North Dakota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen participating in the annual Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match pose with senior N.D. National Guard leaders at the Camp Grafton Training Center firing complex, near McHenry, N.D., July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match
The 119th Wing alpha team took top honors for the sixth year in a row at the annual Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match held July 7 to 11, 2022, at the Camp Grafton Training Center Firing Complex, near McHenry, N.D. The North Dakota Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters team took second place while the 119th Wing Bravo team took 3rd place. (National Guard story by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Above: Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, right, checks his target with Staff Sgt. Evan Messer, range safety officer, during a distinguished visitor shooting period at the annual North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match at the Camp Grafton Training Center firing complex, near McHenry, North Dakota, July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Staff Sgt. Gavin Rook, 119th Wing, was the top open class aggregate individual shooter, winning five out of the eight individual open categories. Pfc. Logan Hellman, 816th Military Police Company, won three novice categories earning him honors as the top novice class individual shooter.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, Col. Tad Schauer, N.D. National Guard director of staff, Air, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. National Guard senior enlisted leader, participated in a distinguished visitor qualification shoot and presented awards at the completion of the event.
Staff Sgt. Josh Renville, 119th Wing, left, provides shooting tips for Col. Tad Schauer, N.D. National Guard director of staff, Air, during the distinguished visitor shooting period at the annual N.D. National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match, Camp Grafton Training Center, July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
This year's competition included 79 Soldiers and Airmen on 18 teams, with 28 novice shooters. The Guardsmen fired more than 31,000 rounds of ammunition.
The match included 14 scored individual and team categories in the Beretta M9 pistol and the M4 carbine rifle events.
The purpose of the competition is to build skill-at-arms for the participants. Improving their firing skills and techniques allows them to assist their unit's marksmanship program. This competition also allows them to build comradely among their fellow Soldiers and Airmen.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, aims a M17 Sig Sauer 9mm pistol at the Camp Grafton Training Center firing complex, near McHenry, N.D. during a distinguished visitor shooting portion at the annual N.D. National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match, July 11, 2022. (National Guard photos by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Col. Tad Schauer, N.D. National Guard director of staff, Air, aims a Beretta M9 pistol during a distinguished visitor shooting portion at the annual N.D. National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship, Camp Grafton Training Center, July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
“This is a community of Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen with a common interest at improving their craft. Marksmanship competition improves lethality, an important component of our military profession,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general.
From left to right Staff Sgt. Gavin Rook, 119th Wing, Staff Sgt. Evan Messer, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, and Staff Sgt. Josh Renville, 119th Wing, discuss marksmanship during the annual N.D. National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match, Camp Grafton Training Center, N.D. July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
The N.D. Governor’s Twenty patch recognizes the individual marksmanship of the top 20 percent of the N.D. National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match. These patches were presented for the second time in the history of the N.D. National Guard. The patch is authorized on uniforms within the state and at higher-level competitions.
N.D. Governor’s Twenty award. Top patch is authorized for Army National Guard, while the other patch depicts the Air National Guard version.
Six Airmen and ten Soldiers earned the Governor’s Twenty patch. The Airmen are Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson, Staff Sgt. Gavin Rook, Staff Sgt. Josh Renville, Staff Sgt. Tyrel Hoppe, Staff Sgt. Hunter Martineau, Staff Sgt. Matthew Jasper. The Soldiers are Capt. Thomas Gross, Command Sgt. Major Joseph Wesson, Staff Sgt. Evan Messer, Staff Sgt. Brandon Wendland, Sgt. Tyler Goldade, Sgt. Andrew Maley, Sgt. Dayton Slama, Sgt. Tanner Coauette, Spc. Cauy Ellingson and Pfc. Logan Hellman.
