New York Army Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Victoria Whitley, a New Windsor resident and North Carolina native, retires after 35 years of service

CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. — New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Victoria Whitley, a Washington, D.C., native, ended her 35-year Army career on Thursday, Oct. 1, during a ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor.

Whitley, a veteran of the Iraq War and a deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2015-2016, has served as the senior property book accounting technician for the 53rd Troop Command since 2016.

In that role, Whitley was responsible for the day-to-day oversight of equipment and gear across upstate New York valued at more than $1.3 billion.

Whitley, whose family is originally from North Carolina, was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She enlisted in the active-duty Army in 1991 and made her home in New Windsor.

Family members, friends, and fellow Soldiers attended the retirement ceremony to celebrate her career.

Brig. Gen. Jason Lefton, the commander of the 53rd Troop Command, presided over the ceremony and praised Whitley as an exceptional officer who ensured readiness and accountability.

"For the last decade, she's been a pivotal part of the 53rd Troop Command as the senior property accountable officer," Lefton said.

When Whitley took on her role, she brought discipline to property accountability across the organization, Lefton said. The massive portfolio she managed included vehicles, weapons, electrical systems, and communications equipment.

"It represents combat power," Lefton said. "It represents capability and soldier care."

Lefton noted that Whitley's meticulous oversight meant that commanders always knew their equipment was ready to be placed in the hands of Soldiers.

"When our soldiers are called on, we know they are ready, that they have their equipment accounted for, and that they are ready to do their job," he added.

In her remarks, Whitley thanked her family, friends, and her fellow Soldiers for their support over the years.

"As I prepare to retire, I know I'm leaving behind a profession that has been a huge part of my life for 35 years," Whitley said.

Whitley noted that it has been a great career and that she was proud to be part of the organization.

"I'm going to miss the camaraderie, I'm going to miss the people," she added. "But most of all, I will miss being part of something bigger than myself."

She explained that she didn't view the ceremony as a final farewell, but rather as a moment of deep gratitude.

"Today, I don't see this as saying goodbye to the Army as much as I am saying thank you for the opportunity, thank you for the friendship, and thank you for the memories," she said.

During the event, Whitley was recognized for her mentorship and dedication but took the opportunity to recognize others with the Charity Adams Leadership Award.

Whitley created the award—named for the first African-American woman to command a Women's Army Auxiliary Corps battalion—and presented it to retired Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith, Lt. Col. Phyonne Reynolds, and Maj. Simone Adams Mitchell.

Whitley also presented tokens of appreciation to the warrant officers and non-commissioned officers who supported her, offering special recognition to Lt. Col. David Myones, Chief Warrant Officers 4 Ruben Rodriguez and Peter Padilla.

Whitley enlisted in the military on May 13, 1991, and served on active duty as an automated logistics specialist. She completed an overseas tour in the Republic of Korea, maintaining logistics supplies for combat service operations.

Following her active duty service, Whitley joined the North Carolina Army National Guard and reclassified as a civilian supply specialist.

In 2004, she deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she provided technical communications and kept computer and radio networks running during tough combat conditions.

In April 2007, she was appointed as a warrant officer in the New York Army National Guard. She was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 in 2009, Chief Warrant Officer 3 in 2015, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 2020.

As a National Guard Soldier, Whitley served in a variety of logistics positions, including senior property book technician for the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Company, where she ran property logistics for a 2015–2016 deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

As the senior property book officer at Camp Smith, she established command-wide regularization training, moved property records to global computer systems, and mentored newer property officers.

Whitley holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trident University, earned in 2012, and is a graduate of the Warrant Officer Advanced Course.

Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Driver and Mechanic Badge with wheeled vehicle clasp, the New York State Long and Faithful Service Award, and the New York State Medal for Humane Service.

She received the Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony and is set to receive the Legion of Merit in recognition of her exceptional career accomplishments.

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