The Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion, North Dakota Army National Guard, conducted sling load operations with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, during a field training exercise at LTA Lisbon. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Dustin Kelly, Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion, executive officer)
Contents
- Change of Responsibility
- The Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion FTX
- Da Guards Podcast
- Paramedic Sustainment Course
- First Day of School!
- ND1000
- Building Leaders
- Active Communication
- ESGR Lisbon Boss Lift
- Military Father-Daughter Ball Events
- Veterans Stand Down
- Upcoming Open Houses
- USO North Dakota
- Roughrider Golf Tournament
Change of Responsibility
The North Dakota National Guard Medical Detachment hosted a change of responsibility ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck on Aug. 24. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Maj. Vanessa Lennick, North Dakota National Guard Medical Detachment)
Outgoing 1st Sgt. Melanie Vincent of the North Dakota National Guard Medical Detachment receives the guidon from 2nd Lt. Ashley King during a change of responsibility ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck.
A change of responsibility ceremony is a military tradition that marks the transfer of leadership and authority from one senior non-commissioned officer to another.
U.S. Army Maj. Matthew Winters, North Dakota National Guard Medical Detachment, commander, hands the guidon to incoming 1st Sgt. Joseph Heiser, during a change of responsibility ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, in Bismarck.
The passing of the unit's guidon represents its history, lineage, and authority, which is passed from the outgoing 1SG to the company commander, who then hands it to the new 1SG.
The Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion FTX
The Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion, North Dakota Army National Guard, conducted a field training exercise at LTA Lisbon, honing critical skills essential for rapid deployment and sustained operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by 1st Lt. Dustin Kelly, Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion, executive officer)
The field training exercise focused on establishing a secure command post, reinforcing tactical communications proficiency through extensive training on loading and operating Joint Battle Command-Platform radios, and conducting sling load operations with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment.
The 142nd Engineer Battalion’s Distribution Platoon executed a live refueling mission to Wishek, North Dakota, providing essential logistical support to the 815th Engineer Company, Horizontal.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast highlights the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kiley Kuntz
Kuntz is the command chief warrant officer for the North Dakota Army National Guard and is also the senior property book officer for the NDARNG. She began her career as a bridge crewmember with the 957th Engineer Company, based out of Bismarck, before joining the Warrant Officer Corps. Over the course of her career, she has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During her deployment to Afghanistan, she managed the largest warehouse in the Army, facilitating the delivery of up to 5,000 items per day.
Paramedic Sustainment Course
The NDARNG held a 68W Paramedic Sustainment Course July 28 - August 7 at the Fargo Readiness Center. (U.S. National Guard Story and photos by Master Sgt. Sean Knodel, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Soldiers with the military occupational specialty (MOS) of 68W who hold paramedic certification attended the course. Their MOS designations included 68W-F2, or Critical Care Flight Paramedics, and 68W-3P paramedics who serve in roles other than Special Operations Combat Medic or Critical Care Flight Paramedic.
Jeremy Aker, an Altru Ultrasound Technician, teaches students what to look for when scanning a patient.
A total of 10 Soldiers completed recertification for their National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) paramedic certification. Both 68Ws and NREMT require recertification training every two years. As part of the process, Soldiers were recertified in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Subject matter experts led the course, including civilian medical professionals from Sanford Health, Essentia Health, and the University of North Dakota’s physician assistant program. Specialists in OB/GYN, pediatrics, trauma, and emergency care including rural North Dakota and Minnesota emergency room physician assistants and registered nurses supported the training.
Students load a patient into the back of a U.S. Army Lakota air ambulance assigned to Delta Company, 112th Aviation Regiment.
Simulation In Motion–North Dakota (SIM-ND) provided obstetrical delivery training using a simulation manikin, helping 68W paramedics prepare to assist with pre-hospital births when necessary.
The Soldiers traveled to the University of North Dakota physician assistant program’s simulation medical training site to receive instruction in pre-hospital ultrasound, conduct an anatomy lab, practice airway intervention techniques and tube thoracostomy, and review medical and trauma cases with rural emergency department physician assistants.
The training was highly effective. Soldiers will be able to apply their enhanced medical knowledge and skills not only while in uniform, but also in their civilian roles. All participants currently work in emergency medical services across North Dakota and Minnesota as paramedics or critical care flight nurses.
First Day of School!
Soldiers from the North Dakota Army National Guard kicked off the first day of school by raising the nations flag at Elkridge elementary school.
ND1000
Building Leaders
From Aug. 2-9 in Accra, Ghana, U.S. soldiers and airmen teamed up with the Ghana Armed Forces and U.S. Embassy leadership for a week of training and partnership. The mission: deliver a noncommissioned officer course and prepare Ghana’s Best Warrior competitor for the upcoming competition at Camp Grafton, Devils Lake. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Jarrod R. Simek, director, State Partnership Program)
With topics ranging from troop-leading procedures and leadership styles to women in the military and resilience, the course sparked powerful dialogue and left participants motivated, inspired and ready to lead.
The collaboration didn’t just train soldiers — it built lasting connections. Ghanaian service members left with tools to strengthen their own force, while U.S. instructors gained invaluable perspective from their Ghana Armed Forces counterparts. From classroom lectures to hands-on warrior tasks, every moment reinforced the value of the State Partnership Program: building leaders, building trust and building the future — together.
Active Communication
Active communication is a style of interaction in which all parties are fully engaged, attentive and responsive. Unlike passive or one-sided communication, active communication emphasizes mutual understanding and the effective exchange of information, ideas and emotions. (Information from Johnathan Fankhanel, 119th Wing, Force Support Squadron / Force Support officer)
In this article, I’ll provide a brief overview of how you can enhance your communication skills—specifically by becoming a more active and effective communicator.
Key Features of Active Communication:
1. Active Listening -
- Giving full attention to the speaker
- Nodding, eye contact, and appropriate facial expressions
- Asking clarifying questions
- Paraphrasing to show understanding
2. Clear Expression -
- Speaking honestly and respectfully
- Using “I” statements (e.g., “I feel…”)
- Avoiding vague language or assumptions
3. Nonverbal Cues -
- Body language that matches your message
- Appropriate tone, posture, and gestures
ESGR Lisbon Boss Lift
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Volunteers, in collaboration with the ND Army National Guard, arranged for a group of business leaders from the Fargo area to participate in an ESGR Boss Lift held on August 16 at a training site outside of Lisbon. (ESGR article by Kristy Wangler, North Dakota ESGR Public Affairs)
U.S. Army Capt. Eric Moen and 1st Sgt. Warren Braaten of the Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion, briefed employers on concealing tents and equipment with camouflage netting and provided an up-close look at the vehicles they use.
Employers observed sling load training exercises involving the pickup and drop-off of a 10K generator with trailer, a pallet of MREs in a cargo net, and a Humvee trailer. They also saw how the 231st Field Feeding Team provides food for service members and, under the instruction of Staff Sgt. Taylor Krug, enjoyed MREs (meals ready-to-eat) for lunch.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s (ESGR) Boss Lift Program gives employers a firsthand look at the challenges and sacrifices faced by National Guard and Reserve members. By participating, employers gain a better understanding of the skills and experiences their Guard and Reserve employees bring to the workplace. They also learn how military training and deployments can affect employees’ work schedules and performance. This increased awareness often leads to greater support and flexibility, helping Guard and Reserve members balance their civilian and military responsibilities.
The event featured representatives from the following businesses: North Central International, Fleet Pride, Legacy Plumbing, Moore Engineering, Inc., City of West Fargo, WDAY-TV, Scheels, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, City of Fargo, and United States Postal Service.
Military Father-Daughter Ball Events
The North Dakota National Guard Youth has their annual Military Father-Daughter Ball events scheduled for August and September in Devils Lake (Aug. 23), Bismarck (Sept. 6), and Fargo (Sept. 20).
Veterans Stand Down
The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support assisted in supporting a Central Dakota Veterans Stand Down at the AMVETS building in Bismarck, Aug. 21. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The original Stand Down for Veterans was modeled after a concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. Stand Down’s currently hold agencies, organizations, and educational materials that benefit all Veterans, Service Members, and Families.
USO North Dakota
The USO North Dakota held a Mobile Games and Grilling event at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, North Dakota, Aug. 18. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)