GUARDIAN

North Dakota

Volume 9, Issue 5 August/September 2016

Guardsmen Test Skills at Best Warrior Competition

Airmen Return from Deployment

soldier savvy

welcome home

PG. 10

PG. 4
Departments

Guardian Snapshots ..................... 

News Briefs .....................................

Sound Off! ..................................... 

Page 17

Page 18

Page 19

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On the Cover

Inside This Issue

Features

The North Dakota Guardian is an authorized publication for 

members, families and retirees of the N.D. National Guard.

• Contents of the North Dakota Guardian are not necessarily the 

official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the 

Department of the Army or Air Force.

• Editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of 

the Joint Force Headquarters, N.D. National Guard ( JFND) 

Public Affairs Officer.

• Printed by United Printing, a private firm in no way connected to 

the U.S. Government under exclusive written contract with the 

JFND. Reproduction is by the offset method with a circulation 

of approximately 4,900.

• The North Dakota Guardian is published by the JFND Public 

Information Office, Box 5511, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511, 

701.333.2007

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

Contributions to the North Dakota Guardian are encouraged! 

Send articles, photos and art to Editor, JFND PIO, Box 5511, 

Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511. Electronic submissions are 

preferred. Please e-mail stories in Word format to: 

jennifer.m.joyce2.mil@mail.mil

Phone: 701-333-2195 Fax: 701-333-2017

Digital photos should be 300 dpi, if possible.

Commander in Chief

North Dakota Governor

Jack Dalrymple 

The Adjutant General

Maj. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann

Chief of Public Affairs

Capt. Amber Balken

Editor

2nd Lt. Jennifer Joyce

Contributors

Chaplain (Capt.) Scott Noyes

1st Lt. Karen Holliday

2nd Lt. Eric Jungles

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager

Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp

Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen

Staff Sgt. Brett Miller

Sgt. Rachel Grothe

Sgt. Ashley Johlfs

Spc. Thea Jorgensen

Ms. Donnell Hushka

Ms. Mandy Malo

Spc. Andrew Kessel, of the 141st Maneuver 

Enhancement Brigade, traverses a 

confidence course Aug. 18 during the Best 

Warrior Competition held at Camp Grafton, 

near Devils Lake, North Dakota. 

12 Chain of

Command

Gov. Jack Dalrymple appointed Air 

National Guard Brig. Gen. Robert 

Becklund to the position of deputy 

adjutant general of the North Dakota 

National Guard July 25. Becklund 

replaces Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, 

who was appointed by Dalrymple to 

serve as the state’s adjutant general 

last year.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller,

Joint Force Headquarters

6 Sharp

Shooters

Nearly 65 Soldiers and Airmen 

representing North Dakota National 

Guard units from across the state 

tested their abilities during multiple 

pistol, rifle and shotgun shooting 

events July 8-10 at the firing complex 

on Camp Grafton’s southern training 

area.

16 Butter

Bars

The newest leaders in the North 

Dakota Army National Guard were 

welcomed into the organization’s 

officer corps ranks during a formal 

graduation ceremony Aug. 21 at the 

164th Regiment Regional Training 

Institute on Camp Grafton Training 

Center, near Devils Lake. 
Before being

I

Maj. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann

North Dakota Adjutant General

The art of

VIEW FROM THE TOP

In our fast-paced, information-now 

society, it’s easy to get caught up in 

the need-to-know and need-to-share 

mentality. People are quick to make 

assumptions and quick to spread their 

opinions. 

We are programed to want to get our 

point across, make the first comment or 

write a witty post on social media. While 

doing so, we are ignoring the other side of 

the conversation. Most people listen with 

the intent to reply, not to understand. I 

don’t need to look further than the closest 

mirror to validate this point. This column 

serves to remind everyone, including 

myself, of the importance of listening 

and respecting diversity within our 

organization and communities.

We hear what people are saying and 

immediately tie it to an experience we 

have had in our lives. So often we have a 

need to be understood. In all cases, to be 

effective leaders, Guardsmen and citizens, 

we must first understand before we can be 

understood. 

Understanding can be even more 

difficult when you are speaking to 

someone with a different background, 

culture and traditions from your own. In 

such instances, attempting to relate your 

own experiences can result in unintended 

consequences.

To better serve the people of North 

Dakota, we need to do our best to 

understand the context of the differences, 

not just the differences themselves. 

Understanding others begins with being 

aware of your own values and principles, 

strengths and weaknesses. You need to 

define your goals for yourself and for the 

organization and understand where those 

goals come from. What experiences have 

you had that shape the way you think or 

operate? 

Those same principals can be used 

when interacting with your Soldiers and 

Airmen, as well as with people in our 

communities. Work to understand their 

strengths, goals, weaknesses and the 

experiences and cultural background that 

drives each of those. Remind yourself that 

culture is a response to the environment, 

politics, and resources – not something 

that appears out of thin air. 

Only when progress is made to 

understand one another can effective 

communication begin. When we really 

understand each other, we allow for 

outside-the-box thinking and alternative 

solutions. Our differences are no longer 

road blocks for progress, but allow 

us to cooperate and move forward 

collaboratively.

