TAG Line January 14, 2022

Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena addresses Soldiers of the 142nd Engineer Battalion after assuming duties as the unit's command sergeant major, Valley City, N.D., Jan. 9, 2022. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rachelle Barendt Klein, 142nd Engineer Battalion)

Changing of the Guard for the 142nd Engineers

Soldiers of the 142nd Engineer Battalion witnessed a change of responsibility ceremony for the unit's command sergeant major at the Valley City armory, Valley City, N.D., Jan. 9, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Rachelle Barendt Klein, 142nd Engineer Battalion)

Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena assumed duties as the battalion's top enlisted Soldier from Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Gietzen in a ceremony presided over by the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Bob Bohl.

Lieutenant Colonel Bob Bohl, left, commander of the 142nd Engineer Battalion, passes the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena, symbolizing the formal change of responsibly for duties as the command sergeant major, Valley City, Jan. 9, 2022.

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After the change of responsibility ceremony, Gietzen was honored for more than 28 years of military service which included deployments to Iraq in 2003 and Kosovo in 2009. In recognition of his service, he was presented with the North Dakota Legion of Merit Medal and the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment's bronze award of the de Fleury Medal.

Top: Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Gietzen and his family listen to Lt. Col. Bob Bohl read a citation at his retirement ceremony, Valley City, Jan. 9, 2022. Right: Bohl, left, presents Gietzen a miniature representation of the 142nd Engineer Battalion's colors and subordinate unit guidons. Left: Bohl congratulates Gietzen after presenting him the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment's bronze award of the de Fleury Medal.

Record Cold Launch

Happy Hooligan Airmen of the 119th Launch and Recovery Element, launched and recovered two MQ-9 Reaper aircraft at the Fargo Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 6, 2022. Temperatures reached minus 16 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the coldest remotely piloted aircraft launch in unit history. (National Guard story and photos by David Lipp, 119th Wing)

Airmen of the 119th Launch and Recovery Element, launched and recovered two MQ-9 Reaper aircraft in sub-freezing temperatures at the Fargo Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 6, 2022.

N.D. Guard Professional Development

Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, led this month's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Jan. 12, 2022. Her briefing, which was livestreamed across the N.D. National Guard, included a discussion of the Commander's Ready and Resilient Council. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The program initiates and develops procedures for implementing N.D. National Guard holistic health promotion and risk reduction strategies, which target resilience, readiness and fitness.

Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, briefed the full-time force during professional development training, Bismarck, Jan. 12, 2021.

Dr. Kirby Schmidtgall, N.D. National Guard Psychological Health program manager, discussed psychological health during professional development training, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Jan. 12, 2021.

Cassie Roness, state consultant, spoke about family health during professional development training, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Jan. 12.

Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard state chaplain, discussed the importance of spiritual health during professional development training, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Jan. 12.

Employee Development Training

Mr. Robert Roehrich, N.D. National Guard equal opportunity manager, Maj. Rachael Berg, N.D. National Guard employee labor relations, and Master Sgt. Myron Huber, N.D. National Guard equal opportunity advisor, presented an engaging and informative presentation on ‘Who's Right? - You Decide", at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 10, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The class which was presented in multiple locations across the state, featured an informal discussion about tools that managers could use to build relationships and connections within the work place. Participants were encouraged to decide who was right in a work-conflict scenario acted out by Berg and Huber.

Top: Major Rachael Berg, N.D. National Guard Labor Relations, gives a presentation on the tools to build relationships and connections, Fraine Barracks, Jan. 10. Bottom left: 1st Lt. Krystle Hanson, taking notes during the presentation at Fraine Barracks, Jan. 10. Bottom right: Robert Roehrich, State Equal Opportunity Manager, speaks with Guard members and civilians during a presentation on the tools to build relationships and connections, Jan 10.

RETIREE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

Members of the N.D. National Guard (NDNG) Retiree Advisory Board (RAB) met online and at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 12, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The RAB, chaired by the deputy adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, is chartered by the NDNG, and staffed by volunteers state-wide. The RAB conducts several meetings a year on behalf of activities and communications benefiting Retirees and Veterans and is responsible for the annual Retirees Appreciation Weekend in September at the Camp Grafton Training Center.

The N.D. National Guard Retiree Advisory Board meets virtually and at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 12, 2022.

Army Field Grade Promotions

Kevin Miller, Joint Force Headquarters, was promoted to colonel during a ceremony, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., on Jan. 9, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Kevin Miller, Joint Force Headquarters, was promoted to colonel during a ceremony, Jan. 9, 2022, at Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, N.D.

Colonel Deb Lein, N.D. National Guard Army chief of staff, left, administes the oath of office newly promoted Col. Kevin Miller, Joint Force Headquarters, during his promotion ceremony, Bismarck, Jan. 9.

Jacob Larson, Joint Force Headquarters, was promoted to lieutenant colonel at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 9, 2022.

Jacob Larson's wife places his new rank on his uniform during his promotion to lieutenant colonel, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 9.

Theodore Smith, Joint Force Headquarters, was promoted to major during a ceremony, Jan. 8, 2022, at Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, N.D.

Theodore Smith's wife places his rank on his uniform during his promotion to major, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Jan. 8.

Chief Labatore Retires

Joint Force Headquarters, conducted a retirement ceremony for Chief Warrant Officer Four Marqui Labatore, deputy director for J-6 Operations, Bismarck, Jan. 8, 2022. Labatore retires after faithfully serving his country and the North Dakota National Guard for over 25 years. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Labatore had one deployment to Iraq and also served as the J-6 within the Joint Operations Center during key training exercises with local and state agencies. He also serves as a member of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Chief Warrant Officer Four Marqui Labatore, Deputy Director J-6 Operations, renders remarks during his retirement ceremony in Bismarck, January 8, 2022.

Chief Warrant Officer Four Marqui Labatore, J-6 operations, poses with his family during his retirement ceremony in Bismarck, Jan. 8, 2022.

APPRECIATION

After this month's professional development, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, recognized three non-commissioned (NCOs) officers with coins at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Jan. 10, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Staff Sgt. Jason Kalvoda, 164th Engineer Battalion, Staff Sgt. Eric Lenertz, 164th Engineer Battalion and Sgt. Cody Cox, 426th Signal Company were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the N.D. National Guard's mission. Kalvoda's presentation was in person, while the other two NCOs participated in the professional development virtually.

Sergeant Cody Cox, 426th Signal Company, receives a recognition coin virtually from Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general for assisting service members in the Fargo area in maintaining equipment. Huber was at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Jan. 10, 2022.

Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, presents a coin to Staff Sgt. Jason Kalvoda, 164th Engineer Battalion, in recognition of his assistance to the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) during their recent deployment to the Southwest Border, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Jan. 10.

National Guard's 385th Birthday

National Guard published this commemorative magazine celebrating the Guard's 385th Birthday. The issue featuring stories from each of the fifty states and four territories.

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Charles Highland