Major General Giselle "Gigi" Wilz, director of staff, National Guard Bureau, renders remarks at the N.D. National Guard's Leadership Summit, Bismarck, N.D., July 22, 2021. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Johlfs, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Army Combat Medic Recertification
The N.D. Army National Guard Medical Detachment hosted Army combat medic recertification training, Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) in Devils Lake, July 16 to 23, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. Public Affairs Office)
The senior 68W Army Combat Medic, Staff Sgt. Kerry Thompson, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, worked with Soldiers from the N.D. Army National Guard's Medical Detachment in conducting the medic recertification training.
Four members of the West Dakota Police SWAT team partnered with the N.D. National Guard Soldiers during the training. On July 21, the Soldiers and the law enforcement officers conducted an active shooter drill combined with a mass casualty evacuation exercise, an important mission for combat medical personnel. Soldiers from the Puerto Rico National Guard at CGTC for annual training volunteered to be role-playing casualties. Many were told to only speak Spanish which challenged the medical Soldiers in evaluating injuries.
Sergeant Autumn Wang, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, clears a latrine during an active shooter exercise at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, July 21, 2021.
Private First Class Theresa Ebertz, 957th Engineer Company, and Spc. Sully Merwin, 817th Engineer Company, render aid to patients during a mass casualty exercise at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, July 21.
N.D. Soldier Competes in National guard Best Warrior competition
North Dakota Army National Guard's Staff Sergeant Brandon T. Wendland, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), is a contestant at the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition (BWC), conducted at Florence Military Reservation and Camp Navajo, Arizona, June 19 to 23, 2021. (National Guard story and photos courtesy of Arizona National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Wendland earned the right to compete at the National Guard BWC when he finished as the top competitor in the noncommissioned officer (NCO) category for the Region VI BWC at Camp Rilea, Oregon, May 4 to 7, 2021. Region VI is comprised of the Army National Guard units from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.
Wendland won the N.D. Army National Guard's BWC in August 2020, held at Camp Grafton Training Center, North Dakota, earning him the right to represent the state in the regional competition against other Soldiers from the eight-state region.
Staff Sergeant Brandon T. Wendland, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), fires the 9mm Sig Sauer M17 pistol during the National Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition, Arizona, June 21, 2021.
Staff Sergeant Brandon Wendland places a Claymore mine into operation, July 20, 2021.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Wendland swims 25 meters with his weapon in a pool at Northern Arizona University during the National Best Warrior Competition, July 22, 2021. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Brenna Wendland, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
Staff Sgt. Brandon Wendland listens to instructions before beginning the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon evaluation for the Best Warrior Competition, July 20, 2021.
SPP - NCO Engagement
Command Sergeant Major Scott Obrigewitch, command sergeant major, 164th Engineer Battalion, led a group of N.D. National Guard non-commissioned officers (NCOs) overseas to participate in an NCO engagement with our State Partnership Program partner nation Ghana, July 19 to 23, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Command Sgt. Maj. Nick Clark, 1th Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
The purpose of this bilateral engagement with our Ghanaian partners is to discuss challenges, ideas and successes with NCO issues to include profession of arms, service member counseling, discipline, fitness and promotions.
Command Sgt. Maj. Nick Clark, third from left, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment command sergeant major, conducts an ice breaker activity with Ghanaian non-commissioned officers, Accra, Ghana, July 20, 2021.(National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brea Binstock, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
Command Sgt. Maj. Nick Clark, center, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment command sergeant major, leads a discussion of the role of a battalion-level command sergeant major with Ghanaian non-commissioned officers, Accra, Ghana, July 20, 2021. (National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brea Binstock, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
This engagement also included coordinating the upcoming visit by senior Ghanaian NCOs to N.D. National Guard's Best Warrior Competition scheduled for August 2021 at the Camp Grafton Training Center, nears Devils Lake, N.D.
Senior Non-commissioned Officer Development
Building up the senior leaders of tomorrow was the goal of the N.D. Air National Guard Senior non-commissioned Officer (NCO) Development Course held at the 119th Wing, Fargo, N.D., July 14 to 16, 2021. (National Guard Story by Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing)
Command Sgt. Major Eric Binstock, senior enlisted leader, N.D. National Guard, delivered the keynote address and encouraged the senior leaders to “maintain this amazing culture of achievement” at the wing. The course was presented by the 119th Wing Chiefs Council, and consisted of master sergeants and senior master sergeants from across the wing. Graduates of the course received a certificate of completion and an increased sense of what it takes to be an effective senior leader in the N.D. Air National Guard's Happy Hooligans.
Chief Master Sgt. Duane Kangas, state command chief for the N.D. Air National Guard, recognizes Senior Master Sgt. Roxanne Anderson for her work at the N.D. Air National Guard Senior non-commissioned officer Development Course, July 16, 2021. (National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson)
Navy Week in North Dakota
Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, received a visit from Vice Admiral Stuart Munsch in Bismarck on July 19, 2021. Munsch currently serves as Director for Operational Plans and Joint Force Development, J7, Joint Staff, for the U.S. Navy and is a native of Oakes, N.D. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. Public Affairs Office)
He came to North Dakota to participate in Navy Week activities in Fargo and conducted several engagements while in the state. The meeting was a chance for him and the adjutant general to discuss a variety of topics relevant to their current assignments.
Friendship Softball Game
Members of the N.D. Army National Guard's 164th Regional Training Institute played a softball game with members of the Puerto Rico National Guard at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), July 20, 2021. The Soldiers were conducting annual training at CGTC. Events like this help to strengthen the bonds between the two organizations.
Military Adventure Camp
The N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program hosted the Military Adventure Camp at Wesley Acres in Dazey, N.D., July 18 to 22, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Mandy Malo, Lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator)
Seventy-two military children participated in this camp which was free to N.D. National Guard Family members, and youth of Families of the Fallen and retirees. The camp is sponsored by the N.D. National Guard Foundation.
The kids participated in guidon history, military chat, flag folding and etiquette, resiliency training, formations, squad challenges, team building, anti-bullying training, how to communicate to one another without a gameset or phone. Additionally the campers learned the importance of service projects and involvement in their communities, zip lining, swimming in the outdoor pool, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing walls, a high ropes course, and much more. These camps are very special and because they are all military youth they are able to make great connections at camp with other military children.
According to Mandy Malo, Mandy Malo, Lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator, "it was great to see all of the kids visiting, laughing, doing something physical outside, challenging themselves and cheering on others."
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