View Static Version

TAG Line February 27, 2023

Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. Army Component Command, squeezes a Lifesaver Resuscitator Bag, with Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. National Guard state command sergeant major, assisting during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Contents

Lifesaving Course

Members of the N.D. National Guard participated in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Instructors Steven Featherston, Bismarck Airport fire captain, and Lydia Citta, Bismarck rural fire fighter, provided hands on training with special electronic manikins. Realistic to the eye and touch they also provide instant feedback to both the instructors and students by using a CPR rate monitor with visual and auditory guides.

Steven Featherston, Bismarck Airport fire captain, center, demonstrates cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during a class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023.

Performing immediate high-quality CPR (including Hands-Only CPR) plus the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can double, or even triple, survival rates.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Braken, Joint Force Headquarters, performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on electronic manikin during a class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023.

Left to right, Sgt. First Class Derek Delorme, Staff Sgt. Nathan Reierson, Joint Force Headquarters, and Sgt. First Class Brett Gentile, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, practice working together as a team during a lifesaving class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023.

The soldiers were taught they should provide compressions of 100 - 120 beats per minute when administering CPR.

N.D. Guard soldiers practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during a class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kerry Beck, Joint Force Headquaters, right, and Spc. Amber Hunsaker, 131st Military Police Battalion, practice infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023.

With more than 350,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the U.S., this training has the potential to save thousands of lives.

N.D. National Guard soldiers train on lifesaving measures during a class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 22, 2023.

Distinguished Graduates

Master Sgt. Laura Balliet

Master Sgt. Laura Balliet recently completed the Equal Opportunity Advisor, Reserve Component Course, at the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Feb. 17, 2023. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The course consisted of completion of a Distance Learning (Phase I) and a 27-day resident course (Phase II). Balliet was one of three distinguished graduates. She serves as the equal opportunity advisor for the Army Element, N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters.

Master Sgt. Laura Balliet, a student in the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute’s Equal Opportunity Advisor Reserve Component Course, receives the DEOMI distinguished graduate award during the EOARCC Class 23-1 graduation ceremony on Feb. 17, 2023, at Patrick Space Force, Florida. (Photo by Michael Marks, DEOMI Photographer)

The Equal Opportunity Program manages the discrimination complaint system as it relates to claims based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, and sexual orientation. All individuals are entitled to be treated fairly and a work environment free from discriminatory practices.

Master Sgt. Laura Balliet's Distinguished Graduate plaque.

The N.D. National Guard provides fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory treatment of all members through its policy designed to maintain and improve morale and productivity, foster unit cohesion and readiness, and increase combat effectiveness.

Maj. Justin Gall

Maj. Justin Gall, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (1-112th AVN) received the Army Achievement Medal for outstanding performance while attending Advanced Operations Course. He finished in the top 10% of his class and was selected as a distinguished graduate. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 1-112th AVN)

Lt. Col. Russ Sundby, commander, 112th Aviation Regiment, right, presents Maj. Justin Gall, the Army Achievement Medal, during an award ceremony in El Paso, Texas, Feb. 17, 2023.

Warrant Officer Promotion

Andrew Stroklund, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (1-112th AVN), was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 3, in a ceremony presided over by Lt. Col. Russ Sundby, 1-112th AVN commander, Feb. 17, 2023, El Paso, Texas. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 1-112th AVN)

Graduation

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Sayler, 1st Sgt. Bradley Bergeron, and Master Sgt. Brock Klettke graduated from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. They completed 2 phases of distance learning in 18 months and a final 2 week resident phase in Ft. Bliss, Texas, February 23, 2023. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Left to right, 1st Sgt. Bradley Bergeron, 164th Regional Training Institute; Master Sgt. Brock Klettke, 164th Regional Training Institute; and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Sayler, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 23, 2023.

Principal Honored by ESGR a Second Time

Bismarck Simle Middle School Principal Russ Riehl was surprised with his second ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard) Patriot Award, Feb. 21, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

N.D. Army National Guard's Maj. Kalli Swenson, a teacher at Simle, nominated Riehl for the Patriot Award twice. The first time was 2016 when she deployed to Afghanistan. When her COVID-19 duties with the National Guard pulled her away from her teaching duties long-term for a second time, she nominated Riehl again. Swenson is assigned to the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Fargo.

Bismarck Simle Middle School Principal Russ Riehl, center, is congratulated by Rob Keller, ESGR public information officer, on the reciept of his second Patriot Award, Feb. 21, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Maj. Kalli Swenson, right, a teacher at Simle, nominated Riehl both times for his support of her National Guard service.

Principal Russ Riehl has created a school culture that gives us the flexibility and confidence to adapt so we can help each other. He trusts us as professionals, and I am grateful to be a part of his team.

Maj. Kalli Swenson

According to the ESGR website, "the Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed."

From the Field Campaign

"From the sky to the ground, we've got you covered."

The N.D. National Guard's Task Force Cajetan first marketing campaign, "From the Field", is underway. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

This campaign encourages Soldiers and Airmen to submit photos, both past and present, including videos of their National Guard experience. To submit Guard training, battle selfies, awards and great scenery use the QR code below or click on bit.ly/NDNG-FTF. Follow the simple instructions online.

Submitted Photos

Staff Sgt. Thomas McAndrews, 119th Security Forces Squadron/816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, standing watch during Operation Allies Refuge, August 2021, Hamid Karazai International Airport Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. McAndrews)

Soldiers perform mass casualty scenario for Combat LifeSaver Course while attending N.D. Army National Guard state schools at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, N.D., Feb. 12, 2023. (Photo by Spc. Mackenzie Kotchman, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
Spc. Tyler Henderson, of 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, works on a M1152A1 HMMWV during a mobile mission at Valley City Field Maintenance Shop, Valley City, N.D., Feb. 21, 2023. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Hoffert, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company)

Check back next week for more from the Airmen and Soldiers' point of view!

Please help us make the TAG Line better - Click here for survey or use QR code above

Please include contact information if a response is requested.

Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.

Created By
Charles Highland
NextPrevious