Congratulations to all Soldiers and Airmen who participated in this great competition which improved their marksmanship skills. I encourage those that earned the Governor's Twenty award to wear their patches with pride and help spread the word about our marksmanship program and all of the great opportunities it provides our Guard members,” said Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. National Guard deputy adjutant general.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, left, presents the top shooter award to Staff Sgt. Gavin Rook, 119th Wing, for his achievement at the annual N.D. National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match, Camp Grafton Training Center, July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
The 119th Wing Alpha team took first place at the N.D. National Guard annual Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match. From left, Staff Sgt. Hunter Martineau, Staff Sgt. Gavin Rook, Staff Sgt. Josh Renville and Staff Sgt. Matthew Jasper, Camp Grafton Training Center, N.D., July 11, 2022. (U.S. National Guard photo by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, left, awards Pvt. Logan Hellman, 816th Military Police Company, the first place novice award for the "Run and Gun" competition during the annual N.D. National Guard Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match, Camp Grafton Training Center, N.D., July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, awards Sgt. Tyler Goldade, Joint Force Headquarters, the first place award for "Close Quarter Battle" at the Camp Grafton Training Center firing complex, near McHenry, North Dakota, July 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
“This is the best joint event that we conduct every year,” said Dohrmann.
The top shooters from this match will advance to the regional competition competing as blended Army and Air National Guard teams. The top finishers from the regional competition will have the opportunity to participate in national competitions.
The adjutant general also took this opportunity to recognize the N.D. National Guard's Soldiers and Airmen that comprised the 2022 U.S. All-Army Small Arms Championship team.
Team members included the Air National Guard's Staff Sgt. Gavin Rook and Staff Sgt. Josh Renville, and Army National Guard members Sgt. Tyler Goldade and Staff Sgt. Evan Messer. It was the first time the N.D. National Guard won these team event at the competition held last March at Fort Benning, Georgia. This competition included many of the best marksmen in the nation.
N.D. Military Museum - Bismarck-Mandan EDC Brief
Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, briefed members of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC on the N.D. Military Museum proposal initiative, Bismarck, July 12, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The N.D. National Guard Foundation and the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND) formed a collaborative effort to explore, promote, design, fund raise and construct a museum honoring the many achievements of North Dakotans military members.
Informational briefings on the museum initiative is intended to gain concurrence and support of community leaders and other centers of influence across the state.
Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, speaks with members of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC about a proposed N.D. Military Museum, in Bismarck, July 12, 2022.
N.D. Army National Guard Recruiters Conduct ROPES Training
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Tanata, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, led ROPES training for 10 students and three staff members of DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) in the vicinity of the Ramada Inn, Bismarck, N.D., July 14, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Maj. Jaren Sherven, executive officer, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion)
ROPES training is a cooperative team building activity, focused on problem solving, communication, and team coordination. The recruiters were granted a little over an hour to do to this team building activity with the students who hailed from across North Dakota. The students were in Bismarck for a DECA seminar which is intended to prepare high school students to become future leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
The N.D. Army Guard recruiters led the students in five different ROPES events and discussed National Guard options, as well their williness to bring ROPES events to their high schools upon request.
Professional Development
Lt. Col. Michelle Hagel, N.D. National Guard joint staff judge advocate, conducted this month's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., July 13, 2022. Her briefing was livestreamed state-wide to all N.D. National Guard full-time members. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Hagel's presentation was titled Ethical Standards for Federal Employees - Relationships with Non-Federal Entities, Fundraisers, Political Activities. Because federal employees have a high standard of conduct, there are rules and regulations to help ensure they keep the public's trust. This training helps remind them of their ethical and legal obligations.
Retiree Advisory Board
The N.D. National Guard Retiree Advisory Board (RAB), held a meeting at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, July 12, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Purpose of the meeting was to discuss the upcoming Retiree Appreciation Days scheduled for Sept. 9 to 11, 2022 at the Camp Grafton Training Center. Formerly called Retiree Reunion Weekend, this annual event is dedicated to all N.D. National Guard retirees and their guests or former members of and features briefings by senior N.D. Guard leaders, benefits updates and other activities.
The RAB expects to finalize agenda and send invitations by next week. Please email retirees@midco.net if are interested in attending but didn't receive an invitation.
Appreciation
After this month's professional development, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, presented Maj. Chance Schaffner, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the N.D. National Guard State Commendation Ribbon at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., July 13, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Schaffner received the award for his work during his unit's Warfighter Exercise 21-03 in support of U.S. Army III Corps. His leadership and ensured mission success and built proficiency among the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade staff.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, right, awarded Maj. Chance Schaffner, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the N.D. National Guard State Commendation Ribbon, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. July 13, 2022.
Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, N.D. Army National Guard state command sergeant major presented Jon Haugen, N.D. National Guard Visual Information, a coin in recognition of his outstanding work in effectively livestreaming several N.D. National Guard's annual Memorial Day ceremonies, Raymond J. Bohn armory, July 13, 2022. Haugen's efforts ensured the ceremony at the N.D. Veterans Cemetery was professionally captured on video from 2019 to 2022. This was especially important during the 2020 ceremony which had limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, N.D. Army National Guard state command sergeant major, reads the justification for a recognition coin for Jon Haugen, N.D. National Guard Visual Information, Raymond J. Bohn armory, July 13, 2022.
Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, N.D. Army National Guard state command sergeant major presented Staff Sgt. Marty Mosbrucker, Joint Force Headquarters, a recognition coin, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., July 13, 2022.
Mosbrucker was recognized for over 15 years of hard work in professional producing printed copies of the annual Memorial Day ceremony program conducted at the N.D. Veterans Cemetery. Working with last minute changes and other adjustments to the program, he created a feasible and effective process which allowed changes to be easily submitted. Mosbrucher typically prints, folds and sorts between 3,000 and 3,500 copies of the program and cemetery statistics in support of the largest Memorial Day observance in the state.
Supporting the Employers that Support the National Guard
Ten Bismarck-Mandan area employers of N.D. National Guard members experienced what its like to be a Guardsman first-hand during a N.D. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, July 8, 2022. (National Guard story by Rob Keller, ESGR Volunteer) (National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Department of Defense established the ESGR program in 1972 in order to promote cooperation and understanding between employers and their reserve component service members employees. The Boss Lift program allows employers to ride about military aircraft and experience military training and environment to improve their awareness of military service.
The employers began their experience at the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck where they received a briefing by retired Master Sgt. Rob Keller, ESGR volunteer. Later the employers flew to Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, N.D., in a UH-60 Black Hawk, operated by Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment (Assault).
Rob Keller, ESGR Volunteer, briefs ten employers on what the N.D. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) can do to support the military service of National Guard and reserve component Soldiers, Airmen, and their families, N.D. National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, July 8, 2022.
Employers walk towards a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, July 8, 2022.
“Balancing work and military service brings many challenges,” said Delton Steele, N.D. ESGR chair. “ESGR has helped both employers and Guard and Reserve employees meet those challenges.”
First Sgt. Brian Schmoker, senior operations non-commissioned officer for the 164th Regional Training Institute (RTI), briefs Bismarck-Mandan area employers on the role and capabilities of the RTI, Camp Grafton Training Center, July 8, 2022.
“This boss lift will help familiarize employers and community leaders with the vital role the Guard and Reserve plays in preserving national security. It acquaints employers with how the Guard and Reserve train in response to their community and their country in a time of need,” said retired Master Sgt. Russ Kroshus, ESGR volunteer, who accompanied the employers on their Boss Lift.
Bismarck-Mandan employers participating in the ESGR Boss Lift watch Soldiers and Airmen compete at the annual Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match, Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, July 8, 2022.
Employers represented on the boss lift included Freedom Mine, City of Mandan, N.D. Information Technology, Capital Credit Union, Gate City Bank, Scheels, All American Handyman, Bismarck/Mandan Chamber EDC, West Dakota Heating and Air and Midwest Motor Express.
Not only is employer support important for the well-being of National Guard and Reserve component members they employ, it’s also important for emergency readiness at the state and local level as well as the nation’s military readiness as a whole.
Promotions
Col. Russell Wolf, N.D. Army National Guard construction and facilities management officer, presided over a promotion ceremony to lieutenant colonel in honor of Kristopher Elijah, facilities plans and program manager, at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., July 14, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Lt. Col. Mark Topp, N.D. Army National Guard G-3 state training officer, presided over the promotion to major of Jake Danduran, officer in charge, 131st Military Police Battalion, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., July 14, 2022.
Maj. Mike Champagne, commander, N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, presided over Chris J. Dietz's promotion ceremony to first sergeant, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., July 14, 2022. Dietz, a full-time surface maintenance mechanic leader, serves as the top sergeant for the Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion.
Chris Dietz, watches his wife Tanya affix the rank of first sergeant on his uniform at his promotion ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., July 14, 2022. At left is Maj. Mike Champagne, commander, N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, who presided over the promotion ceremony.
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