Major General Shields replaces Major General Anthony German,
an Air National Guard officer, who was named Adjutant General in April, 2016
and left the position on September 30. German will serve as a traditional
National Guard officer in Washington, D.C. before retiring after 35 years of
military service later this year.
"Major General Raymond F. Shields, Jr. is an
outstanding leader who has distinguished himself in service overseas and played
a key role in the New York National Guard's response to weather emergencies
across the state and the nation," Governor Cuomo said. "His wealth of
experience and knowledge in military affairs makes him the ideal candidate to
lead the nearly 20,000 men and women who serve in our state's military forces
and serve the people of New York. I thank Major General Anthony German for his
service as Adjutant General and his many contributions to New York. He truly
embodies the service and leadership that the National Guard stands for and I
wish him the best in this next chapter."
Major General Raymond F. Shields, Jr. said, "I am truly
honored by the confidence that Governor Cuomo has shown in me and I look
forward to working with the men and women of the New York National Guard, the
Naval Militia and the New York Guard to improve readiness and our ability to
provide emergency responses when called by the Governor."
Major General Shields, a resident of Saratoga Springs, was
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the New York Army National Guard through
the Reserve Officers Training Corps program in May of 1983 after graduating
from the State University of New York at Albany.
He has served in a variety of military positions, including
platoon leader, infantry company commander, battalion staff officer, battalion
commander, brigade staff officer, brigade executive officer and deputy
commander, brigade Chief of Staff, New York Army National Guard Chief of Staff
and New York National Guard Director of Joint Staff.
Major General Shields served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009
as Chief of Staff for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Combined Joint
Task Force Phoenix, a NATO training mission which was led by the 27th brigade.
During his service, Major General Shields has been involved
in the New York National Guard response to Superstorm Sandy, several
snowstorms, Lake Ontario flood control missions, the New York National Guard
response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017 and the response to
Hurricane Florence earlier this year.
Major General Shields holds a bachelor's degree in history
from SUNY Albany; a master's degree in public administration from Marist
College, and a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army
War College.
His military education includes the Army Strategic Education
Program, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, the
National Security Studies Management Course at Syracuse University, the Army
Senior Leader Development Program, and the General and Flag Officer Homeland
Security Executive Seminar taught by Harvard University.
Major General Shields' awards include the Legion of Merit,
the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service
Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and the Combat Infantryman
Badge.
The New York Military Forces consist of 10,000 members of
the New York Army National Guard, 5,800 members of the New York Air National
Guard, 2,500 people who serve in the New York Naval Militia and 500 members of
the New York Guard, the state's volunteer self-defense force.
