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TAG Line February 13, 2023

Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines meets with Soldiers at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, N.D., Feb. 10, 2023. Raines, the Army National Guard's command sergeant major, visited the state on Feb. 10 and 11, 2023. (National Guard photo by Spc. Sam Konah, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)

In This Issue...

From the Field Campaign

The first social media campaign to be implemented by the newly formed Task Force Cajetan (story below) is called "From the Field" (FTF). (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

This campaign will allow Soldiers and Airmen to submit photos and video directly to the N.D. National Guard's content creation team serving within Task Force Cajetan. The best submitted content will be employed in social media campaigns to support our recruiting efforts and to help tell the N.D. National Guard story.

We encourage our N.D. Airmen and Soldiers to submit their best content for consideration to be shared all across the N.D. National Guard's social media platforms. We also encourage our Guard members to share their Guard experience on their personal social media accounts.

To submit your photos/videos of Guard training, battle selfies, awards and great scenery use the QR code above or click on bit.ly/NDNG-FTF. Follow the simple instructions online.

Task Force Cajetan

On Jan. 11, 2023, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, directed the formation of Task Force Cajetan (TFC). (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Succinctly stated, TFC's mission is to "Support N.D. National Guard's Army and Air recruiting and marketing efforts by creating and employing a sustainable system of producing and sharing digital media."

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kiel Skager introduces "Task Force Cajetan" during this month's professional development, Feb. 8, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D.

Resourced and guided by the directors of J5/9 and G6 respectfully, Col. Brock Larson and Col. Dave Hall, as well as N.D. Air and Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention, the TFC is co-chaired by Kiel Skager, G-6 information system security manager and Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard public information officer. The task force is comprised of personnel from Visual Information; Public Affairs Office; 116th Public Affairs Detachment; 119th Wing Public Affairs Office; Historian Office; Recruiting and Retention Battalion Marketing; Department of Emergency Services Public Affairs; Data Processing; and Unit Public Affairs Representatives (UPARs).

Since the initial meeting of the task force introduced by the adjutant general, TFC has met at least once per week with the entire team, and conducted offsites and smaller meetings with select individuals to propose, discuss and refine various campaign and marketing plans to support recruiting efforts through deliberate social media campaigns.

Task Force Accomplishments to Date

  • Developed a Task Force playbook SOP
  • Created marketing plan
  • Established and refined a communication strategy
  • Developed social media improvements and synchronization
  • Determined which social media platform to engage based on demographics and intent
  • Developing ideas on how to better use TAG Line to inform and support recruiting
  • Implemented "From the Field" campaign (see story above)
Photos of some of Task Force Cajetan's meetings, January and February 2023.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann

“This team has my full support to take the necessary actions, within my authority, to directly improve recruiting and retention, the image of our brand, and communication with our stakeholders. I challenge you to dismantle the various silos we have come accustomed to and build a high-performing team that can accomplish difficult and complex tasks at the speed of today’s information, with purpose and precision. What you are about to do is a top priority for this organization.”

Enhancing Capabilities

The Happy Hooligans of the 119th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) traveled to the 163rd Regional Training Site at March Air Reserve Base, California for intensive training aimed at enhancing their capabilities and qualifications. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Dan Anderson, Air National Guard)

The training was conducted from Jan. 30 through Feb. 4, 2023 and is known as MEET (Military Engineering Emergency Training). MEET focuses on developing the skills and knowledge necessary to support the U.S. Air Force in times of emergency or disaster by constructing and maintaining tent cities. This temporary facility provides expeditionary forces lodging, dining, shower and latrine units.

119th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) members Staff Sgt. Zachary Argall, Airman 1st Class Wade Gillespe, Staff Sgt. Michael Lawhorn, Senior Airman Bailey Endres and Staff Sgt. Bradon Johnson, construct an improved surface for incoming large containers at the 163rd Regional Training Site at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Feb. 10, 2023.

Left to right, Staff Sgt. Edward Dosch, 119th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Tech. Sgt. Gutierrez, 163rd Regional Training Site (RTS) cadre; Airman 1st Class Cole Flom and Staff Sgt. Jacob Merritt, 119th CES, troubleshoot a Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) at the 163rd RTS, March Air Reserve Base, California, Feb. 10, 2023.

Thirty-nine Airmen from the 119th CES took part in the training that was conducted over a two-week period and covered a range of topics, including high voltage electric distribution, reverse osmosis water purification, heavy equipment operations, structures, HVAC and command and control. Airmen also received hands-on training in various construction and demolition techniques, including the use of heavy equipment such as semis and dump trucks.

Senior Master Sgt. Dan Anderson, 119th Civil engineer squadron, praised the Happy Hooligan Airmen for the important training they accomplished while at the 163rd Regional Training Site. "Our Airmen really knocked it out of the park," he said. "This training allows them to be better prepared and more capable in their duties, and we are proud of their hard work and excellent training they accomplished. It was a great opportunity to put some junior Non-commissioned officers in charge of projects."

Left to right, Staff Sgt. Jack Sullivan, Staff Sgt. Joe Peterson, 119th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Tech. Sgt. Spencer, 163rd Regional Training Site (RTS) cadre, and Tech. Sgt. Luke Knutson, 119th CES, troubleshoot a Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) power unit at the 163rd RTS, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Feb. 10, 2023.

