New York Army National Guard Maj. Matthew Williams, a Ballston Spa resident, assumes command of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 53rd Troop Command

CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. — New York Army National Guard Maj. Matthew Williams, a Ballston Spa resident, assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 53rd Troop Command during an Oct. 24, 2026 ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site, near Peekskill.

Williams replaced Maj. James Jean-Baptiste, who led the detachment since 2022.

HHD, 53rd Troop Command is headquartered in Cortlandt Manor, near Peekskill, and provides command, administrative, and staff support for the 53rd Troop Command, one of two New York Army National Guard general-officer commands. It traces its lineage to 1886 as the 3rd Brigade of the New York State Militia and earned its numerical designation as the 53rd Infantry Brigade fighting in France and Belgium during World War I.

The detachment prepares units for federal overseas deployments and coordinates National Guard disaster response and homeland security operations across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.

Lt. Col. Justin Couts, the chief of staff of the 53rd Troop Command, said that Jean-Baptiste invested a considerable amount of time to ensure each Soldiers’ talents were best applied to meeting the unit’s mission.

“Major Jean-Baptiste made significant improvements in the performance and competencies of the 53d Troop Command Staff, specifically in their abilities to conduct National Guard civil support operations,” Couts said.

Reflecting on his time with the detachment, Jean-Baptiste described his time in command as one of the most rewarding assignments on his 16-year career.

“When I assumed command in September 2022, I understood the responsibility that came with the position,” Jean-Baptiste said. “What I did not fully appreciate at the time was how much this organization, and more importantly, the people in it, would come to mean to me.”

Jean-Baptiste emphasized that caring for Soldiers and their families remained central to his leadership philosophy.

“It is the belief that every Soldier matters, that leadership is about service, and that taking care of people is not separate from accomplishing the mission - it is how we accomplish the mission,” he said.

During the ceremony the detachment’s guidon, or colors, was transferred from Jean-Baptiste to Williams.

Williams expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the detachment and thanked senior leadership for their trust and confidence.

Couts said he was confident that Williams would continue to lead the headquarters on the right path and, during Williams’ remarks, he thanked Couts for the trust and immense privilege of leading the formation.

Williams said. “I will not take this responsibility lightly.”

He first enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2011 and subsequently earned his commission in the Chemical Corps through Federal Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Shortly after commissioning, Williams served with the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, and deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He deployed again in 2017 to Ukraine in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission and returned in 2018 to the 42nd Infantry Division as the Division Force Management Officer.

His most recent deployment in 2025 was with the 42nd Infantry Division in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Epic Fury.

Williams has earned numerous awards and ribbons, with the highest being the Bronze Star Medal.

He also recognized Jean-Baptiste for his leadership and the excellent condition of the detachment as he assumed command.

“To Major Jean-Baptiste, thank you for your outstanding leadership and for handing over a ready, and disciplined organization,” Williams said. “I wish you the absolute best on your next assignment.”

Lastly, he addressed the Soldiers and thanked them for accepting him as their new commander, demonstrated during the transition process.

“It is my honor to stand in your ranks and join your team,” Williams said. “I look forward to training, working, and learning alongside you.”

Williams graduated from State University of New York at Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science.

He works as the Occupational Safety and Health Specialist for the New York Army National Guard overseeing health and safety issues across all facilities.

He and his wife Jaime have two children.

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