Press Release Index
CONTACT: Capt. Jeffrey Oakes, (518) 926-9048
FOR RELEASE: Saturday, Apr 02, 2011

New Leadership for Buffalo-Based Brigade of New York Army National

Media Advisory

BUFFALO, NY (04/01/2011)-- New York Army National Guard Col. Reginald D. Sanders turns over command of the 153rd Troop Command to Lt. Colonel James M. Pabis here this Saturday. Both men are veterans of the war in Iraq. WHAT: Formal change of command ceremony to recognize the transfer of authority from Col. Reginald Sanders to Lt. Col. James Pabis. WHO: Col. Reginald Sanders (the outgoing commander), Lt. Colonel James M. Pabis (the incoming commander), and representatives of the units that comprise the 153rd Troop Command. WHEN: 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 2nd 2011. WHERE: New York Army National Guard Armory, 184 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, N.Y. Media Opportunity: Media members seeking access to this secure facility for the April 2nd Change of Command Ceremony need to contact Capt. Jeffrey Oakes at (518) 926-9048. Background: The Change of Command Ceremony dates back to the days in which a military unit’s flag marked its position in the line of battle. The colors were always near the commander, so troops knew where to rally on the battlefield. Today the transfer of the colors marks a change in the unit and gives the soldiers their first opportunity to see and hear their new leader. The change of command ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the outgoing commander and the Soldiers who served under him. In addition, the ceremony identifies the new commander to the Soldiers, so they can follow him on the field of battle. Col. Reginald D. Sanders Sanders entered the Army as a private after graduating from Western New England College in 1983. In 1985 he attended the Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer in 1985, serving in the 10th Mountain Division until 1989. In 1989 he left active duty and joined the New York Army National Guard’s 145th Maintenance Company, based at Fort Drum. He also began a civilian career as a manager at Chrysler, retiring as international customer relations manager for Europe in 2008 prior to retiring. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a liaison officer for the 42nd Infantry Division in 2004 and 2005, and also served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He has served as a logistics training officer for the Albanian Army. His military positions include 27th Brigade Combat Team Rear Detachment Commander, Company Commander, and Brigade Logistics Officer, and commander of the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He has earned an Associate in Business Administration in 1981, from Holyoke Community College, in Holyoke Massachusetts, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 1983, from Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a Master of Business Administration in 1997, from State University of Buffalo. He is currently in the final stage of earning his PhD in the area of Human resources and Leadership at North Central University. He and his wife have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. Two of his children are in the New York Army National Guard. Lt. Col. James M. Pabis James Pabis was commissioned into the US Army Military Police Corps in April 1991 out of ROTC from Northeastern University. He went on to serve with the 98th Division of the United States Army Reserve as the Assistant S3, Company XO and Company Commander until March 2001. In March 2001 he transferred to the NYARNG and served as the Secretary of the General Staff for the Commanding General of the NYARNG and other assignments within the State HQ. From March 2003 until June 2004, LTC Pabis served as a Brigade Engineer with the 27th Infantry Brigade. In June 2004, he took over as the Commander of the 272 MP Brigade Liaison Detachment, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from June 2006-August 2007. Upon his return, he transferred to the 501st EOD Battalion where he served as Commander until October 2009. Since then he has been serving as the Provost Marshal for the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters in Troy, N.Y. Pabis’ awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal (with oak cluster), Army Achievement Metal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 3 oak clusters), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star and the Army Service Ribbon. His military education includes MP Officer Basic Course, the Engineer Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and Command and General Staff College. He is currently enrolled in the War College. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1991 with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and completed his Master of Business Administration from Sage Graduate School in 1996. Pabis is the President of Saratoga Source, LLC, a professional recruiting firm out of Saratoga Springs where he lives with his wife Sandra E. Pabis and son Chandler. He has served as the Chairman of the Board for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and is currently a board member of the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation. He is also a board member of the Saratoga National Bank Community Advisory Board and is involved with numerous other not for profit boards. The 153rd Troop Command Headquarters 153rd Troop Command is a component of the New York Army National Guard’s 53rd Troop Command, a major subordinate headquarters, and is one of four brigade-level headquarters in the New York Army National Guard. The 153rd is responsible for overseeing nearly 1,800 Soldiers (an Engineer Battalion, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Battalion, Military Police Battalion, a Military Police Liaison Detachment, and Transportation Company). In a state emergency the 153rd Troop Command is responsible for commanding both Army and Air National Guard units in 18 Western New York counties. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© NYS DMNA Press Release:New Leadership for Buffalo-Based Brigade of New York Army National
URL: https://dmna.ny.gov/pressroom/?id=1301788891
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Page Last Modified: Apr 02, 2011