U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, renders his final salute to newest trained service member Spc. Gavin Ruud, 188th Engineer Company, Vertical; during a retirement ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, Sept.15. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Samuel Konah, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Contents
- North Dakota National Guard Welcomes New Adjutant General
- Wildland Fire Training
- Da Guards Podcast
- National Guard Association Awards
- Joint Force Headquarters Change of Command
- Hooligan Summerfest
- From the Field Campaign
- Professional Development
- 9/11 Remembrance Walk
- Chief Master Sgt. Duysen Retires
- Father - Daughter Dance
- Brats With the Brave
- Recognition
- Suicide Prevention Walk
North Dakota National Guard Welcomes New Adjutant General
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson has officially assumed command as adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard in a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, Sept.15. (National Guard story by Nathan Rivard, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Gov. Doug Burgum, who serves as the commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard, presided over the change of command ceremony.
Dohrmann has served as the adjutant general since 2015, overseeing numerous deployments and several domestic operations. These include the Guard's support to North Dakota during the COVID-19 response between 2020-2022, the Medora wildfires and Roosevelt Creek Fires in 2021, the Bourbanis Dam Stabilization in 2022, and the Missouri River Ice Jam in 2024.
Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful for his service and for the incredible leadership of Maj. Gen. Dohrmann, who has dedicated his career to protecting our state and nation, defending our freedom and ensuring our National Guard members are welltrained and well-prepared to succeed in their missions. We thank Maj. Gen. Dohrmann for his more than four decades of exceptional service and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
As adjutant general, Johnson will also serve as the director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, which is comprised of the Division of Homeland Security and the Division of State Radio Communications.
Brig. Gen. Johnson’s outstanding track record of service and leadership in the Air Force and National Guard will serve him well as our state’s next adjutant general, ensuring that our North Dakota National Guard and Department of Emergency Services continue to perform at high levels for our citizens,” Burgum said.
Johnson began his military career in 1997 when he commissioned through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at Michigan Tech in Houghton, Michigan. His first duty assignment was at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. During his 12 years of active service, Johnson served in multiple flying assignments with Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Air Force Special Operations Command.
Upon leaving active duty, Johnson entered the North Dakota National Guard, where he became a pilot for MQ-1 Predator, C-21, and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft. He held multiple staff positions and commanded at the squadron, group, and wing-level. He also served as the chief of staff, Air, with the North Dakota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, and completed six overseas deployments during his career.
Following the change of command ceremony, Dohrmann was honored at a retirement ceremony for his more than four decades of military service. He began his military career in 1983, serving seven years with the active-duty Army on assignments in Germany and Japan. He joined the North Dakota National Guard in 1991 and held various roles before being named deputy adjutant general in 2007.
In 2009, Dohrmann deployed as part of Kosovo Forces 12, serving as the commanding general of Multinational Task Force — East. He commanded more than 2,000 military members from the United States and seven other countries during his deployment. Upon his return in 2010, he resumed his duties as deputy adjutant general, serving as second in command of the North Dakota National Guard.
Wildland Fire Training
The North Dakota Forest Service and the N.D. Department of Emergency Services partnered with the N.D. National Guard in conducting wildland firefighter certification, Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 5 to 8. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
North Dakota Forest Service teach Guard members how to operate a pump truck and mobile water pump in Bismarck, Sept 8.
The purpose of this training is to teach Guard members fire response tactics in the event the National Guard is asked to assist first responders on the ground fighting wildland fires.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast focuses on highlighting the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
You will meet Sgt. 1st Class William Miller. Miller was the last original member of the North Dakota National Guard's Civil Support Team. Enjoy listening as we discuss his career and congratulate his retirement!
New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.
National Guard Association Awards
The National Guard Association (NGAUS) held its 146th General Conference & Exhibition in Detroit, Aug. 23-26. Members of the N.D. Guard were there and received many awards.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, receives the Distinguished Service Medal at NGAUS 2024 in Detroit, Aug. 26.
Joint Force Headquarters Change of Command
U.S. Army Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, Joint Force Headquarters Chief of Staff, presided over a change of command ceremony for Joint Force Headquarters at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. Sept. 14. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Maj. Michael Champagne, Joint Force Headquarters commander, relinquished his command by handing the units guidon to Maj. John Kelly.
U.S. Army Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, Joint Force Headquarters Chief of Staff, presents Maj. Michael Champagne, Joint Force Headquarters Commander, with The Army Commendation Medal at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. Sept. 14.
Champagne will move on the become the Chief of Staff for the Camp Grafton Training Center.
Hooligan Summerfest
The Happy Hooligans welcomed their families to share an afternoon of fun at Hooligan Summerfest in Fargo, Sept 6. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The families enjoyed bouncy houses, dunk tanks, military displays and the NDSU Bison Strides program brought out miniature horses. It was a great chance to thank guard families for the support that makes members service possible.
From the Field Campaign
Wildland Fire Training
The North Dakota Forest Service and the N.D. Department of Emergency Services partnered with the N.D. National Guard in conducting wildland firefighter certification, Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 5 to 8. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jacques Chapusette, N.D. National Guard Training Center)
Fire Shelter Training
Professional Development
Kodi Pinks, Master of Public Health Director of Surveillance & Data Management, Health Statistics and Performance, North Dakota Health & Human Services, and Ms. Melissa Markegard Suicide Prevention, Administer North Dakota Health and Human Services conducted this month's professional development, Sept 11 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
In addition to an in-person audience, his briefing was livestreamed state-wide to all N.D. National Guard full time members. They spoke about suicide prevention and programs for Service Members, families and staff within the communities in which they live.
9/11 Remembrance Walk
Members of the N.D. National Guard and others attended the 9/11 Remembrance Walk observing the 23st Anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the nation held at the Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism outside of Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 11. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This year's event was hosted by Team Red, White and Blue (RWB) with support from the N.D. National Guard. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general of the N.D. National Guard; Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general; U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, 119th Wing and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, state command sergeant major, joined members of Team RWB and Gold Star Families for the walk.
Chief Master Sgt. Duysen Retires
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Olheiser, 119th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, presided over a retirement ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. Richard Duysen at the Fargo Air National Guard Base, N.D. Sept. 7. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Father - Daughter Dance
The N.D National Guard Child and Youth Program held its 8th Annual Military Father Daughter Ball at The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck on Sept. 7. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
A positive father/daughter relationship can have a huge impact on a young girl's life. Since military commitments and other activities can sometimes limit a father's time with their daughters, the purpose of this event is to allow daughters to have their father figure's undivided attention for an entire evening of crafts, games and dancing. This event was attended by 26 father figures and 29 military daughters.
Past and present members of the 81st Civil Support Team reunite at the 8th Annual Military Father Daughter Ball at The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck on Sept. 7.
Brats With the Brave
The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC hosted N.D. Guard Soldiers, other military members, health care workers and first responders at Brats with the Brave lunch in Bismarck on Sept. 4. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Recognition
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, recognized Amy Ruff, N.D. National Guard Resilience Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Coordinator, and David Kenney, N.D. National Guard Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist, after a recent professional development class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. Sept. 11. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, hands a plaque to recognized Amy Ruff, N.D. National Guard Resilience Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Coordinator, after a recent professional development class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. Sept. 11.
Amy was awarded the plaque for her five years of federal service.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, hands a plaque to recognized David Kenney, N.D. National Guard Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist, after a recent professional development class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. Sept. 11.
David was awarded the plaque for his five years of federal service.
Suicide Prevention Walk
The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support and Suicide Prevention Program assisted in supporting the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevetion Walk in Bismarck, Sept. 8. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
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