From right, Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, hands the colors representing the N.D. National Guard's Land Component Command to Col. Jon Erickson, incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony, Camp Grafton Training Center, Nov. 20, 2021. Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, left, state command sergeant major for the N.D. Army National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, outgoing commander, stand by. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
New LCC Commander
The N.D. National Guard’s Land Component Command (LCC) conducted a change of command ceremony at the Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, Nov. 20, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard, presided over the ceremony which saw Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan relinquish command to Col. Jon Erickson. As LCC commander, Ryan led over 3,000 N.D. Guard Soldiers since Sept. 2018.
“I am extremely appreciative of the level of service and dedication to duty exhibited by Brig. Gen. Ryan during his 36 years to the N.D. National Guard,” said Dohrmann. “His commitment to taking care of Soldiers, and ensuring they were properly trained and ready to respond when called, ensured our mission success. We wish him well in his well-deserved retirement.”
Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, awards the North Dakota Distinguished Service Medal to Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan in recognition of his successful three-year tenure as commander of the N.D. National Guard's Land Component Command, Camp Grafton Training Center, Nov. 20, 2021.
Former N.D. National Guard Commanders of the Land Component Command
VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Visits N.D. Veterans Cemetery
Senator John Hoeven hosted a meeting with U.S. Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matthew Quinn, Rep. Kelly Armstrong, N.D. Rep. Mike Nathe, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, and other N.D. Guard leaders at the N.D. Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan, N.D., Nov. 23, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The purpose of the visit was to introduce Quinn to the cemetery operated by the N.D. adjutant general. The visit included discussions on eligibility requirements for burial in state Veterans’ cemeteries, as well as the pending Veteran’s Administration columbarium grant to help ensure that the N.D. Veterans Cemetery will continue to effectively serve Veterans and their families.
Hoeven and Quinn also visited the national Veterans Cemetery in Fargo earlier in the day.
Company Commander / First Sergeant Course
Major General Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, senior enlisted leader for the N.D. National Guard, were featured speakers at the Company Commander/First Sergeant Course, Camp Grafton Training Center, Nov. 20, 2021. (National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
The course was conducted from Nov. 18 to 21, and its purpose is to prepare individuals to effectively lead companies and detachments. Since commanders and first sergeants serve as a unit's command team, it's natural to have officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) attend the course together. The training covered a variety of topics that command teams will most likely encounter during their assignment. Guest briefers are subject matter experts and serve as a good points of contact when questions arise.
Major General Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, addresses the attendees of the N.D. National Guard's Company Commander/First Sergeant Course, Camp Grafton Training Center, Nov. 20, 2021.
Topics included recruiting and retention, unit manning, sexual assault/harassment prevention, equal opportunity, awards policy, enlisted promotion system, substance abuse program, suicide prevention and resiliency, and more. Eleven NCOs and 10 officers participated.
Civil Support Team Conducts Joint Exercise
Army Guard Signaleers' Holiday
The 426th Signal Company hosted their annual holiday party, Nov. 20, 2021, at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, Fargo, N.D. Members of the unit celebrated the upcoming holidays with an ugly sweater contest, food, and cookie decorating for their families. (National Guard story by Cadet Morgan Hovde and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Thankful for Another Successful Drill
Soldiers of the Headquarters and Support Company (HSC), 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) participated in their inactive duty training (IDT) Nov. 19 to 21, 2021, at the National Guard Readiness Center, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story by Cadet Morgan Hovde and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Maj. Kallie Swenson set the tone for the weekend with a briefing on leadership, using "A Message to Garcia", an essay that states the value of individual initiative and conscientiousness in work. This was followed by a discussion on the lessons learned about work ethic and leadership to motivate Soldiers to put these lessons into action over the IDT.
The cover of "A Message to Garcia," by Elbert Hubbard.
Members of the unit completed BINAX Covid-19 testing before any initial training was conducted. The weekend was primarily dedicated to planning, as several Soldiers worked on preparing the training plan for the fiscal year 2023, and editing the Operation Order (OPORD) for the brigade-all annual training in June at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.
Throughout the weekend, each member of the unit completed their Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) inventory, and 18 Soldiers completed Phase 1 of initial Driver’s Training. Other activities included the Noncommissioned Officer Development Program (NCODP), cadet expectations brief, Command Post of the Future (CPOF) maintenance, weapons maintenance, a religious service, and a meeting of the holiday party planning committee.
Captain Preston Steele inventories his field equipment as he prepares for his Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) inventory, Nov. 20, 2021. An OCIE is an annual requirement to ensure Soldiers have all of their assigned equipment.
Major Lucas Klettke, executive officer for the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), briefs the brigade’s leadership teams during a tactical-operations brief, Nov. 20, 2021. The brief is in preparation for the annual training scheduled June 2022.
Cyber's Space
Since their return from a mobilization, Detachment 1, 174th Cyber Protection Team (174th CPT) has conducted their inactive duty training (IDT) weekends in borrowed office spaces. The team never had an assigned storage space to secure their equipment. That changed when they were assigned permanent spaces at the Raymond J. Bohn (RJB) armory, Nov. 20, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Specialist Kristin L. Berg, 68th Troop Command)
“We’ve inhabited whatever area they’ve allowed us to set up at,” Staff Sgt. Phillip Budd, 174th Cyber Protection Team said. “Initially we used a conference room at the armory, but that was in demand by other people. Ever since we came back from our mobilization we’ve been here or there.”
For nearly two years, packing and unpacking became a way of life for the unit. They had to bring everything with them to the RJB armory and then back to their homes. The 174th CPT’s mission is to provide hunt, clear, and defend support to the United States critical infrastructure key cyber terrain. Without a secure location, it was more challenging to focus on this mission. Since this was their first weekend in their new space, they had little furniture and amenities, but the unit has plans to improve the space and turn it into a home for the unit.
“The space will be a place to work together in an area for collaboration and to transfer knowledge so we can do our job,” Staff Sgt. Andrew Stein, 174th CPT said. "We are grateful 68th Troop Command did all the behind-the-scenes to make it happen.”
In February 2022, the 174th CPT will be going to Alaska to participate in Artic Eagle-Patriot. This two-week exercise features a scenario where the 174th CPT will function as adversaries to test the cyber-awareness of troops who are engaging in a field exercise and in which they are expected to maintain operational security while conducting their mission.
ADA Honor Graduate
Congratulations to Pvt. Skylor Otto for being recognized as Honor Graduate during his Advanced Individual Training at the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Otto is assigned to N.D. Army National Guard's Battery A, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Grant Semenko, N.D. National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion)
Private Skylor Otto, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, left, is congratulated by Maj. Jared Sherven, N.D Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Nov. 22, 2021.
MEB Soldiers Promoted
Jordan Evanoff and Samantha Ranisate, both of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), were promoted to the ranks of corporal and specialist, respectively, during the MEB's drill weekend, Nov. 21, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Happy Thanksgiving from the Adjutant General and the N.D. National Guard
Soldiers, Airmen, Civilian Employees, Families, Retirees & Veterans,
As we approach the annual holiday season, be sure to take some quality time to spend with your family and friends, on your hobbies, and for yourself. Throughout this year, we have actively supported our state and carried out the mission of our organization to the full extent of our abilities. I encourage you to reach out to those who may be struggling or alone during this holiday season. We must always think of those who may need comfort.
On behalf of Becky and myself, thank you for all that you do and have a happy Thanksgiving!
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