From left, Tech. Sgt. Thienes, 163rd Regional Training Site (RTS) cadre, Senior Airman Brock Riskey and Senior Airman Isaaac, 119th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), prepare to do high voltage testing on an electrical distribution system at the 163rd RTS, March Air Reserve Base, California, Feb. 10, 2023.

The MEET qualifications are a requirement for all civil engineering squadrons and are held periodically to ensure that the Airmen remain current and prepared for their missions, as well as completing projects needed for site improvement at the RTS. The unit completed a retention wall demolition, constructed a 37,500 square foot container warehouse storage area and reclaimed 41,500 square feet of land with backfill material they mined themselves. In addition to this, they repaired over $40,000 worth of inoperable HVAC equipment that was slated to be turned in.

Senior Airman Bailey Adams, foreground, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Oliver, 119th Civil Engineer Squadron, troubleshoot a Large Package Environmental Control Unit at the 163rd Regional Training Site, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Feb. 10, 2023.

This training will ensure that the Airmen of the 119th Wing CES aare ready to respond to any emergency that may arise and are

The 119th CES is responsible for a wide range of tasks, including disaster response and recovery, construction and demolition, and environmental protection. The MEET qualifications provide a comprehensive training program designed to ensure these Airmen are prepared for any situation that may arise, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to complete any mission.

No-Notice Response Exercise

Members of the N.D. National Guard (NDNG) conducted a no-notice domestic operations response exercise, Feb. 3, 2023, at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

These types of exercises help ensure readiness is maintained to successfully work with DES, state and local partners.

About 25 Soldiers and Airmen from the National Guard’s Domestic Operations Section worked from the organization’s Joint Operations Center (JOC), exercising command and control for military response resources during the exercise.

Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Wesson, JOC noncommissioned in charge, right, meets with 2nd Lt. Mckenzie Richard during a flood response exercise, Bismarck, Feb. 3, 2023.

Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, left, commander, N.D. National Guard Army Component Command, discusses the flood response exercise in the JOC, Feb. 3, 2023, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D.

Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, right, commander, N.D. National Guard Army Component Command, receives a briefing from Col. Steve Selzler, director of the N.D. National Guard's J-3 Military Support, left, during an unannounced flood response exercise, Feb. 3, 2023, at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck.

This exercise included response planning, operational coordination, monitoring flood response status as well as public information dissemination. These types of exercises are reoccurring events and usually center on flooding, wildland fires and blizzard response. Most of the command and control elements and responsibilities of the JOC can be used for any domestic response scenario.

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, right, N.D. National Guard state command sergeant major, right, receives a briefing during a flood response exercise, Feb. 3, 2023, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck.

Professional Development

Mr. Robert Roehrich, N.D. National Guard state equal opportunity manager, conducted this month's professional development, Feb. 8, 2023, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Mr. Robert Roehrich, N.D. National Guard state equal opportunity manager, speaking during this month's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 8, 2023.

In addition to an in person audience, his briefing was livestreamed state-wide to all N.D. National Guard full-time members.

Mr. Robert Roehrich, N.D. National Guard state equal opportunity manager, presents February's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 8, 2023.

This month's professional development featured the training topic "We have a disturbance in the force". The class explains the definition of hostility and what it means in the work environment.

Mr. Robert Roehrich, N.D. National Guard state equal opportunity manager, speaking during this month's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 8, 2023.

Outstanding Warrant

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kiel Skager, was awarded the National Guard Association of North Dakota's 2021 Outstanding Warrant Officer during this month's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 8, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert Dorneman, N.D. National Guard command chief warrant officer, awards the National Guard Association of North Dakota's 2021 Outstanding Warrant Officer to retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kiel Skager, Feb. 8, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D.

Recognition

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. National Guard state command sergeant major, recognized Sgt. Travis Dolan, G6 - Cyber, for outstanding performance with a coin at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 8, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Dolan successfully tested and passed a rigorous IT certification exam. He passed GIAC information security professional exam with a score of 86%.

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. National Guard state command sergeant major, right, congratulates Sgt. Travis Dolan, G6 - Cyber, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 8, 2023.

New Retirees

Jamie Wagendorf

Joint Force Headquarters, conducted a retirement ceremony for Sgt. Maj. Jamie Wagendorf, N.D. National Guard state food program manager, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Feb. 5, 2023. Wagendorf retires after faithfully serving his country and the National Guard for over 33 years. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Lt. Col. Cody Volk, G4 officer in charge, right, hands a certificate of retirement to Sgt. Maj. Jamie Wagendorf, NGND state food program manager, during a ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Feb. 5, 2023.

Cody Martin

Joint Force Headquarters, conducted a retirement ceremony for Sgt. First Class Cody Martin, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Feb. 5, 2023. Martin retires after faithfully serving his country and the North Dakota National Guard spanning over 32 years.

Lt. Col Ann Willoughby, state family program director, right, awards a Meritorious Service Medal to Sgt. First Class Cody Martin, during a retirement ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Feb. 5, 2023.

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Created By
Charles Highland
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