Top: Photo illustration of the change of responsibility ceremonies conducted on Oct. 29, 2022, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck. Left photo: Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, right, N.D. adjutant general accepts colors representing the N.D. National Guard from Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, outgoing senior enlisted leader. Center photo: Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, right, N.D. adjutant general hands the colors representing the N.D. National Guard to Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, incoming senior enlisted leader. Right photo: Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, right, commander, N.D. Army Component Command, accepts the colors representing the N.D. Army National Guard from Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, outgoing state command sergeant major. Stories below. (National Guard photos by Spc. Donald Bond, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Contents
- N.D. Guard Observes Changes in Senior NCO Leaders
- N.D. State Command Sgt. Major Retires
- Military Support to Civil Authorities Exercise
- Guard Supports Community Halloween event
- ND National Guard Foundation Meeting
- Army Band Music in Schools Tour
- New Warrant Officer
- Celebrating More Than Four Decades of Service
N.D. Guard Observes Changes in Senior NCO Leaders
The N.D. National Guard observed changes in senior NCO leadership at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Oct. 29, 2022, Bismarck. There were changes of responsibility ceremonies for the N.D. National Guard senior enlisted leader and the N.D. Army National Guard state command sergeant major followed by a retirement. (National Guard story and photos by Spc. Donald Bond, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
A change of responsibility is a tradition which allows military members of an organization to witness the formal transfer of the duties of the senior-most non-commissioned officer (NCO) (in this case command sergeant major) from one to another. As colors representing the unit are passed from the color bearer, to the outgoing NCO, to the presiding officer, to the incoming NCO and back to the color bearer, orders formally announcing the change in leaders are read.
Senior Enlisted Leader
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock relinquished duties to Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson
In the first ceremony, the adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, presided over the senior enlisted leader (SEL) change of responsibility which saw Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock relinquish duties to Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson. Magnuson
1st Sgt. Shannon Kliniske, right, Joint Force Headquarters, hands the colors representing the N.D. National Guard to outgoing senior enlisted leader Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock during the change of responsibility ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Oct. 29, 2022.
“These three senior non-commissioned officers represent 95 years of combined military service," said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general.
"It's professional Soldiers and Airmen like these that make our non-commissioned officer corps the envy of the world. Whether it’s combat deployments overseas, fighting floods and wildland fires, or assisting in a pandemic, their leadership ensures the N.D. National Guard accomplishes all of our assigned missions. thanks to leaders like these in our army and air guard ranks, We are always ready, always there.”
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, left, N.D. adjutant general, turns control of the N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters formation over to newly appointed senior enlisted leader Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson during the change of responsibility ceremony, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Oct. 29, 2022.
The SEL, who along with the adjutant general, serve as the command team for the joint North Dakota Army and Air National Guard headquarters. The SEL serves as the principal policy advisor for all enlisted matters concerning Soldiers and Airmen. This is a part-time, or traditional position.
State Command Sergeant Major
Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck relinquished duties to Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock
In the second ceremony of the day, Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. Army Component Command, presided over a change of responsibility which saw Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck relinquish duties as the N.D. Army National Guard's state command sergeant major (SCSM) to Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock.
Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck addresses Soldiers and guests moments before relinquishing duties as the N.D. Army National Guard's state command sergeant major, Bismarck, Oct. 29, 2022.
The SCSM is the fulltime primary senior advisor to the adjutant general and North Dakota Army National Guard commander regarding all Soldier enlisted matters and is a member of the N.D. Army National Guard command team. The SCSM enforces policies and standards of performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted Soldiers. The SCSM will advise on a variety of topics, including recruiting, retention, training, resiliency, family support, community events, education, and employment for the state’s Guard Soldiers.
N.D. State Command Sgt. Major Retires
N.D. Army National Guard State Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck retired after 31 years of service at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Oct. 29, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Brandi Schmidt, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. Army Component Command, presided over the ceremony to honor Heck's service with family, friends, and fellow colleagues attending.
Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. Army Component Command, presents Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck the North Dakota Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Oct. 29, 2022.
Heck stepped into his role as state command sergeant major in December 2019 and mentored, trained and counseled over 3,000 National Guard Soldiers, NCOs and officers across the state throughout his career.
“I am extremely proud to have served alongside members of this organization,” said Heck. “It has been such a life changing experience getting to know so many fellow Soldiers.”
Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. Army Component Command, presents Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck the North Dakota Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Oct. 29, 2022.
Heck, who resides in Hillsboro, North Dakota, enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1991. He has held many key leadership positions throughout his career including command sergeant major at battalion and brigade-level before assuming full-time duties as state command sergeant major. In 2009 to 2010, Heck deployed with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Regiment for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
Heck plans to enjoy retirement with the support of his wife and their two children on the family farm.
military support to civil authorities exercise
The N.D. Guard domestic operations section along with state staff conducted a civil unrest table top exercise at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Oct. 29, 2022. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
Larry Regorrah, exercise officer for the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, provided members of the NDNG’s Domestic Operations Section with an update on North Dakota’s overall readiness for various man-made and natural disasters. Regorrah also led the group through a tabletop exercise based on a civil unrest scenario. The Domestic Operations Section is a part of Joint Force Headquarters.
