State, local, military leaders, and contractors cut a piece of ribbon during the Dickinson Readiness Center ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sept. 24, Dickinson, North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Nathan Rivard)
Contents
- Building Shared Security: North Dakota National Guard and Togo
- New Dickinson Readiness Center
- Flight Vanguard Award
- New Army Grooming Standards
- Welcome Home
- Da Guards Podcast
- ND1000
- Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) September Drill
- Hazardous Waste Course
- Bismarck Marathon
- Working With Your Nervous System
- The Army DEOCS Final
- Upcoming Open Houses
- Loneliness is the New Smoking
- Staff Sgt. Zabka Retires
- Golden Eagle Award
- ESGR Statement of Support
- Veterans Cemetery Benches
- Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
- Veterans Stand Down
- Retired Reunion
- Upcoming Halloween Events
- Western North Dakota Honor Flight
Building Shared Security: North Dakota National Guard and Togo
We’re strengthening security cooperation, bolstering emergency preparedness and identifying commercial opportunities through the State Partnership Program. The North Dakota National Guard is proud to partner with the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection—including the Agence Nationale de la Protection Civile—and the chief of defense staff to advance our shared commitment to a safer, more prosperous future. (National Guard Story & photos from U.S. Embassy Lome)
Thanks to Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, and his team for their recent visit to Lomé.
New Dickinson Readiness Center
State, local, military leaders, and contractors cut a piece of ribbon during the Dickinson Readiness Center ribbon cutting ceremony, Sept. 24, 2025, Dickinson, North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Nathan Rivard)
Gov. Kelly Armstrong provides remarks during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Dickinson Readiness Center.
The $27 million new readiness center will house the 816th Military Police Company of the North Dakota Army National Guard and was part of a Fiscal Year 2022 military construction project that began in August 2023.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen do the hard part, they put their lives on the line every day to defend our freedoms and deliver peace through strength,” said Gov. Kelly Armstrong. “It’s our job to make sure they have the equipment and training facilities they need to be the very best they can be, and there’s no doubt about it, our Guard units are as good as they come.”
State, local, military leaders, and contractors pose for a photo before cutting a piece of ribbon during the Dickinson Readiness Center ribbon cutting ceremony, Sept. 24, Dickinson, North Dakota.
The 40,188 sq. ft. readiness center was constructed over two years with the infrastructure to support the 816th Military Police Company.
“The National Guard is the combat reserve of the Army and Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, the North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. “We operate on 4% of the Department of War budget, we provide 20% of the joint combat capabilities, and we do it in places like this readiness center. This is where readiness is generated.”
The facility has an assembly hall, classrooms, admin areas, locker rooms, kitchen, and other miscellaneous areas built to support the unit.
“When I first enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard 30 years ago, I was in the Dickinson unit,” said U.S. Army Col. Cody Volk, master of ceremonies for the event and the director of installations and environment for the North Dakota National Guard. “This project became a reality because of the support and dedication of our members of Congress, our Governor, and our state legislators.”
Flight Vanguard Award
U.S. Army Maj. Morris Duffy was awarded the BG Soliz Flight Vanguard Award for Aeromedical Physician Assistant of the Year from the Society of U.S. Army Flight Surgeons by Lt. Col. Joshua Yri, commander of the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, on Sept. 14 at the Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Fargo. (National Guard photos submitted by the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
New Army Grooming Standards
Welcome Home
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tyler Wangle, 119th Security Forces Squadron, was welcomed by his family and unit members at Hector International Airport after returning from a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia on Sept. 17. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Gaeu, 119th Mission Support Group, deputy commander, greets Staff Sgt. Yulya Turnbo of the 119th Mission Support Group returned from a deployment to Hector International Airport in Fargo, Sept. 18.
Turnbo is among many North Dakota Air National Guard members to return from a scheduled Deployment Reserve Component Period 6, with more than 125-unit members expected to return in the coming months.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast highlights the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena
Kachena enlisted in the NDARNG in 2000 as a stinger crewmember and is now the SCSM. He has served in leadership positions including first sergeant, battalion and brigade operations noncommissioned officer, and commandant of the 164th Regional Training Institute. He has also deployed to Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2011. He also served in the National Capital Region in 2013.
