Turkeys perch high in the trees overlooking the Minuteman statue at Fraine Barracks on Nov. 19. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Kyle Gensburger, security officer for the State of North Dakota)
Contents
- Welcome Home - 119th Wing
- Welcome Home - 142nd Engineer Battalion
- Welcome Home Staff Sgt. Azure
- Bronze De Fleury Medal
- UAS Joint Search and Rescue Training
- Da Guards Podcast
- Joint Counter UAS Training
- ND1000
- Holiday Safety
- Strengthening yourself this Thanksgiving
- The Army DEOCS Final
- Scouts Visit 164th Regional Training Institute
- Command Sgt. Maj. Sayler Retires
- Blaze Retires
- Sgt. First Class Geigle Retires
- Recruiting at Fargo Dome
- Veterans Voices
- Veterans Stand Down
- Your Burial Benefits
- Wreaths Across America
- Family Christmas Events
Welcome Home - 119th Wing
Welcome Home - 142nd Engineer Battalion
Welcome Home Staff Sgt. Azure
U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Sheldon Azure returned home from a yearlong deployment in Africa on Sept. 17. While on mission, he worked with the Joint Special Operations Task Force in Support of Octave Shield in Somalia.
Bronze De Fleury Medal
U.S. Army Maj. Joseph Terveen and Command Sgt. Maj. Kendall Struxness of the 142nd Engineer Battalion, who mobilized to the U.S. southern border, were awarded the de Fleury Medal by their battalion commander, Lt. Col. Ryan Kaufman, near Laredo, Texas, on Sept. 19 for their professional excellence as engineers. (Photos by Spc. Ashley Trudel, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
The de Fleury Medal honors and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Army Engineering. It also emphasizes the history, customs, and traditions of the Corps of Engineers community.
UAS Joint Search and Rescue Training
The 119th Wing, University of North Dakota Aerospace, the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, and the North Dakota National Guard participated in joint UAS search and rescue training at Camp Grafton South near McHenry, North Dakota, on Sept. 17–18.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast highlights the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena
Kachena enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 2000 as a stinger crewmember and is now the state command sergeant major. He has served in leadership positions, including first sergeant, battalion and brigade operations noncommissioned officer, and commandant of the 164th Regional Training Institute. He has also deployed to Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2011. He also served in the National Capital Region in 2013.
Joint Counter UAS Training
The North Dakota Air National Guard, Army National Guard, University of North Dakota Aerospace and Grand Forks Air Force Base teamed up to train on locating and tracking small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at Gorman Field near Grand Forks, North Dakota, on July 17–18.
ND1000
Holiday Safety
From late November to mid-January, when families gather, parties are scheduled, and travel spikes, safety should be top of mind. The following is tried-and-true advice to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the season. (Information provided by Lt. Col. Michael Champagne, State Safety Officer)
Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared If you're traveling this year, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest, and be prepared for any emergency. According to the National Safety Council (NSC) statistics, traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any significant form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. Hundreds of people die every year in crashes on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, according to NSC’s Injury Facts. Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of these fatalities.
Stay safe on the roads over the holidays — and every day:
- Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you
- Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving
- Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled
- Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit
- Practice defensive driving
- Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment
Strengthening yourself this Thanksgiving
Self-care is not a luxury for service members; it is a mission-essential task that strengthens readiness, resilience, and overall well-being. In the North Dakota National Guard, you carry unique responsibilities that affect not only your own life but the lives of your teammates, families, and communities. Stress, uncertainty, and long stretches of high operational tempo take a toll. Service members who actively nurture their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being become better prepared to lead, respond effectively, and contribute to mission success, and to improve their overall quality of life. Self-care is a holistic concept emphasized by the Total Force Fitness. It is both a personal commitment and a professional responsibility. (Information provided by from Ron Murray, Integrated Primary Prevention Specialist. This information includes elements of AI-generated content, which were reviewed and edited by relevant DoW personnel to verify appropriateness and compliance with DoW policies and guidance.)
Gratitude is one of the most potent and underutilized forms of self-care, and it is entirely free. Practicing gratitude does not erase challenges, but it changes how our brain interprets them. It helps us shift from “What’s going wrong?” to “What’s still going right?” Research shows that gratitude builds optimism, enhances emotional regulation, strengthens critical thinking skills, and reduces stress. Whether it’s writing down three things you appreciate at the end of the day, thanking someone who quietly supports you behind the scenes, or taking a moment to recognize small wins, it will build psychological armor. It strengthens resilience in ways that compound over time. Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
Another way to care for yourself is nurturing healthy, supportive relationships at home, at work, and in your units. The past few months have reminded many families of the actual value of connection. Healthy relationships buffer stress, improve emotional well-being, and create a foundation of trust that carries us through difficult moments and gives our lives purpose and meaning. For Guard members, these connections can be as simple as communicating openly with loved ones, reaching out to a battle buddy or wingman who seems quiet, or choosing to listen before responding. Purposefully nurturing your relationships not only boosts morale but also strengthens the North Dakota National Guard's mission by fostering more unified, flexible teams.