UNDERSTANDING

UNDERSTOOD

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 3
Eleven North Dakota Air National Guard members, assigned 

to the Fargo-based 119th Wing Aircraft Maintenance 

Squadron, returned home July 30 after a four-month 

deployment to a naval air station in Italy.

“We are so proud of the outstanding work these Airmen 

completed while deployed and so grateful they are returning safely 

home to North Dakota and to their families and friends,” said Gov. 

Jack Dalrymple. “The mission they performed was vital not only for 

the maintenance of aircraft and the safety of pilots and their crews, 

but for the security of our state, our nation and our world.”

All eleven of the aircraft maintainers returned home on a late-July 

flight that landed at Hector International Airport in Fargo.

“We’re excited to welcome back this group of Airmen,” said Lt. 

Col. Nathan Erstad, commander of the 119th Aircraft Maintenance 

Squadron. “Their experience and achievements on this deployment 

demonstrate proficiency in a highly technical and important role. 

Maintainers ensure that aircraft is ready and available to fly safely 

and successfully, and they’re a great asset to the 119th Wing in 

Fargo and our nation, more generally.”

The U.S. Air Force employs significant numbers of aircraft to 

complete vital missions around the globe. It’s the responsibility of 

aircraft maintenance specialists to ensure that every component 

of high performance aircraft is maintained to the most exacting 

standards. Maintenance experts ensure that the aircraft in their care 

are ready to fly at a moment’s notice so that pilots and their crews 

can safely and effectively complete their mission.

“This is a great time for Airmen to reunite and spend time with 

their families and friends,” Erstad said. “As usual, we’re prepared to 

assist this group of Airmen as they transition back to life at home. 

We’re grateful for the sacrifice that they and their families have 

made this year, and we’re committed to giving back and supporting 

them as much as possible.”

A number of resources are available to service members returning 

home from deployments. There are resources offered from the N.D. 

National Guard, the community, the U.S. Department of Veteran’s 

Affairs, education & finance offices, legal assistance and more. 

The National Guard works diligently during the redeployment of 

Guardsmen to provide any necessary readjustment support. 

HAPPY

HOOLIGANS

back on north dakota soil

By 2nd Lt. Eric Jungels, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

Photos by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

Master Sgt. Scott Gordon, of the 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, in tan shorts, walks 

through a greeting party of Patriot Guard members upon his return to Hector International Airport, 

Fargo, N.D., after a four-month deployment to Europe July 30, 2016. (Below) Senior Airman Colter 

Pratt, left, is greeted by his mother Melissa Mohr.

4 · Guardian · august/september 2016
in

England provides training opportunity for Happy Hooligans

Story by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

Quality of Life

Thirty-five Happy Hooligans departed 

the North Dakota Air National Guard 

Base in Fargo, July 29 through August 11, 

2016, on a deployment for training (DFT) 

to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England.

The group was made up of 20 Airmen 

from the 119th Services Flight and 13 fire 

fighters from the 119th Civil Engineer 

Squadron, with one officer from the 

119th Force Support Squadron and a first 

sergeant.

The services flight personnel worked in 

food service, the fitness center and lodging, 

performing tasks that are not possible 

at home station in Fargo since different 

equipment and facilities are found at the 

deployed locations than there are at the 

Fargo Air National Guard Base.

“The trip to England was the best 

experience I have had in my career 

since I became an Airman,” Airman 1st 

Class Marcus Mensahn said. “I learned 

many functions when it comes to meal 

preparation, working as team, serving 

meals and preparing midnight meals. One 

of my most remarkable duties on my shift 

was being on the grill preparing omelets 

and scrambled eggs. I was able to see other 

functional areas, especially food services 

and fitness.”

There are no lodging facilities at the 

Air National Guard Base in Fargo, so the 

services flight personnel assigned to that 

area were able to get training in England 

that could not be done at home.

“You can read all of the AFIs you want 

about how you should be doing that part 

of your job but until you’re thrown into 

an environment where you can get handson training, you don’t have the same 

confidence. The training we received really 

was top notch and every single person in 

the lodging office had a part in continuing 

our training, from civilian to active-duty,” 

said Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Jasmann.

The fire fighters did their training at 

Royal Air Force Lakenheath, and were also 

able to train in areas that are unavailable 

at home station. In particular, they were 

able to utilize fighter aircraft, which are no 

longer flown by the unit in Fargo.

Five services flight members, Senior 

Airman Jamila Branch, Airman 1st Class 

Marcus Mensahn, Staff Sgt. Chelsea 

Vanraden, Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Jasmann 

and Staff Sgt. Michelle Mahrer, were 

recognized for outstanding performance in 

their duties on the DFT.

Several of the deploying services flight 

personnel are new to the functional area, 

and it was the first DFT for at least 10 of 

them.

“The experience our people get from a 

deployment like this really helps prepare 

them for any deployments they might 

encounter in the future,” said Senior 

Master Sgt. David Mehus, the 119th 

Services Flight superintendent.

