Soldiers from the 131st Military Police Battalion practiced cover and concealment at Camp Davis, Valley City, North Dakota, on May 4. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of the 131st Military Police Battalion)
Contents
- African Land Forces Summit
- Deputy Mayor Visits Wing
- New Sergeant Major
- Aviation Assumption of Responsibility
- Chief Master Sergeant Retires
- Da Guards Podcast
- Welcome Home Garrett
- OPSEC Level II training
- ND 2000
- 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
- 131st Military Police Battalion
- From the Field Campaign
- Senior Master Sergeant Strand Retires
- Relationships
- Master Sergeant Upgren Retires
- Memorial Day Information
- Volunteer Appreciation Day
- 81st CST Promotions
- Military Spouses Night
- Armed Forces Mass
African Land Forces Summit
African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) is an annual event organized by Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) that brings together approximately 48 African Land Forces commanders with U.S. and Allied counterparts to share best practices, discuss regional security threats and challenges, and facilitate discussions on an annual theme. (U.S. Army National Guard story by Lt. Col. Jarrod Simek, State Partnership Program director)
The theme for this year’s summit was “Optimizing Land Forces for the Emerging Security Environment," and was hosted in Accra, Ghana, which is one of three partner nations to the NDNG State Partnership Program.
The NDNG SPP plays a vital role as a force provider in addressing the regional security threats and challenges in Coastal West Africa.
Deputy Mayor Visits Wing
U.S. Air Force Col. Chris Domitrovich, 119th Wing commander, welcomed the Fargo City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack to the 119th Wing with a tour at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, North Dakota, April 28. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The Commissioner learned more about the Happy Hooligans' missions and even got hands-on time with the MQ-9 simulator.
New Sergeant Major
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Brock Klettke, 817th Engineer Company, Sapper, was promoted to the rank of sergeant major during a ceremony at the North Dakota Army National Guard Armory, Jamestown, North Dakota. (U.S. National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Aviation Assumption of Responsibility
The 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment hosted an assumption of responsibility ceremony at the Army Aviation Readiness Center in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 8. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
An assumption of responsibility ceremony is a formal military tradition that signifies the transfer of authority and responsibility from one leader to another. The ceremony is completed with the passing of the regimental colors.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joshua Yri, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment commander, hands the unit colors to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Brock Klettke.
The custodian of the colors is the command sergeant major and principal advisor to the commander.
Chief Master Sergeant Retires
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dan Mehus, 119th Operations Group, was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, North Dakota, on May 1. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast highlights the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
Staff Sgt. Lexi Aschoff
Aschoff currently serves as an Army National Guard recruiter in North Dakota. Listen in as we discuss how she came to North Dakota and discuss the opportunities the North Dakota Army National Guard has to offer!
Welcome Home Garrett
North Dakota National Guard members welcomed home Command Sgt. Maj. Russ Garrett, 68th Troop Command, at the Bismarck Municipal Airport in Bismarck, North Dakota, May 10. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
OPSEC Level II training
The North Dakota National Guard hosted operations security (OPSEC) Level II training at the Army Aviation Readiness Center in Bismarck, North Dakota, May 6-8. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
North Dakota National Guard members and others from Ohio, Minnesota, California, and Nebraska attended this course.
ND 2000
141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
Soldiers from the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade practiced their individual weapons qualification skills during drill weekend at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, North Dakota, May 3-4. (U.S. Army National Guard photos courtesy of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
131st Military Police Battalion
The 131st Military Police Battalion hosted its annual training at Camp Davis, near Valley City, and Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake. (U.S. Army National Guard photos courtesy of the 131st Military Police Battalion)
Cover and Concealment
Range Fire
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training
Land Navigation
From the Field Campaign
Senior Master Sergeant Strand Retires
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. James Strand was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, North Dakota, on May 1. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
U.S. Air Force Col. Josh Schochenmaier, 119th Operations Support Squadron commander, presented the Meritorious Service Medal to Strand during his retirement ceremony at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo.
Strand distinguished himself in outstanding service throughout his over 25-year Military career.
Relationships
Relationships are continually being tested. With frequent periods of separation, military members and their partners experience relationship stress uncommon to their civilian counterparts. It is important for military couples to identify relationship stressors and develop mitigations to deal with these stressors when they arise. (Information from Johnathan Fankhanel, 119th Wing, Force Support Squadron / Force Support officer)
COMMUNICATION—Couples must make communication a priority. Having an honest dialogue with your partner about your feelings and expectations is key to building connectedness. Being vulnerable and communicating goals, concerns, and fears can lead to a more fulfilling relationship.
FINANCES - Money is a common source of stress in relationships. Setting expectations for spending is a key aspect for couples to develop a solid financial foundation. Developing a budget and communicating financial goals are significant factors in managing household finances and spending priorities.
TRUST—Trust can be shaken in a relationship for several reasons. Couples can develop trust by utilizing a multitude of day-to-day practices. A few ways to build trust are honest communication, mutual respect, consistency, showing appreciation, prioritizing your partner, and learning to set boundaries.
PARENTING - The best time to discuss how you want to raise your children is before you become parents. With blended families or unexpected pregnancies, this is not always an option. Couples must be flexible and resilient, working together as a team. Acknowledge that you may disagree, but how you handle parenting disagreements is important.
RELATIONSHIP RESOURCE - Your relationship deserves an easy and flexible tool built for military life. Military OneSource, in conjunction with Our Relationship, offers a free program that helps you and your partner stay connected.
Follow the link to start building a stronger relationship by using free military online relationship programs today: https://military.ourrelationship.com/#programs
Master Sergeant Upgren Retires
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Daniel Upgren, North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, operations noncommissioned officer in charge, was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 2. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chance Schaffner and Command Sgt. Maj Jeffrey Sayler, North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion command team, awarded Upgren the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck.
Upgren distinguished himself in outstanding service throughout his over 25-year Military career.
Memorial Day Information
Volunteer Appreciation Day
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, North Dakota National Guard deputy adjutant general, attended Volunteer Appreciation Day at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, April 30. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The event thanks all the Veteran volunteers who help maintain the grounds each summer.
81st CST Promotions
The 81st Civil Support Team conducted a promotion ceremony at the Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 9. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Sgt. 1st Class James Porten
Porten was pinned by his family during a ceremony at the Fraine Barracks, Bismarck.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Porten, 81st Civil Support Team, was promoted to the rank of sergeant first class during a ceremony at the Fraine Barracks, Bismarck.
Porten will transition from the admin noncommissioned officer to the logistics noncommissioned officer.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Boyer
Boyer was pinned by his wife during a ceremony at the Fraine Barracks, Bismarck.
U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Boyer, 81st Civil Support Team, was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant during a ceremony at the Fraine Barracks, Bismarck.
Boyer is currently a 74D, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist on the Survey Team, and he will soon assume the responsibilities of team chief.
Military Spouses Night
The State Family Programs and Child & Youth held a Military Spouses Night at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, North Dakota on May 1. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of the State Family Programs and Child & Youth)
Armed Forces Mass
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