Guard supports Community Halloween event
The Office of the Adjutant General (OTAG) participated in the annual community Halloween celebration event at the North Dakota capitol grounds adjacent to the governor's residence, Bismarck, Oct. 31, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The opportunity to participate in this community event hosted by the governor rotates among N.D. state agencies. This year, the OTAG which consists of the N.D. National Guard and the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, provided static displays for the holiday revelers to enjoy.
Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota's First Lady Kathryn Burgum, greeted families, provided Halloween treats, and posed for souvenir photos. This year's celebration was enjoyed by an estimated 450 visitors. The photos are available at Gov. Burgum's Flickr site.
Visitors check out Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment's Avenger defense system on display at the annual community Halloween celebration on the North Dakota capitol grounds, Bismarck, Oct. 31, 2022.
Gov. Doug Burgum visits with Spc. Jarrett Benson and Spc. Brian Miller, 816th Military Police Company in front of the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), Oct. 31, 2022. The vehicle for static display at the annual community Halloween celebration on the North Dakota capitol grounds.
Maj. Shawn Markovich, left, and 1st Sgt. Jesse Handegard, 81st Civil Support Team, greet visitors during the annual community Halloween celebration on the North Dakota capitol grounds, Bismarck, Oct. 31, 2022. They provided information about the blue CST Advanced Echelon vehicle - which transports the commander and first sergeant when responding to support civilian authorities. The vehicle allows the command team to quickly and securely establish contact with incident commanders.
Geneva Anderson, center, N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), explains the capabilities of the white NDDES command vehicle behind her during the annual community Halloween celebration on the North Dakota capitol grounds, Bismarck, Oct. 31, 2022. The NDDES command vehicle is used by Emergency Management Assistance Team personnel when deploying to support incidents statewide.
ND National Guard Foundation Meeting
The N.D. National Guard Foundation held its quarterly meeting in person and virtually at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, Nov. 2, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Foundation board members received a briefing from the N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program on their activities and survivor support. The newly assigned state command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, was formally added to the board during the meeting.
Army Band Music in Schools tour
The 188th Army Band sent three Musical Performance Teams (MPTs) to local schools (Grades K-12) across North Dakota for Music in our Schools Tour mission from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, 2022. This mission enables the band to connect, perform, and share their love of music and military service with students. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Spc. Devon Tucker, 188th Army Band, was given the opportunity to conduct the Jamestown High School's wind, concert, and symphonic bands, Jamestown, N.D., Oct 31, 2022.
The band’s “No Brass No Ammo” woodwind quintet MPT traveled to Jamestown, Carrington, and New Rockford - Sheyenne. The group is typically comprised of 4-5 Soldiers, but this year eight Soldiers performed. Contrary to the group’s name had a trumpet player tagging along with the group.
“No Brass No Ammo” performs for New Rockford – Sheyenne School, New Rockford, N.D., Oct 31, 2022.
The band’s brass quintet, “Cover Down”, traveled to Minot, Berthold, Stanley, Kenmare and Rugby. This MPT is typically comprised of 6 Soldiers, but this year ten Soldiers performed. The group added a bass guitar, an additional tuba and two percussionists.
The “Cover Down” quintet performs at Berthold public school, Berthold, N.D., Oct 31, 2022.
The Band’s saxophone quartet traveled to Grand Forks, Larimore, Hillsboro and Park River. This MPT is typically comprised of four Soldiers, but this year eight Soldiers performed. The group added a tuba player, pianist and you wouldn’t believe it… more saxophones!
New Warrant officer
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rob Dorneman, N.D. Army National Guard command chief warrant officer (CCWO), presided over a commissioning ceremony for Warrant Officer 1 Ryan Spicer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th ADA) at the Grand Forks Armory, Grand Forks, N.D., Oct. 28, 2022. (National Guard story by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rob Dorneman, N.D. National Guard)
Spicer enlisted in the N.D. Army National Guard in 2006, and is credited with deployments with the 1-188 ADA Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) mission to Afghanistan to the national capital region in support of Operation Noble Eagle.
Spicer's commissioning as an Army Command and Control Systems Integrator (140A MOS) was witnessed by family members, friends and his unit in the armory theater. His girlfriend Kate affixed his warrant officer rank to his uniform.
Hooligan Retires
Brig. Gen. Robert Schulte, North Dakota National Guard chief of staff - Air, presented the Meritorious Service Medal to Chief Master Sgt. Mike Anders during his retirement ceremony at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Nov. 4, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Anders had the honor of having his father place his retirement pin on his uniform in front of a crowd of friends, family and fellow Hooligans. He began his career 33 years ago as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician, followed by 119th Medical Group superintendent and finally 219th Security Forces Squadron manager, among his many roles in the North Dakota Air National Guard. Congratulations Chief Anders for more than three decades of military service.
Celebrating more than four decades of Service
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Whit Dwyer was honored at a retirement ceremony in recognition of more than 45 years of National Guard service at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Oct. 29, 2022. (National Guard story by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rob Dorneman, N.D. National Guard)
During his more than four decades in uniform, Dwyer served full time as a federal technician for 29 years in Minot and in the G-4 State Maintenance Office in Bismarck and four years with the National Guard Bureau maintenance branch. In his last duty position he was the chief of the Command Maintenance Discipline Program as part of the Commander’s Maintenance Evaluation Team (COMET).
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