ND1000
Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) September Drill
Check out our warriors from RSP weekend! Urban warfare is one of the most complex and demanding environments a Soldier can face. MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain) training prepares warfighters for combat in cities and built-up areas where threats can come from any direction, and the environment changes block by block.
Hazardous Waste Course
The North Dakota Army National Guard's G9 Environmental Office hosted a nationwide Hazardous Waste Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Course on September 23–25. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
On Day 3 of the course, Andrew Schirado, environmental compliance manager for the North Dakota National Guard G-9, demonstrated how to apply the instructions from the first two days to Army National Guard activities. The final day also included practical exercises in inspecting hazardous waste storage areas and a review of hazardous waste management plans.
There were 24 attendees from 14 states: Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
Bismarck Marathon
Sgt. 1st Class Justin Quinlen, Joint Force Headquarters, took part and finished the 2025 Bismarck Marathon in Bismarck, North Dakota, Sept. 20. (Photo courtesy of the Bismarck Marathon)
The event included a full marathon, a half-marathon, and a relay race.
Quinlen finished the half-marathon at 16th overall in his age group.
The marathon has been North Dakota's longest-running marathon since its introduction in 1981. It features a flat, out-and-back course along the Missouri River that is certified for Boston Marathon qualifying times.
Working With Your Nervous System
We know that humans are highly evolved, just ask any college professor. But at the end of the day, we still respond to our environment much like other mammals do, from our nervous system. This means that responses to stress are automatic and tend to follow a pattern. How this pattern developed is something worth investigating. However, you don’t necessarily need to know how the pattern developed to change it. (Information from Caren Stewart, Integrated Primary Prevention Specialist)
Think of a typical workday last week. How did it start? Did you wake up naturally or did the squawking of your alarm clock welcome you to the day? Was it cold when you got out of bed? Was it dark outside or light? Did you have hot water when you went to take a shower? What did you have for breakfast? Did you enjoy it? Were you out of a favorite food or drink item? Were the pants you wanted to wear clean? Did you have to iron them? And we haven’t even covered whether the kids were ready on time!
These questions might seem irrelevant, but the point is to realize there are virtually hundreds of micro stressors occurring throughout your day that can impact your mood, emotions, and responses. We humans are very particular and sensitive to our environments; if one small thing is “off” it can throw off our entire morning! However, we may not even be aware how these micro stressors and responses can impact our day. That is until we find ourselves “overreacting” to a seemingly minor event.
For instance, you woke up in a panic, there was no hot water for your shower, and someone used up the rest of the coffee. Then the kids start arguing with each other, and the next thing you know, you’re yelling at them to stop as you slam the empty coffee pot on the counter. The kids look confused; they’re always arguing with each other, so why is your response so different today?
Each one of these micro stressors—waking up in a panic, no hot water for the shower, no coffee—can cause your nervous system to become activated. It’s completely normal to move into “fight or flight” mode when a bear is standing in front of you, but it may not seem as obvious when there’s simply no hot water. However, our brain/body still perceives this situation as stressful.
When we’re not aware of these micro stressors, they can add up throughout the day, causing us to overreact or shutdown when our nervous system becomes flooded by the stimuli in our environment.
Therefore, it’s important to check in with yourself throughout the day, to get your temperature so to speak. It can be as easy as closing your eyes and noticing any areas of tension or tightness in your body. You might notice that you carry this tension or tightness in very specific places, like your shoulders or neck. If you are noticing tension, try taking a couple of slow breaths, either breathing into that area or imagining the tension releasing as you breathe out. Sometimes simply acknowledging that the tension is there is enough to release it.
