Thiells N.Y. resident takes command of the 106th Regiment (Regional Training Institute)
CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, N.Y. — U.S. Army Col. Steven Perry, a resident of Thiells, New York, took command of the New York Army National Guard’s 106th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) during a ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.
Perry replaces outgoing commander Col. William Benton Murphy, who is moving on to serve full-time as the Chief Staff Action Officer for the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia, after leading the school for two years.
Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army, for the New York National Guard, led the traditional handing over of the unit flag. He praised Perry’s leadership ability to guide the unit forward.
"What I ask of you is that you continue to maintain and better the standard of excellence that the RTI has come to be known for here in the State of New York," Natali told Perry.
In his first speech as commander, Perry outlined his commitment to updating training standards while focusing on readiness and family support.
"To the instructors, cadre, and staff of the 106th: You are the backbone of readiness in the New York Army National Guard," Perry said. "We will adapt to changing modern doctrine, innovate our training methods, and maintain the highest standards of professional development. Most importantly, we will take care of our people and our families."
Perry brings a strong background in military police work, state emergency response, and computer security to the position. He joined the military in 2002 through the college ROTC program and became a military police officer in 2004 before returning home to join the New York Army National Guard.
His military career includes overseas tours in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and a cyber security mission. Perry previously served as second-in-command of 53rd Troop Command and led the 104th Military Police Battalion.
In his civilian job, Perry serves as Joint Task Force Commander for the Guard’s mission supporting the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS)—the state agency that runs New York's state prisons and parole system. He holds a master's degree from the National Defense University.
Natali praised the outgoing commander for leaving behind a well-trained and skilled unit.
"Over the last two years, the RTI flawlessly executed grueling, multi-day events designed to replicate real-world warfighting conditions," Natali said. He pointed to the school's 98.5 percent score on its 2025 Army inspection and its work building a training program for Guard members working inside state prisons.
In his farewell speech, Murphy thanked the school's instructors for their direct impact on soldiers.
"Our instructors understood that training is not simply an administrative requirement," Murphy said. "It is a responsibility to the soldiers who may, one day, depend on that knowledge to accomplish a mission."
Murphy first joined the military as an enlisted soldier in 1998 before becoming an infantry officer through the University of Connecticut in 2002. His career includes leading the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment during a deployment to Ukraine and leading a multinational training group in Germany.
Following his speech, Natali presented Murphy with the Legion of Merit award for his service.
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