Top: Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, N.D. National Guard's senior enlisted leader, addresses the Soldiers and Families of the N.D. National Guard’s 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) during a formal welcome home ceremony, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center. (National Guard photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
Table of Contents
- 957th Welcome Home Ceremony
- Guard Supports Joint Legislative Session
- MPs Welcome New Command Sergeant Major
- "ND500" Program in Full Swing
- Legislative Information Day
- Operation Staple Puller
- Soldiers Thanked with Handcrafted Pens
957th Welcome Home Ceremony
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, joined with the senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, and elected officials to formally welcome home the Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), Jan 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Soldiers returned in November from a year-long deployment in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission along the southwest border. About 125 Guard Soldiers served on this mission. Joining the N.D. National Guard leaders were Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. Kevin Cramer. Capt. Justin Johnson, officer-in-charge of the 164th Engineer Battalion served as the event's emcee.
The Families, Friends and Employers of the 957th Soldiers were also thanked for their unyielding support.
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, leads the official party of Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Kevin Cramer, and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, N.D. National Guard's senior enlisted leader (not pictured) onto the stage at during the welcome home ceremony for the Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), Jan 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, N.D.
Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard's state chaplain, renders the opening prayer at the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) welcome home ceremony, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, addresses the Soldiers and Families of the North Dakota National Guard’s Bismarck-based 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) during a welcome home ceremony on Jan. 8, 2023, at the Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck.
A young Family member listens to remarks rendered by Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, during a welcome home ceremony for the Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, N.D.
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. National Guard's state command sergeant major, thanks Spc. Austin Dodds, 957th Engineer Company for his service at his unit's homecoming event ceremony, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center. Dodds was one of about 125 Soldiers who served a year on the southwest border.
957th Engineer Company displays the U.S. Flag that accompanied them on their year-long deployment to the southwest border during the unit's homecoming ceremony, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center. From left, 1st Sgt. Jordan Ternes; Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller; Sen. John Hoeven; Sen. Kevin Cramer; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general; Capt. Mark Buske, 957th commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, N.D. National Guard senior enlisted leader.
National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information.
Guard Supports Joint Legislative Session
N.D. National Guard members have a long tradition of participating in activities in support of the first day of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. The joint assembly which consists of the members of the N.D. Senate and N.D. House of Representatives gathered in the House Chamber, featured the governor's State of the State address, Jan. 8, 2023, N.D. State Capitol, Bismarck, N.D.
Besides Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson's opening and closing prayers, Guard members performed color guard duties, served as escorts for elected officials and cabinet members as well as performing other administrative duties in support of the opening of North Dakota's 68th Legislative Assembly.
N.D. National Guard members traditionally perform color guard duties at the joint opening session of the North Dakota State Legislative. From left Staff Sgt. Brett Ruff and his son, Spc. Jacob Ruff carry the U.S. Flag and North Dakota state flag, respectively, into the North Dakota House Chamber, Jan. 3, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Background, from left, 2nd Lt. McKenzie Richard and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kelly Mathisen, not pictured, provide color guard security.
Members of the N.D. National Guard color guard carry the U.S. and N.D. state flags into the North Dakota House Chamber in support of the start of North Dakota's 68th Legislative Assembly. Jan. 3, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.
Members of the N.D. National Guard color guard carry the U.S. and N.D. state flags into the North Dakota House Chamber in support of the start of North Dakota's 68th Legislative Assembly. Jan. 3, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.
Master Sgt. Travice Tesky, left, and Spc. Zach Haugen attend the silver service punch bowl at the reception following the joint session of the North Dakota 68th Legislative Assembly, Jan. 3, 2023, N.D. State Capitol Building, Bismarck, N.D. The silver bowl is an invaluable historical artifact from the first USS North Dakota, a U.S. Navy battleship in service from 1910 to 1930.
MPs Welcome New Command Sergeant Major
Lt. Col. Kris Elijah, commander of the 131st Military Police Battalion presided over a change of responsibility ceremony which saw Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Wesson relinquish duties as the command sergeant major to Command Sgt. Maj. Lisa Ouradnik, Jan. 8, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D.
Spc. Michael Widmer stands by with the colors of the 131st Military Police Battalion during a change of responsibility ceremony, Jan. 8, 2022, in Bismarck. The change of responsibility ceremony is a military tradition that allows Soldiers to witness a formal change of the senior enlisted leadership of their unit.
Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Wesson, left, holds the colors of the 131st Military Police Battalion during the change of responsibility ceremony where he relinquished duties as the command sergeant major, Jan. 8, 2022, Bismarck.
