Heck Assumes Duties as State CSM
Sgt. Maj. Derek J. Heck assumed duties as the State Command Sergeant Major for the N.D. Army National Guard from Command Sgt. Maj. David R. Lien in a ceremony Dec. 7 at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory. Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, commander of the Army component of the North Dakota National Guard, presided over the change of responsibility ceremony. Heck will be the principle senior advisor to the Army commander on enlisted affairs for the 3,000 Soldiers of N.D. Army National Guard. He will enforce policies and standards of performance, training, appearance and conduct of enlisted Soldiers. He will advise senior leadership on an array of topics, including recruiting, retention, training, resiliency, family support, community events, education and employment for the state’s Army Guardsmen. Top photo. Heck stands before Soldiers of the N.D. National Guard for the first time as the State Command Sergeant Major.
Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, right, hands Command Sgt. Maj. Derek J. Heck the N.D. Army National Guard's colors during the change of responsibility ceremony for the N.D. Guard's State Command Sergeant Major on Dec. 7.
Hooligan Earns Air National Guard's Top Weapons Safety Honor
Master Sgt. Adam Krueger earned the Air National Guard’s (ANG) Weapons Safety Award which recognizes an individual or team that significantly contributed to weapons safety this past year. Krueger competed against personnel from all 90 Air National Guard Wings to win this prestigious award. Weapons safety personnel are responsible to ensure Air Force units comply with all explosive, missile, nuclear surety, and directed energy safety standards. They also identify hazards, evaluate levels of risk, and develop mitigation procedures.
Guard Spreads Holiday Cheer at the N.D. Veterans Home
About 25 Soldiers and Airmen of the North Dakota National Guard traveled to the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon on Dec. 10 to spread holiday joy through gifts, song and conversation. Each year, the residents of the home provide a wish list of requested gifts which are provide through donations, but the gift most appreciated by the Veterans was the time spent with the Guard members.
Soldier First to Use State Tuition Assistance with Turtle Mountain Community College
N.D. National Guard Soldier Pvt. Dawson C. Lunday is the first Soldier to take advantage of the recent tuition assistance agreement between the N.D. National Guard and Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC). Lunday graduated from Turtle Mountain Community High School in May 2019. "Dawson was always good at taking direction," said Dave DeCoteau, Lunday's baseball coach and a family friend. "The National Guard lit a new fire in him. He's going to be a great student, his work ethic will serve him well." After graduating from advanced individual training, Lunday enrolled at TMCC. He will begin classes in January. Lunday is assigned to the 835th Engineer Detachment as a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist. He is the first N.D. National Guard member to take advantage of tuition reimbursement at a Tribal College. The other tribal colleges participating in this program are United Tribes Technical College and Cankdeska Cikana Community College.
Fallen Soldiers' Christmas Tree
Maj. Ryan Kaufmann, a N.D. National Guard officer and a history teacher at Bismarck Century High School, helped sponsor a military themed tree in the school's Christmas tree decorating contest. Although the tree honors N.D. National Guard Soldiers killed in action since 2000, students were invited to hang dog tags with the names of their family and friends who served in the military on the tree. Click for television news story.
Army Band Provides Holiday Cheer
The 188th Army Band made full use of their recent drill weekend (Dec. 7 and 8) to perform at the Veterans Home in Lisbon, N.D. the West Acres Mall in Fargo, and on the drill floor at the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center.
Brass From the Past Inspires New Hooligans
Former N.D. National Guard assistant adjutant general for Air, retired Brig. Gen. Allen Henderson, addressed a group of 119th Wing Student Flight members during the Dec. 8 unit training assembly at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo. The 119th Wing recruiting and retention office asked Henderson to share stories from his 42 years of military service as a pilot, along with his 29 years of experience as a professor of industrial engineering and management at North Dakota State University. The recruiting and retention office regularly invites guest speakers to share inspiring messages for the new Airmen who have not yet completed Basic Training and Tech School. The Student Flight Program prepares our newest Hooligans to be successful at basic training while also providing them their first military professional development opportunity.
Camp Personnel Step Up to Donate Blood
Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) hosted a blood drive on Dec. 10 to help support local needs. CGTC's participation in this quarterly program demonstrates their commitment to the Devils Lake community. With 11 donations, CGTC exceeded their goal of 10.
Sgt. 1st Class Fieldings Olson, readiness NCO for the 835th Engineer Detachment, pumps the ball to start his blood flowing into the collection bag. Olson was one of 11 Camp Grafton Training Center employees to donate blood on Dec. 10.
Former P.O.W. Shares Story
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Charlie Plumb, and former P.O.W. spoke to a packed room at the Bismarck Municipal Country Club last Wednesday. Area Veterans were invited to hear the motivational speaker sponsored by the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network. Plumb was shot down over Vietnam on his 75th combat mission in 1967 and held prisoner for nearly 6 years. His theme was "Tough Choices in Challenging Times." For more information visit CharliePlumb.com.
Today in National Guard History
Today, Dec. 13, is the National Guard's 383rd Birthday. On this date in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts. Click to read more and view a video celebrating the National Guard's 381st Birthday.
Also on this date in 2015, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann assumed duties as N.D. adjutant general from Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk in a ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck.
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