New York Guardsman, former tanker, promoted on top of Abrams while deployed to Germany

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Angelo E. Gelster, an ammunition specialist assigned to Task Force Orion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, is promoted during a ceremony atop an M1A2 Abrams tank in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 20, 2023. Gelster, a former armor crewmember who operated M1A1 Abrams tanks with the now-disbanded 127th Armor Regiment, is deployed to Germany in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine mission to ensure the combat effectiveness of Ukrainian military personnel training in Germany. (U.S. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna)  

GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, GERMANY

03.02.2023

Story by Maj. Avery Schneider 

New York National Guard

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany—U.S. Army Sgt. Angelo E. Gelster, a Cheektowaga Resident, has been promoted to Staff Sgt. in the New York National Guard.

Gelster, an ammunition specialist currently deployed to Grafenwoehr, Germany with Task Force Orion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, received the promotion atop an M1A2 Abrams tank on Feb. 20, 2023.

It is not uncommon for military service members to make special requests for promotion and re-enlistment ceremonies. When Gelster found out his promotion was approved, he knew exactly what he wanted to ask for – a ceremony on top of a tank.

“It went back to my roots,” Gelster said. “Coming in through tanks and then going to be cavalry.”

Gelster enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2004 as an armor crewman with the 127th Armor Regiment. He spent two years operating the previous M1A1 variant of the Abrams.

The unit’s history dated back to 1838, with service in the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. But when the Army underwent a reorganization in 2006, the 127th was disbanded and their tanks left New York. The unit was directly succeeded by 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, where Gelster has spent most of his nearly 18 years of service up to now. He hasn’t been around active tanks since then.

“They’re awesome,” he said. “They’re big. They go boom. It’s not hard to explain.”

Since July 2022, Gelster has been deployed with New York’s Task Force Orion in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine mission. The unit ensures the combat effectiveness of Ukrainian military personnel training on systems and equipment issued under the United States’ Presidential Drawdown Authority.

The Task Force works alongside 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, supporting combined arms training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Brigade’s 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment supplied the M1A2 Abrams tank for Gelster’s ceremony.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability and development potential. They recognize the best-qualified Citizen Soldiers to continue careers in the New York Army National Guard.

“Angelo’s outstanding contributions to the New York National Guard at home in his community and on deployment overseas are a sure sign that he will excel in his new rank,” said Col. William Murphy, commander of Task Force Orion.

When his deployment is complete, Gelster’s new rank will take him to the New York Army National Guard’s 642nd Aviation Support Battalion in Rochester.

He said he worked hard to get his promotion, and tells other Soldiers who aim to advance their careers that it takes a lot of determination and knowledge.

“Work hard. Fight for yourself,” he said. “Nobody’s just going to give it to you.”

• Date Taken: 03.02.2023
• Date Posted: 03.01.2023 14:41
• Story ID: 439438
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, DE
• Hometown: CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK, US