Best Warrior Competition
Seventeen Army National Guard Soldiers from across the state pushed through physical and mental challenges to try to outscore their fellow competitors during this year’s Best Warrior Competition Aug. 15-18 at Camp Grafton Training Center.
Winner of the Best Warrior Competition in the Non-Commissioned Officer category is Sgt. Joao Valenzuela, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. In the Soldier category, honors go to Spc. Grant Schafer, 816th Military Police Company. Click to view more photos. Top photo: Valenzuela rappels during Best Warrior Competition on Aug. 18.
N.D. State Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Lien briefs Soldiers competing in the Best Warrior Competition on Aug. 15.
We Will Never Forget Remembrance Weekend Heals, Bonds Families
On Aug. 9-11, seventeen families spent time together during the 4th Annual We Will Never Forget Remembrance Retreat in Mandan. The event featured guest speaker Dr. Tanya McCoss-Yerigan from Granite Falls, Minn. She shared her story of loss and provided the attendees with tools to help build resiliency and work through grief. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jon Wymer, State Chaplain and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general were present for the weekend in support of the families. Throughout the weekend, the kids were able to participate in fun activities that allowed the families to learn about grief, share their stories, remember their loved ones and enjoy time with a new family, “a family they never wanted to be apart of, but are grateful they have."
Army Officer Candidate School Graduation
The North Dakota Army National Guard's Officer Candidate Class (OCS) Class #62 graduated three candidates on Aug. 17 at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC). Two of the candidates, Joseph M. Clift, Corps of Engineers and Elliot J. Olerud, Military Police, accepted their commissions during the ceremony. The third member of the class, 2nd Lt. Samantha E. Hansen, Air Defense Artillery, has already accepted her officer commission and is currently attending her Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill, Okla. OCS is an important source of commissioned officers for the Army National Guard.
Maj. Benjamin Barille (right), OCS Company Commander, helps 2nd Lt. Joseph Clift (center) retire the OCS Class #62 guidon at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan (center), N.D. National Guard Army Commander, administers the oath of office to new 2nd lieutenants, Joseph Clift (right) and Elliot Olerud during OCS Class #62 graduation.
Army Leaders Join OCS Candidates in Road March
Civil Support Team Exercises Chemical Detection Team
The Guard's 81st Civil Support Team (CST) conducted a small-scale exercise on Aug. 22 to keep their skills sharp. Using their storage building on Fraine Barracks, the CST entered the area as if it had been attacked by chemical agents. The CST cleared the building and then successfully detected the simulated agent. On standby around the clock, and capable of responding within 90 minutes, CSTs are highly-specialized units that are trained and equipped to assist civilian first responders when reacting to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive agents. The 81st CST regularly trains with local, state and federal agencies during emergency response training exercises.
Unsung Heroes of Annual Training
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment conducted their 2019 Annual Training earlier this month at Camp Grafton Training Center. All Service members will agree that good food always boosts morale. Napoleon Bonaparte is widely credited with the saying "an army marches on its stomach." The mess personnel assigned to our Air Defenders are second to none.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 6-8: Retiree Weekend at CGTC