Command Sgt. Maj. Lisa Ouradnik, addresses the Soldiers of the 131st Military Police Battalion for the first time as the unit's incoming command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony, Jan. 8, 2022, Bismarck.
The change of responsibility ceremony is a military tradition that allows Soldiers to witness a formal change of the senior enlisted leadership of their unit. Wesson, who’s served as the Military Police command sergeant major since July 2020, was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal and the battalion's "Peacemaker" award in recognition of his achievements.
National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information.
"ND500" Program in Full Swing
The N.D. National Guard's (NDNG) "ND500" incentive program pays N.D. National Guard members $500 per qualifying new or prior service lead who enlists or accesses into the NDNG as a result of the referring member’s effort, mentorship, and assistance. (National Guard story and photo by Mr. Jack Sitter, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion marketing specialist)
This state-sponsored incentive program is for N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
Click for more information the NDARNG ND500 program or to download the app needed to submit an NDARNG lead. Click here for N.D. Air Guard ND500 information.
Legislative Information Day
On Jan. 10, 2023 the Governor’s Office hosted Legislative Information Day in Memorial Hall at the North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story by Maj. Jay Sheldon, N.D. National Guard strategy and policy officer)
The N.D. National Guard, with approval from the Governor, requested state funds for an armory in Dickinson, a fitness training center and 31-room dorm at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, as well as funding for a N.D. Military Museum proposed to be co-located with the Heritage Center on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck.
North Dakota state agencies provide information to state legislators during the Legislative Information Day hosted by the Governor’s Office, Jan. 10, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. The N.D. National Guard information table is center left in front of a gray backdrop. (National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Throughout the day Maj. Jay Sheldon, strategy and policy officer and retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard historian, engaged with numerous members of the Governor’s staff and state legislators providing information on the National Guard's legislative projects and initiatives.
Maj. Jay Sheldon, strategy and policy officer and retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard historian, talk with N.D. Rep. Jeremy Olson during Legislative Information Day hosted by the Governor’s Office, Jan. 10, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.
N.D. Representative Jason Dockter visits with Maj. Jay Sheldon, strategy and policy officer during the Legislative Information Day hosted by the Governor’s Office at the Capitol, Jan. 10, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.
The day allowed state and cabinet agencies to display and present information for legislators and staff. The N.D. National Guard display was focused on major construction project funding requests.
Operation Staple Puller
Representatives from the N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) and the N.D. National Guard worked together during a functional exercise, Jan. 6, 2023, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D. (Story by Eric W. Jensen, Department of Emergency Services public information officer)
The purpose of the joint exercise, named "Operation Staple Puller", was to validate plans and processes to contend with the after-effects of a widespread cyberattack. The exercise participants worked through potential cascading effects that might occur after a cyberattack disables the electrical grid for an extended period during cold weather conditions.
“Operation Staple Puller” was the sixth iteration in a series of state-level cyber exercises, which included multiple local and state partners, as well as those from private industry. State agencies previously met this spring to review a whole-of-government framework for responding to a potential major cybersecurity incident and have participated in multiple cyber preparedness exercises since 2016. The “whole community” partners will meet again for follow-up exercises this spring.
North Dakotans can practice good “Cyber Hygiene” by taking these steps to protect themselves online.
- Implement multi-factor authentication on your accounts making it 99% less likely your account will be compromised (hacked).
- Update your software. Experts recommend you enable automatic software updates.
- Think before you click. More than 90% of successful cyber-attacks start with a phishing email or social media link.
- Use strong passwords, and ideally a password manager to generate and store unique passwords.
Find more information about cyber security and to take a personal security risk and vulnerability assessment visit defend.nd.gov.
Soldiers Thanked with Handcrafted Pens
As part of the N.D. National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) were presented handcrafted pens created by the North Dakota Woodturners, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Suzanne Richards, Service Member & Family Support specialist)
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. National Guard's state command sergeant major, in cooperation with the N.D. National Guard Service Member & Family Support (SMFS) planned the event that allowed Soldiers to pick their preferred model.
957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) Soldiers choose a pen during the N.D. National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center. The handcrafted pens were donated by the North Dakota Woodturners in recognition of the Soldiers' service.
Spc. Kara Martell and Sgt. Barbara Omlid Sgt. Austin Hanten, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), admire their pens during the N.D. National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Jan. 8, 2023, Bismarck Event Center. The handcrafted pens were donated by the North Dakota Woodturners in recognition of the Soldiers' service.
The N.D. Woodturners donated these pens to the N.D. National Guard for Bismarck-Mandan area Soldiers as a reward for their service during deployments. Each pen is a unique creation.
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