Every Soldier and Airman can practice these skills daily and model them for those they love. You can strengthen your self-care by setting small, achievable goals: Prioritize sleep and recovery: aim for consistent rest to support mood, focus, and physical readiness. Stay physically active: even 10–15 minutes of movement can boost energy and reduce stress. Schedule quiet time: use a brief pause, breathing exercise, or moment of reflection to reset your thinking. Communicate openly with loved ones: share what you are feeling, listen actively, and check in regularly. Connect with a battle buddy or wingman: reach out to someone who might need support or encouragement. Limit negative inputs: reduce exposure to conversations, social media, or environments that drain your energy. Ask for help when you need it: Chaplains, Behavioral Professionals, and leaders are ready to support you.
When you invest in your well-being, you’re also investing in your family, your unit, and the readiness of the North Dakota National Guard. The best version of you strengthens everyone around you.
The Army DEOCS Final
The Army DEOCS Final refers to the results and data analysis of the Defense Organizational Climate Survey, a tool used by the Department of War to assess unit and organizational climate.
Scouts Visit 164th Regional Training Institute
Forty-seven Scouts completed merit badges within the 164th Regional Training Institute. The Institute's instructors and some students assisted in orienteering, drafting, home repairs, and plumbing. Over 100 Scouts attended the event at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. Maj. Bradley Bergeron, 164th Regional Training Institute)
The Scouts who attend the merit badge weekend come from all over North Dakota. They arrived on Nov 19 and completed most of the training on 20th, some required a few hours on Sunday.
Command Sgt. Maj. Sayler Retires
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Sayler, North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention, received the North Dakota National Guard Legion of Merit Medal at a retirement ceremony for Staff Sgt. Lucus Zabka at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, North Dakota, on Oct. 30. (U.S. Army National Guard photos courtesy of North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting social media)
Sayler received the North Dakota National Guard Legion of Merit Medal from Lt. Col. Chance Schaffner, North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention, commander, with the State Meritorious Service Medal at his retirement at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck.
Sayler was celebrated for his over 32-year career of military service.
His strategic vision and mentorship were instrumental in achieving unprecedented recruiting success, resulting in the enlistment of 1,453 Soldiers, including over 140 lawful permanent residents from more than 35 nations.
Blaze Retires
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Candice Blaze concluded a 29-year career with the North Dakota Air National Guard with a retirement ceremony with the 119th Wing at the North Dakota Air National Guard base on Nov. 13. (U.S. Air National Guard photos courtesy of North Dakota Air National Guard social media)
Chief Blaze was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal, a certificate of retirement, and a letter of gratitude from the commander. She served in roles including services, contracting, base training, and concluded her career as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 119th Force Support Squadron.
Sgt. First Class Geigle Retires
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Keith Geigle, a recruiter with the North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, received the Meritorious Service Medal during a retirement ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center in North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard photos courtesy of North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting social media)
U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Keith Geigle received the Meritorious Service Medal from Lt. Col. Chance Schaffner, North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention, commander, at his retirement at the Fargo Readiness Center.
Geigle was celebrated for his 27-year career of military service.
Recruiting at Fargo Dome
The North Dakota National Guard Recruiting and Retention team attended the 2025 Dakota Bowl at the Fargo Dome, Fargo, North Dakota, Nov. 14. (Photos courtesy of North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting social media)
Veterans Voices
Cpt. Joshua Seil, North Dakota National Guard Medical Detachment
Nikki Frohlich, North Dakota National Guard Military Outreach
Veterans Stand Down
The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support and ND Cares assisted in supporting a Central Dakota Veterans Stand Down at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, North Dakota, Oct. 16. (National Guard photos by ND Cares social media)
The original Stand Down for Veterans was modeled after a concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. Stand Downs currently hold agencies, organizations, and educational materials that benefit all Veterans, Service Members, and Families.
Your Burial Benefits
The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, along with Eastgate and Parkway Funeral and Cremation Service, hosted a Veterans "Know Your Burial Benefits" class at the Holiday Inn in Bismarck, North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Visitors learned how to make arrangements and the services available to them as veterans.
Wreaths Across America
The Bismarck Civil Air Patrol will be sponsoring Wreaths Across America at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 13 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan, North Dakota.