Isabel Smith of Goshen promoted to Colonel in Army National Guard

CAMP SMITH, CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. — Isabel Smith, a Goshen resident and an Iraq War veteran, was promoted to Colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a Ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Smith, who has served in the military for 31 years, is currently assigned as the Chief of Staff for the 53rd Troop Command, a unit responsible for over 4,000 troops based across New York.
"I am humbled and excited about this amazing opportunity," she said. "I have come full circle because the 53rd Troop Command is the unit I started when I was a Sergeant."
The 53rd Troop Command provides command and administrative support for military police, engineer, and logistics support units located throughout New York State. These units play a key role when the New York National Guard responds to weather emergencies, like Superstorm Sandy.
She and her husband, Peter, have six daughters, Kassandra, Jessica, Shannon, Antoinette, Amelia, Karissa, and one son, Jamarr.
Smith served in Iraq in 2010 and 2011 as Deputy Team Chief at Iraq Police National Headquarters in Baghdad.
Honors and educationHer awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Smith received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of her service in her last job, as executive officer for the Adjutant General of New York, the commander of the New York National Guard.
She enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 1989 and served as a full-time enlisted Soldier for nine years before being commissioned through Officer Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1995.
She is a full-time Army National Guard officer and has served in a number of positions, including Assistant Operations Officer for a Rear Area Command Post, Headquarters Detachment Commander, Commander of the 369 Special Troops Battalion, Personnel Officer, Administrative Officer, Deputy Director of Logistics for the New York National Guard, and Executive Officer to the Adjutant General of New York.
Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Saint Mary College and a Master's of Science in Education in Counseling and Development from Long Island University. She is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a Master's degree in Strategic Studies and the Army Command and General Staff College, as well as the Army's Quartermaster Basic and Advanced Courses.