View Static Version

TAG Line April 24, 2023

"From The Field" campaign photo: The Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) training new warriors on how to work as a team while performing room clearing operations at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., April 16, 2023. (National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf, N.D. National Guard Recruiting and Retention)

Contents

Civil Support Team Welcomes New Commander

The N.D. National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team (CST) welcomed a new commander at the National Guard’s headquarters at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, April 18, 2023.

Maj. Shawn A. Markovic assumed duties as commander from Lt. Col. Pat R. Flanagan who has led the CST since January 2020. Col. Paul Helten, commander, 68th Troop Command, presided over the change of command ceremony.

Lt. Col. Pat R. Flanagan, left, outgoing commander. Maj. Shawn A. Markovic, incoming commander, 81st Civil Support Team.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that represents the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another. The event is witnessed by members of the unit, as well as other military members, families and friends.

1st Sgt. Jesse Handegard, 81st Civil Support Team, addresses the formation during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Guidon bearer is Tech Sgt. Sam Hemphill.

During the ceremony, Flanagan received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of the CST’s accomplishments during his tenure as commander. Some of his accomplishments included the North Dakota National Guard’s COVID-19 response, where he served as a trusted agent within the Unified Command structure overseeing the CST in supporting 60 mobile mass testing events which resulted in 30,000 samples collected. He supervised the planning and execution of the CST’s Mission Readiness Airlift movement for the Arctic Eagle-Patriot exercise conducted in Alaska, March 2022. His leadership helped ensure his unit passed two training Proficiency Evaluations and Standardization Evaluation inspections. And last fall, the CST expertly assisted the Williston Police Department with the execution of a search warrant for an individual suspected of possessing bomb making materials.

Lt. Col. Pat Flanagan, outgoing commander of the 81st Civil Support Team, renders remarks during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Flanagan enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1989 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in 2000. His previous assignments include serving as a preventive medicine officer, patient administrative officer, commander of the N.D. Army National Guard’s Medical Detachment and served as the North Dakota National Guard’s state family program director. Besides commanding the CST, Flanagan has experience within the team as the nuclear medical science officer and deputy commander. He will serve as the G-1 deputy director of personnel until he assumes duties as the G-6 chief information officer autumn 2023.

Lt. Col. Pat Flanagan, outgoing commander of the 81st Civil Support Team, renders remarks during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Col. Paul Helton, left, discusses the achievements of Lt. Col. Pat Flanagan, outgoing commander of the 81st Civil Support Team, during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

“Pat Flanagan did an outstanding job commanding this diverse and complex unit during challenging times to include the North Dakota National Guard’s longest emergency response in its history – COVID-19,” said Helten. “His leadership and ability to mentor young officers and Soldiers was also invaluable to his tenure as commander.”
Col. Paul Helten, commander, 68th Troop Command, left, presents Lt. Col. Pat R. Flanagan Meritorious Service Medal for his accomplishments as commander of the 81st Civil Support Team from January 2020 to April 2023, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. The award was presented during a change of command ceremony.

Maj. Shawn A. Markovic, left, incoming commander of the 81st Civil Support Team, accepts the unit guidon from Col. Paul Helten, commander, 68th Troop Command, during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Markovic’s military service began when he enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 957th Engineer Company in 1987. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant from Officer Candidate School in 2003 and returned to the 957th Engineer Company as a platoon leader. He deployed to Iraq in 2007 to 2008 as the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 164th Engineer Battalion. After this deployment he was assigned as the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade’s J-5 MEB Plans officer; S-3 operations and training officer for the 164th Regional Training Institute and 68th Troop Command. In 2020 he became deputy commander of the 81st CST.

Maj. Shawn A. Markovic, left, incoming commander of the 81st Civil Support Team, returns the unit guidon to 1st Sgt. Jesse Handegard, during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.
Maj. Shawn A. Markovic, incoming commander of the 81st Civil Support Team, renders remarks during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.
From left Lt. Col. Pat Flanagan, outgoing 81st CST commander; 1st Sgt. Jesse Handegard, 81st CST, and Col. Helten, commander, 68th Troop Command, listen to remarks from incoming CST commander Maj. Shawn A. Markovic, during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.
“Shawn Markovic is the right choice to serve as this team’s new commander,” added Helten. “His technical expertise combined with his complete familiarity with the team obtained while serving as deputy commander, will ensure the professionalism and continued success of the 81st CST.”

North Dakota’s 81st CST team, comprised of 22 full-time Army and Air Force National Guard personnel, was authorized by the Department of Defense in Nov. 2004. Since then, the unit members have participated in intensive technical training and rehearsals to prepare them for their potential missions. In Aug. 2006, the team successfully passed an exercise evaluation conducted by the US Army which validated their readiness to respond.

Maj. Shawn A. Markovic, left, incoming commander of the 81st Civil Support Team, salutes as he assumes control of the formation from Col. Paul Helten, commander, 68th Troop Command, during the unit's change of command ceremony, April 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

The Pride is in the Patch

The first ever 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) patching ceremony took place at the Fargo Readiness Center, April 15th, 2023. (National Guard story by 1st Sgt. Alex Jahner, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)

The shoulder sleeve insignia worn by the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) is unique. The elements of the patch depict the service of the state’s legacy unit, the 164th Infantry Regiment, and the rich history of the 164th during its 72 years of service in the North Dakota Army National Guard.

The event was created as a way to welcome new Soldiers and increase their esprit de corps. The Headquarters Support Company, 141st MEB along with the 426th Signal Company are the only units in the state that wear the MEB patch. Most of the N.D. Army National Guard Soldiers wear the state patch, a blue shield with the state military crest of a bow and 3 arrows.