Being a human is not always easy, and we don’t get an instruction manual. Most of the time, we are learning from the adults in our lives, who may not handle stress in the same way we want to handle it and want our children to handle it. But as adults ourselves, we now get to choose how we handle our stress. Step one is to identify the stressors in your life and how you respond to them. Awareness is key to beginning any behavior change.
How you feel matters and should be important to you!
The Army DEOCS Final
The Army DEOCS Final refers to the results and data analysis of the Defense Organizational Climate Survey, a tool used by the Department of War to assess unit and organizational climate.
Upcoming Open Houses
Loneliness is the New Smoking
From the U.S. Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness
Staff Sgt. Zabka Retires
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lucus Zabka, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 131st Military Police Battalion, received the State Meritorious Service Medal at a retirement ceremony for Staff Sgt. Lucus Zabka Sept. 12, at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard photos courtesy of 131st Military Police Battalion social media)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lucus Zabka received the State Meritorious Service Medal from Capt. Jonathan Hwang, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 131st Military Police Battalion, commander, with the State Meritorious Service Medal at his retirement at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck.
Zabka was celebrated for his 14-year career of military service.
Golden Eagle Award
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, adjutant general, North Dakota National Guard, attended the Bismarck Mandan Chamber for their annual Celebrate Bismarck-Mandan event to honor the businesses, organizations, and leaders.
Brig. Gen. Johnson awarded Kraus Anderson Construction Company the Golden Eagle Award for supporting military personnel both in the broader community and within their own company.
ESGR Statement of Support
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support, which publicly declares his commitment to continue supporting employees in the Guard and Reserve at the Capitol on Sept. 19. (ESGR photos by Rob Keller, North Dakota ESGR Vice-Chair)
The Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employees to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units.
Gov. Armstrong says by signing this statement, we reaffirm that our public institutions will continue to support employees who serve, and we encourage every employer across North Dakota to do the same.
Veterans Cemetery Benches
The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery received new benches across the grounds courtesy of VFW Auxiliary POST 1326 in Bismarck. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Gift was part of a VFW Presidential Project, which refers to the special initiative undertaken by the VFW National President (or the National Auxiliary President) to focus on a specific cause or need for a designated period.
The new benches are lightweight and easier to move during the winter months. They are made of steel with a powder-coated finish and feature cast-iron ends, a backrest and armrests, making them easier to use—especially for older adults.
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery held a Volunteer Appreciation Lunch on Sept. 17 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Col. Patrick Flanagan, Army chief of staff for the North Dakota National Guard, thanked volunteers during a Volunteer Appreciation Lunch.
The event celebrates the end of the summer season and thanks all the veteran volunteers who help maintain the grounds.
Veterans Stand Down
Retired Reunion
Retired Soldiers who served over the years with the 164th Regiment, Regional Training Institute gathered for a mini reunion at Camp Grafton on Sept. 6. (U.S. Army National Guard story by Shirley J. Olgeirson, North Dakota National Guard Historian)
“It’s been great seeing the old crew,” commented Cindy Kasper as she helped identify everyone in the photo, which was taken on her tablet. Brian Olhauser came to the reunion from a flag presentation at a Devils Lake rodeo. LeAnn Klett reminisced about her time at Fraine Barracks before moving to Devils Lake to start a coffee business. The group enjoyed chiding each other with funny stories and reminiscing about who worked with whom over the years.
Front row: Jim Gorres, Michelle Gorres, Dawn Van Steenvort, Dawn Rasmussen Ryan, Brian Olhauser, Dean Areinke, Cindy Kasper, Cory Schall. Back row: LeAnn Klett, Sam Hansen, Phil Engmann, Becky Kueffler, Marty Kueffler, Kelly Elkin, Derrick Childs, Don Kasper.
Upcoming Halloween Events
Western North Dakota Honor Flight
Gov. Kelly Armstrong and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, adjutant general, North Dakota National Guard, greeted veterans on their return after a Western North Dakota Honor Flight at the Bismarck Airport, Sept 23. (Photos by the office of Gov. Kelly Armstrong)
Western North Dakota Honor Flight is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. They transport heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials.