News

by Sgt. Michaela Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment

N.D. National Guard (NDNG) Soldiers and Airmen worked with emergency services agencies to execute Vigilant Guard August 4-6, 2020. Vigilant Guard is a multi-agency exercise that took place across the state to refine each organizations understanding of operating procedures, evaluate their response capabilities, and improve inter-organization communication. This reflects the state’s response to real world events.

by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment

Summer 2019, Sgt. Grant Schafer, 816th Military Police Company, won the N.D. Best Warrior Competition (BWC) in the Soldier category, later earning the right to represent Region VI at the Army National Guard 2020 BWC at Camp Shelby Joint Force Training Center and Camp McCain Training Center in Miss. Note: Schafer began the competition before being promoted to sergeant, and therefore competed in the Soldier category.

By Mrs. Pamela Helbing-Schafer, Director North Dakota Veterans Cemetery

The N.D. Veteran's Cemetery was established by an act of the 1989 N.D. Legislative Assembly. The cemetery was opened in 1992, and is operated by the office of the adjutant general of North Dakota. It is located 6.5 miles south of Mandan on Highway 1806 on a 70 acre tract of land near Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. This cemetery is dedicated to the men and women who have served this state and nation with distinction and honor. Today interments of military members and their dependents number 9,522. Of these 69% are male and 31% are female. Solders lead interments with 3,942 (62%) followed by Sailors 1,315 (21%), Airmen 732 (12%), Marines 349 (5%), and members of the Coast Guard 24 (less than 1%). According to the director, Pam Helbling-Schafer, the cemetery has enough space available for the next 23 years.

By Mr. Robert E. Roehrich, NDNG Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager

Greetings to those who wear the uniform, past and present, and to those who serve and have served in a civilian capacity for our organization, all family members, and all the extended family and friends of the N.D. National Guard. So far, 2020 has been a roller coaster ride that will be branded into our memories as a defining period of time. Soon we will ask each other questions like where you were “when the Twin Towers fell on 911”, or “the assassination of President Kennedy?” from COVID-19, completely revolutionizing how we do business in the NDNG. From civil unrest and racial tensions within our country, we have been challenged to re-evaluate the way we operate our day-to-day business. We also took a deep look at our internal messaging and inclusion strategies. Though we’d like to think that we are flawless in many areas, it is simply impossible to be perfect all the time. However, we are always looking for opportunities to improve our organization for those we serve.

by Sgt. Jacques Junior Chapusette, 3662 Support Maintenance Company

The 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC), nicknamed the "Deuce" is a one of a kind specialized maintenance unit assigned to the N.D. Army National Guard. The Deuce is comprised of a diverse mix of many different MOS’s. Sections include auto mechanic, armament and electronics, ground support equipment tech and a maintenance control team, all with unique and specialized capabilities.

by Spc. Thea Jorgensen, 116th Public Affairs Detachment

When you enlist in the N.D. Army National Guard (NDARNG), Soldiers choose a military occupation specialty (MOS). These jobs can range from cyber security to military police. But in the NDARNG, there is a small unit whose mission is to tell the Guard story. The 116th Public Affairs Detachment (PAD) is an eight-Soldier unit made up of broadcast and print journalist specialists. I am fortunate to be one of those eight.

Navigating Our Way To A Ready & Resilient Force

By Mrs. Amy Ruff, NDARNG Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention (R3SP).

Welcome to the first Risk Reduction Navigator (R2N) commentary! These editorials will focus on the NDNG’s most valuable asset, our people. The R2N will contain various educational topics and prevention strategies to assist our Service Members, military families and civilian community members to navigate their way to empowerment, improved lives and success in achieving holistic health.

By Chaplain (Maj.) Tim Stout - 131st Military Police Battalion

The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

By Mrs. Michelle A. Gauvin-Panos, ND Cares Executive Director

Military retirees and active service members have increased access to behavioral health services for themselves and their Families. As of February 2020, the N.D. Department of Human Services’ regional human service centers are now in-state TRICARE providers. This eliminates the need for individuals to get prior authorization before receiving vital behavioral health services at the centers or one of their four satellite clinics or 33 outreach sites in the state. Why is this important? According to North Dakota military data from 2014 through 2018, on average, 669 veterans or individuals who served in the military were treated at the human service centers. Of those, 60% received behavioral health services and either needed prior authorizations, used other insurance or paid out-of-pocket for services.

by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment

The North Dakota National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team (CST) is a homeland defense unit comprised of 22 Soldiers and Airmen specializing in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) analysis for responding to incidents across the state, region, and nation. The mission of the 81st CST is to identify CBRN incidents, counter weapons of mass destruction, assist during natural disasters, and to protect the people of N.D. and the nation. Federal, state, local, and civil agencies can turn to the unit for support in any of the areas they specialize in. They undergo hundreds of hours of training every year to prepare themselves to respond to emergencies.