Master of Ceremonies 2nd Lt. Alexander O’Connell reads the ceremonial narrative as 4 Soldiers stand at attention in front of Capt. Travis White. 1SG Alex Jahner stands ready to participate in the ceremony, as does photographer Sgt. First Class Krystal Amundson. (Photo by Master Sgt. Jennifer Freeman)

1st Sgt. Alex Jahner places the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade patch insignia on the left shoulder of Pvt. Blaze Beatty as Capt. Travis White emplaces patches to other Soldiers during the first patching ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Sgt. First Class Krystal Amundson, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)

Left to right, 2nd Lt. David Loegering, Spc. Matthew Cruff, Pvt. Blaze Beatty, and Pfc. Christopher Ladue report to Capt. Travis White during the patching ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Master Sgt. Jennifer Freeman, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)

The idea for the patching ceremony came from Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Obrigewitch and was organized by 1st Sgt. Alex Jahner. It is anticipated that all Soldiers assigned to MEB units in the future will be “patched” as a way for them to learn the lineage of their unit and thus inspiring pride within their organization.

The 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (patch) depicts the service of the legendary 164th Infantry Regiment. The Spanish castle indicates service in the Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection (1998-1899), where unit members earned nine Medals of Honor. The sunburst from the 41st Infantry Division insignia denotes World War I service with that division in France (1917-1919). The stars of the Southern Cross come from the Americal Division’s patch and denote World War II service in the South Pacific theater (1942-1945), during which the 164th Infantry Regiment was recognized as the first U.S. Army unit to offensively engage the enemy (in either theater). The base color of the shield is blue for infantry. The 1st North Dakota Infantry Regiment, formed in 1883, was renamed the 164th Infantry Regiment during a nationwide renumbering system during World War I.

141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia.

From The Field Campaign

The N.D. National Guard's Task Force Cajetan's first marketing campaign, "From the Field", has produced a perspective unlike any other. The efforts have been primarily focused on Soldier and Airmen perspective with the purpose of providing a glimpse of everyday life as a Guard member. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, conduct gunnery ground tables nose to nose at Guernsey, Wyoming, during Annual Training August 2022. The procedure allowed the unit to fire out of both aircraft, which expedited their preparation efforts to begin aerial gunnery tables. (Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tami Abrahamson, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment)

Left to right, Pfc. Timothy Braun, Sgt. James Berseid, and Spc. Daniel Herdebu, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, rig a 5-ton wrecker to lift-tow a HMMWV for a recovery mission at Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Training at the Sustainment Training Center, Camp Dodge, Iowa, April 19, 2023. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tiffany Vannett, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company)

141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade mask fitting on drill weekend, at the Fargo Readiness Center, Fargo N.D., April 16th, 2023. (Photo by Capt. Melissa Stuth, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)

Sgt. Jeff Nundahl, Sgt.Justin Pritchett, and Spc. David Geske, 142nd Engineer Battalion, survey the motorpool for drainage improvements during training in Valley City, N.D., April 16, 2023. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class John Labine, 142nd Engineer Battalion)

The N.D. Army National Guard's Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) trains new warriors how to work as a team while performing room clearing operations at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., April 16, 2023. (National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf, N.D. National Guard Recruiting and Retention)

Camp Grafton Commander Promoted

Philip Baker was promoted to colonel at the N.D. National Guard’s Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) on April 22. Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, presided over the ceremony. Baker’s wife and son participated in his promotion. (National Guard story and photos by Maj. Moranda Iverson, Camp Grafton Training Center)

Top: Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, right, administers the oath of office to Philip Baker during his promotion ceremony to colonel, April 22, 2023, at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, North Dakota. Bottom left: Philip Baker's wife Deb affixes his new rank of colonel during his promotion ceremony. Bottom right: Philip Baker's son places his hat on his head with his new rank of colonel.

Baker has over three decades of military service and currently serves as the CGTC commander. On May 5, he’s scheduled to relinquish command of CGTC and assume command of the 164th Regional Training Center – North Dakota, also located at CGTC.

The Order of Military Medical Merit

Maj. Gen. Jill Faris, director, Office of the Surgeon General, awarded Col. Brian Keller, deputy state surgeon, N.D. Army National Guard (NDARNG), "The Order of Military Medical Merit" at the Army National Guard Medical Team Conference at National Guard Professional Education Center, Camp Robinson, Arkansas on April 17, 2023.

Keller was presented this award for his relentless advocacy for medical readiness and Soldier health. Col. Todd Schaffer, NDARNG state surgeon nominated Keller for this honor.

Maj. Gen. Jill Faris, National Guard Bureau, presents Col. Brian Keller, NDARNG deputy state surgeon, the Order of Military Medical Merit.

This prestigious award is sponsored by a private organization founded by the commanding general of U.S. Army Health Services Command in April 1982 to recognize excellence and promote fellowship and esprit de corps among U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) personnel.

Public Affairs Training Workshop

The National Guard Bureau hosted the 2023 Public Affairs Training Workshop in Arlington, VA, April 18 to 20, 2023. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

1st Lt. Bruce Shields, N.D. National Guard assistant public affairs officer, poses with former N.D. public affairs civilian Jay Martinez, now the command information branch chief for NGB Public Affairs in Arlington, Virginia, April 20, 2023.

The three-day event featured speakers from DoD-wide public affairs (PA) offices to provide an in-depth discussion of PA methods and practices to include using social media to help tell the National Guard story.

Please help us make the TAG Line better - Click here for survey or use QR code above

Please include contact information if a response is requested.

Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.

Created By
Charles Highland
NextPrevious