LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli
upon the occasion of his retirement as an esteemed member of the United
States Army Special Forces Command (Airborne)

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli upon the occasion of his retire-
ment as an esteemed member of the United States Army Special Forces
Command (Airborne), to be celebrated at a Retirement Ceremony in his
honor on Monday, June 25, 2012, at U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Headquarters, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli is a native of Queens,
New York; upon graduation from St. John's University in 1992, he was
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry; and
WHEREAS, He served as an Infantry Officer with the 1st Battalion, 22nd
Infantry, 10th Mountain Division, New York from 1993-1996 serving as a
Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Adjutant;
and
WHEREAS, During that time, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli
participated in Operation Continue Hope in Somalia and Operation Restore
Democracy in Haiti; he later served as a Company Commander in 10th Moun-
tain Division and at the Infantry Training Brigade, Fort Benning, Geor-
gia where he commanded E Company, 54th Infantry Regiment; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli completed the Special
Forces Qualification Course in 1998 and was assigned to the 2nd Battal-
ion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina,
where he served as a Detachment Commander for ODA's 352, 356 (CIF- CINC
Inextremis Force), ODA 364, and as a Company Executive Officer; and
WHEREAS, During this period, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli
participated in Operation Joint Forge Bosnia, Operation Focus Relief
Nigeria and served two tours of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom
(OEF), Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Upon returning from Afghanistan in 2003, Lieutenant Colonel
Robert C. Castelli attended advanced civil schooling where he earned a
Master's Degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School
of Government at Harvard University; and
WHEREAS, Upon reassignment to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2004,
Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli served as the United States Army
Special Operations Command Deputy Inspector General and Chief of the
Investigations Division; and
WHEREAS, Following this assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C.
Castelli was reassigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at
Ft. Bragg; while in 7th Group, he served as a Group S3 Plans Officer,
and a Company Commander and Battalion Executive Officer for the 1st
Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne); and
WHEREAS, While assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne),
Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli deployed Colombia in support of
Operation Willing Spirit and completed his third tour in Afghanistan as
a Company Commander and Special Operations Task Force Director for
SOTF-71; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return from OEF X, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C.
Castelli was requested to serve as a Military Advisor on Afghanistan and
Colombia to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
and Low Intensity Conflict at the Pentagon; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli served as the senior
Special Forces policy advisor and deployed to Afghanistan as the
CFSOCC-A J5 and SOF advisor to the Strategic Advisory Group for COMISAF;
and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli was reassigned to Ft.
Bragg, in 2010 and has served with distinction as the United States Army
Special Forces Command (Airborne) Inspector General until his retirement
in September of 2012; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished officer's military schools and education
include the Infantry Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Air Assault
School, Airborne School, Ranger School, Special Forces Qualification
Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and
Exploitation Techniques Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape
School, Combined Arms and Services Staff Course, Command and General
Staff Course, Sniper Employment Officers Course, and the Jumpmaster
Course; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli's awards and deco-
rations include the Bronze Star Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf
Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with
Five Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achieve-
ment Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal (3rd Award), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service
Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal,
Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Combat
Infantryman's Badge (second award), Senior Parachutist Badge, the Office
of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, and foreign Airborne
wings from the countries of Kuwait, Colombia, Chile, Poland, Estonia,
Germany, and Canada; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who dedicate their lives to military service
merit the commendation and applause of all citizens for their commitment
to the preservation of American freedom; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this opportu-
nity to express its gratitude to Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli,
for the tremendous sacrifices he has made for our Nation and for the
benefit of all Americans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli upon the occasion of his
retirement as an esteemed member of the United States Army Special Forc-
es Command (Airborne); and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Castelli.