Military Family Winter Carnival
In celebration of the Month of the Military Family, the N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program hosted a Winter Carnival on Nov. 26 at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck. Military families were treated to a myriad of holiday-themed activities to include cookie decorating, ornament making, participating in an indoor snowball fight, as well as playing games while enjoying hot chocolate. The favorite activity, however, was visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus, portrayed by volunteers Glenn and Doris Boepple. In its third year, nearly 200 military family members attended this event. Top photo: Santa visits with military children during the N.D. Guard's Winter Carnival on Nov. 26.
Year in Review Video
I congratulate and thank you for another successful year in the N.D. National Guard (NDNG). It's the daily hard work of our professional Soldiers, Airmen and Civilians who make this organization great. Please accept my sincerest gratitude for a job well done as we look back and celebrate another great year of service to our communities, state and nation. I hope you enjoy the Year in Review video highlighting our many outstanding accomplishments throughout 2019.- Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, the Adjutant General.
Please click to view the N.D. National Guard's 2019 Year in Review video.
TAG Townhall held at Camp Grafton
The N.D. adjutant general, Maj. Gen Al Dohrmann conducted a townhall at Camp Grafton Training Center on Dec. 4. The townhall provided a first hand update on the activities and initiatives of the N.D. Guard to the employees who work at the camp. Dohrmann also honored several individuals during the event.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann awards achievement coins to Camp Grafton employees in recognition of their excellent blizzard emergency response actions in Oct. From left to right, Steve Elfman, Garry Vick and Adam Berger.
Soldiers listen to Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann render remarks during a townhall on Dec. 4.
National Guard Partners with Tribal Colleges on Tuition Assistance
The N.D. National Guard celebrated historic agreements with Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC) on the Turtle Mountain Reservation and the Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) on the Spirit Lake Reservation. These institutions became the second and third tribal colleges in North Dakota to agree to participate in the state’s tuition waiver program. With this program, colleges can waive an amount equal to 25% of tuition for qualifying members of the N.D. National Guard. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general signed the agreements along with the two college presidents.
Bismarck Employer Earns ESGR's Patriot Award
Demonstrating support for their employer, N.D. National Guard Soldiers Capt. Vanessa Lennick and Maj. Callie Stein nominated Bismarck's Proximal50 Life Center CEO, Tana Trotter, for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. The award was presented by ESGR volunteer, retired Lt. Col. Kevin Iverson, on Dec. 3. Specifically, Trotter was cited for offering flexible scheduling which allows her Guard employees to accomplish their military duties. Trotter also offered Veterans free classes in celebration of Veterans Day.
New Army Personnel System Training
The implementation of the N.D. National Guard's Integrated Personnel and Pay System - Army (IPPSA) is underway with a scheduled "Go Live" date of Dec. 16, 2020. The training of more than 160 human resource professionals from across our state began this week in Bismarck at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory. This training provides instruction on IPPSA's innovative technology and processes and will be phased into the National Guard in two phases. The personnel module is being fielded from 2019 to 2020 and the pay implementation phase is projected for the 2023 to 2024 timeframe.
Retired N.D. Guardsman Honored at NFL Game
Retired N.D. Guardsman Master Sgt. Al Herda Jr. was recognized for his military service during the nationally televised NFL game last Sunday night in Houston, Texas. He and his grandson Ben, stood on the Houston Texans' sidelines and received the game ball. Herda served at Camp Grafton Training Center for over 30 years. Read more at N.D. Soldier honored during Sunday Night Football.
Master Sgt. Al Herda Jr. and grandson Ben sit in the stands at the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots game on Dec. 1 in Houston.
Receive the TAG Line by Email
Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.