A military police Soldier fires at a target during the annual TAG (The Adjutant General) Match at Camp Grafton South on July 1. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Contents
- New Chief Warrant Officer 5
- Phase 1 Completed
- The Adjutant General's Match
- Da Guards Podcast
- Military Gallery Groundbreaking
- K-9 Training at Camp Grafton Training Center
- Airman First Class Nicole Hix Journey to Citizenship
- ND 1000
- Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment Annual Training
- 6th Annual 142nd Engineer Battalion Golf Tournament
- 4th of July
- 141st Engineer Combat Battalion Reunion
- Financial Freedom
- 988 Lifeline / FirstLink
- Military Adventure Night
- 818th Engineer Company
New Chief Warrant Officer 5
U.S. Army Col. Raymond Ripplinger, 164th Regiment-Regional Training Institute, Commander, presided over a promotion ceremony for Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiley Kuntz, State Command Chief Warrant Officer, at Raymond J. Bohn Armory, in Bismarck, North Dakota, July 7.
Phase 1 Completed
North Dakota officer candidates completed Phase 1 of Officer Candidate School at Fort Meade, South Dakota, on June 14. (U.S. Army National Guard photo from Maj. Chad A. Worrel, senior platoon trainer)
The Adjutant General's Match
Soldiers and Airmen gathered for the annual TAG (The Adjutant General) Match, a spirited five-day competition at Camp Grafton Training Center South, from June 27 to July 1. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Overall Team Aggregate
1st Place - Joint Force Headquarters Alpha Team: Brig. Gen. Benjamin Cleghorn, Staff Sgt. Tyler Goldade, Maj. John Kelly, and 1st Sgt. Dustin Kirschenmann.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast highlights the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll
Kroll was the host of the Da Guards Podcast, but has taken a new position with the North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting & Retention Battalion. This episode will focus on the previous host and his movement into his new role.
Military Gallery Groundbreaking
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Military Gallery expansion at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum’s outdoor Prairie Amphitheater will take place July 10 at 5 p.m.
K-9 Training at Camp Grafton Training Center
The 3rd annual K-9 Force of the North Conference and Workshop was held at Camp Grafton June 16-20. Benson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Travis Carlson was the lead planner for the event. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos from Maj. Luke D. Malheim, operations officer, Camp Grafton Training Center)
Thanks to Camp Grafton’s support, we were able to provide a high-quality training environment that directly contributes to public safety in our region. We look forward to continuing this partnership and sincerely hope to return to Camp Grafton for future training events,” said Chief Deputy Travis Carlson.
Airman First Class Nicole Hix Journey to Citizenship
ND 1000
Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment Annual Training
Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, conducted its annual training June 2-11 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos from Sgt. Andrew Rice, Charlie Battery C, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery)
Spc. Mikenzi Lytle and Spc. Joclynn Beske provide overwatch after converting to Man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) from the Avenger Weapon System along the Mississippi River at Camp Ripley.
On June 9, during a wet-gap crossing, Charlie Battery provided overwatch with the Avenger Weapon System and one converted to a MANPADS along the Mississippi River’s riverbank.
The South Dakota National Guard conducted bridge-building operations with assistance from the Minnesota National Guard, using Chinooks to deliver boats and bridge sections that enabled the successful crossing of more than 20 military vehicles.
The operation started at 6 a.m. and was completed with the last vehicle crossing just before 11 a.m.
6th Annual 142nd Engineer Battalion Golf Tournament
The 6th Annual 142nd Engineer Battalion Golf Tournament will be held at Bjornson Park Public Golf Course in Valley City, North Dakota, Aug. 6. (Information provided courtesy of Cody Brekken)
The tournament will be played in scramble format with 2-person teams. Each team will be paired with another team to play alongside.
In a golf scramble, each player on a team tees off on each hole, and the team selects the best shot. All players then play their subsequent shots from that chosen spot, continuing this process until the ball is holed.
Registration must be done by July 24!
To reigister, please get in touch with Cody Brekken at 701-845-6721 or email cody.a.brekken.mil@army.mil
4th of July
The North Dakota National Guard helped celebrate America’s 249th birthday in the Mandan Fourth of July parade in Mandan, North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Spc. Timothy Knudson, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Guard members Pfc. Joel Norris of the 68th Troop Command; Spc. Theodore Schulz of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery; Spc. Geri Berg of the 816th Military Police Company; and 1st Sgt. Travice Tesky of the North Dakota Army National Guard Training Center served as the color guard, driving a Common Bridge Transporter in the parade. Spc. Dacotah Williamson and Spc. Hannah Weston of the 957th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, also participated.
141st Engineer Combat Battalion Reunion
Financial Freedom
Smart money habits are crucial for mission readiness and personal well-being. Financial stress is a leading cause of anxiety, depression, and relationship problems, impacting a service member’s ability to focus and respond effectively. (Information from Ron Murray, Integrated Primary Prevention Specialist)
To take control, start with a step-by-step approach:
- Get a clear picture of your income-to -expenses ratio and eliminate unnecessary spending.
- Create a “starter” emergency fund, at minimum, that should cover your auto/home insurance deductible ($500-$2.5K). It can be used for minor unexpected expenses.
- Pay down high-interest debt using the snowball method (smallest balance first) or avalanche method (highest interest rate first), not including a mortgage.
- Build a “reservoir” emergency fund that can sustain all your expenses for 3 months ($5K-$15K). It can protect against major disruptions like job loss, illness, and repairs.
- Invest 15% of your monthly income. TSP or even an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) is the best way to a comfortable retirement!
Long-Term Planning is Key: With nearly 60% of Americans unable to cover a $1,000 expense, and half of 55-year-olds having no savings, proactive planning is vital. Leverage resources like Military OneSource for free tools and counseling (1-800-342-9647).
Why it Matters: Social Security will likely only cover 35-40% of your needed retirement income, and healthcare costs between 65-100 can reach $315K (plus potential long-term care expenses). As a rule of thumb, you’ll need 75-80% of your current income to maintain annual costs during retirement.
Remember: Planning for your financial future is paramount. Financial Freedom is NOT about getting rich, it’s about controlling your finances, so it doesn’t control you. If you think you can or can’t achieve Financial Freedom, you’re right!
Dave Ramsey says it best, “Don’t spend money you don’t have, to buy things you don’t need, to impress people you don’t like.”
Resources
988 Lifeline / FirstLink
North Dakota Behavioral Health Division
Military Adventure Night
The State Family Programs, Child and Youth, and the USO held a Military Adventure Night June 26 at the North Dakota Game and Fish in Bismarck, North Dakota. (U.S. Army National Guard photos courtesy of the State Family Programs and Child & Youth)
Families enjoyed activities such as fishing, scavenger hunts, rock painting, and making pinecone bird feeders.
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