TAG Line May 13, 2024

Left to right; Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, NDARNG chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Kwasi Onwana – Ghana Army, Sgt. Maj. Godson Dogbatse, acting Ghana Army Sergeant Major and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major in group photo.

The 12th iteration of ALFS brought together land forces chiefs from approximately 40 African nations, April 22-26, near Victoria Falls, along with six European nations, Brazil and the United States. Joined by civilian and academic leaders, approximately 400 leaders discussed shared challenges and approaches under the theme “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems.”

Since 2017, the summit also features a parallel Senior Enlisted Leader Forum, bringing together senior enlisted leaders from over 20 African land forces as well as U.S. command senior enlisted leaders from organizations such as the 7th Army Training Command and from National Guard State Partnership Programs.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, State Partnership Program director, and his wife during the 2023 Partnership of the Year at the State Partnership Program’s annual conference in Las Vegas, April 18.

North Dakota is paired with three partner nations, Ghana, Togo and Benin. The SPP director plans, manages and coordinates all approved SPP activities, including logistics, resources and budget, while working with U.S. government agencies and embassy country teams.

Lt. Col. McEvers said “This SPP-Director award is a joint award I share with my wife, Rochelle, who has allowed me to travel multiple weeks per year for work and has assumed additional duties and responsibilities with managing everything at home from dealing with medical appointments with our children to coordinating with contractors to fix problems with the house. Without Rochelle’s exceptional support, the engagements and coordination required of a SPP-Director would not happen.”

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

The first part of this month's professional development featured Col. Hagel talking about the training topic "Political Activities & Ethics".

For more information - https://osc.gov/Services/Pages/HatchAct-Federal.aspx

U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Ayers, 119th Wing deputy commander, presents Lt. Col. Eric Mattson with the Meritorious Service Medal, at his retirement, at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base in Fargo, May 5.

Lt. Col. Mattson was celebrated for his 23-year career of military service.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, presented the N.D. National Guard Legendary Award to Marie Horning at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, May 8.

Horning received the award for her enduring commitment, dedication and support of North Dakota Army National Guard families in 2023.

Staff Sgt. Taylor Krug and Sgt. Brenna Wendland, Forward Support Company 142nd Engineer Battalion, on Denim Day in Fargo, April 24.

April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual violence is a public health and safety issue that affects both women and men alike. It is difficult to discuss, and it often goes unmentioned, leaving many to suffer in silence. This year, the Department of the Interior recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month with the Denim Day campaign.

Denim Day began more than twenty-one years ago, after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, implying consent. The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.