Army ROTC cadets commissioned as second lieutenants
Two cadets from Capital Region communities have been commissioned as Army second lieutenants upon completion of a Reserve Officers Training Corps program through Siena’s College’s Mohawk Battalion.
Alyssa Griffith of Cohoes and Samuel Goldenberg of Schuylerville began their military careers as officers in the New York Army National Guard following the oath and pinning of new rank with family and friends in attendance during a ceremony at the New York National Guard’s Joint Forces Headquarters in Latham.
The ROTC Mohawk Battalion oversees cadet training for future officers at Siena College, University at Albany, Hudson Valley Community College, RPI and Union College.
The cadets, who completed undergraduate studies and received degrees in 2018, will go on to serve in Army National Guard units.
Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general for New York and commander of the New York Army National Guard, welcomed the two new officers and gave the two lieutenants his initial thoughts on the start of their military careers. “Receiving your commission as a second lieutenant is a momentous occasion, one of joy and celebration, but also of great responsibility,” Shields said. “You must always uphold the highest standards and personal discipline, in and out of uniform, every hour of the day.”
Army Lt. Col. Andrew Beal, the professor of Military Science from the ROTC Mohawk Battalion, based at Siena College, administered the officers’ oath.
The new Army officers are not the only ones serving in the military in their families.
Griffith, the daughter of Vedanta Griffith, has a brother and sister, Spcs. Alaena and Robert Griffith, serving in the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters in Troy.
Goldenberg is the son of New York Army National Guard Col. Richard Goldenberg, a member of the Joint Force Headquarters staff, and Kelly Goldenberg.
Griffith is a 2018 graduate of the University at Albany with a degree in history.
After graduation from the Mount Ellis Academy in Bozeman, Mont., she enlisted into the Montana National Guard in 2013 and spent time with Detachment 1, Company C, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation in Helena, Mont. She then transferred to the New York National Guard where she first served with Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation in Latham. In 2015 she transferred to the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade Headquarters as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet during her ROTC training.
She is a former cadet command sergeant major of the Mohawk Battalion.
Following attendance at the Aviation Basic Officer Leadership Course and Aviation Rotary Wing Qualification Course at Fort Rucker, Ala., she will serve as a platoon leader and pilot with the New York Army National Guard’s Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation in Latham.
Goldenberg is a 2013 graduate of Schuylerville High School. He received an undergraduate degree in physics from Albany State in 2016 and is a 2018 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, where he earned an undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering.
He is a former cadet commander of the Mohawk Battalion.
He relocates to Fort Worth, Texas to begin a career as a project engineer with the Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Following attendance at the Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., he will serve as a combat engineer in the Texas Army National Guard’s 111th Engineer Battalion in Abilene, Texas.
Wounded Warrior Snowfest
STRIDE Adaptive Sports will hold its 14th annual Wounded Warrior Snowfest welcome ceremony from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 235 Hoosick St., Troy.
The Snowfest will enable disabled veterans and their families to enjoy four days of skiing or snowboarding as well as family activities at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Mass. With the support of STRIDE’S adaptive programs, veterans will learn how to overcome the challenges of injury and enjoy independence and freedom through sport.
Cost for the welcome ceremony dinner is $40 per person, $400 for table of 10 and $500 for VIP table of 10. Corporate sponsorships are available; contact Mary Ellen Whitney at mwhitney@stride. org or 518-598-1279.
For more information about STRIDE, the Wounded Warrior programs, or any of their adaptive sport and recreation programs, contact Mary Ellen Whitney at mwhitney@stride.org or 518-598-1279.
Donations can be made payable to STRIDE Adaptive Sports and sent to 4482 NY Highway 150, West Sand Lake, NY 12196.