Full Biography

New York Naval Militia (NYNM) Rear Admiral (Lower Half) and Captain (USNR Ret) Michael F. Perry graduated from SUNY Albany in 1982 with a B.A. in Political Science and from Rockefeller College in 1985 with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  He subsequently and simultaneously received a Direct Commission as an Ensign in the Supply Corps of the USNR and NYNM in 1991 at the height of Operation Desert Storm and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in 2009 and the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education (JPME II) program of the National Defense University in 2015.  A Seabee Combat Warfare, Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps Officer, and Major Command qualified officer, Admiral Perry’s military decorations also include numerous New York State military awards for service on State Active Duty in support of the NYNM, which is a Federally recognized component of the NY Army National Guard and direct predecessor of the USNR, including the NYS Aid to Civil Authority (7 awards), Humane Service, Military Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards) and the Defense of Liberty Medal with WTC device for service at Ground Zero in the wake of 9-11.  He retired as Captain in the USNR in 2019 but remains active with the NYNM.  Most recently, he was promoted to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) in the NYNM by The Adjutant General of NYS in October of 2023 and 24th Commander of the NYNM by NYS Governor Kathy Hochul in November of 2024.  The NYNM is comprised of an over 3,200 member joint force of USN, USMC, and USCG Reservists (95%) and veterans (up to 5%) who are eleigible for State, as well as Federal, activation during times of crisis and a fleet of 11 patrol boats.