In addition to great training, the DFT 

offered a chance for most Airmen to see 

some sites during their off duty hours, 

with base tours to English castles being a 

popular destination.

“Trips like this DFT are a great 

way for our Airmen to gain invaluable 

skills and experience, while giving them 

opportunities see the world, benefiting 

both readiness and morale levels,” said 

Capt. Shaun Carlson, the 119th Force 

Support Squadron operations officer.

“You can read all of the AFIs you want, but until you’re thrown into an 

environment where you can get hands-on training, you don’t have the 

same confidence.” — Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Jasmann

(Clock-wise, from upper right) Senior Airman William Archinal serves a meal 

at Royal Air Force Mildenhall; Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Jasmann, right, and Staff 

Sgt. Michelle Mahrer work at the check-in counter of base lodging; and 

Airman 1st Class Kathleen Mohr, right, hands a plate of food to an Airman in 

the food service line as Airman 1st Class Rachel McGrady looks on.

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 5
By Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen,

Joint Force Headquarters

Guardsmen 

of

the

Highest Caliber

North Dakota Marksmen Compete in state shooting match, 

Messer joins All-Guard Team for ‘Fortuna trophy’ win

On the heels of winning a national 

championship in North Little 

Rock, Arkansas, this spring, 

North Dakota’s marksmen began a new cycle of yearly shooting competitions with the start of the 2016 Adjutant 

General’s Combat Marksmanship Match. 

Nearly 65 Soldiers and Airmen representing 

North Dakota National Guard units from 

across the state tested their abilities during 

multiple pistol, rifle and shotgun shooting 

events July 8-10 at the firing complex on 

Camp Grafton’s southern training area.

“This annual marksmanship competition 

always is one of my favorite events to attend,” said Maj. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann, North 

Dakota adjutant general, who recognized the shooters’ performances during the competition’s awards ceremony. “It’s exciting to see how much you all, as marksmen and members 

of the North Dakota National Guard, share a common passion. The shooting expertise you 

develop here is an invaluable skill you can pass onto fellow unit members — Soldiers and 

Airmen alike — to strengthen individual readiness across our organization.”

When the winners were announced during the final day of competition, four shooters 

from the Jamestown-based 817th Engineer Company (Sapper) again came out on top as 

the best overall team with the highest aggregate score from multiple shooting matches. The 

team members are Sgt. Evan Messer, of Mandan, North Dakota; Sgt. Jordan Gehlhar, of 

Lauderdale, Minnesota; Sgt. Andrew Maley, of Enderlin, North Dakota; and Spc. Drew 

Topp, of Jamestown. This is the 32nd year in a row the Jamestown unit has secured first place 

at the state match.

They were followed by a team from the Fargo-based 119th Wing from the N.D. Air National Guard. The second place winners were Tech. Sgt. Josh VonBank, Senior Master Sgt. 

Brian Rook, Airman 1st Class Gavin Rook and Staff Sgt. Matthew Jasper.

Maj. Michael Champagne, the state’s marksmanship coordinator, said the group of North 

North Dakota marksmen 

take aim July 9 during the 

Combat Pistol Barricade 

Match at Camp Grafton’s 

southern training area. 

The competition was one 

of several shooting events 

comprising the 2016 

Adjutant General’s Combat 

Marksmanship Match.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, Joint Force Headquarters

6 · Guardian · august/september 2016
Dakota marksmen were able to form 15 teams this year for competition, a significant uptick in participation from previous matches.

“This is the most teams we’ve had compete here in a while. Seeing that many new people interested in the program is really good, 

so that they can get that training and bring it back to their units, 

and show people that there’s not only just a typical marksmanship 

qualification to participate in every year. There are different types of 

shooting events available to make everyone better at what they do,” 

he said.

In individual competition, Messer was named the best overall 

marksman, or “top gun.” He was followed by Spc. Bryce Solie, of 

Fertile, Minnesota, also a member of the 817th Engineer Company, 

in second, and Staff Sgt. Jason Dittus, of Bismarck, a member of 

the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), based in Williston, North 

Dakota, who came in third.

A veteran marksman, Messer recently returned in late June from 

the British Army Reserve Operational Shooting Competition, an 

international shooting match at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in Woking, England. While there, he competed as a member 

of the All-Guard Marksmanship Team, which is comprised of the 

top marksman across the country. The team shot a number of rifle 

and pistol matches against 200 shooters from various nationalities 

to earn the coveted Fortuna Trophy, based on its aggregate scores. 

The National Guard team won the honor for the first time in 15 

years after not competing at the match since 2006.

Messer said he gained insight into the competition by visiting 

over the phone with his mentor and a member of the N.D. National 

Guard’s Marksmanship Hall 

of Fame retired Sgt. First 

Class Gary Varberg, who 

won the Fortuna Trophy 

with All-Guard teams three 

times during his shooting 

career. 

A “double distinguished” 

competitor, Messer also holds 

Distinguished Marksmanship Badges for both rifle and 

pistol, which is a significant 

accomplishment for military 

shooters. The achievement is 

earned by accruing compounded “leg points” during state, regional 

and national marksmanship competitions. A marksman acquires 

“leg points” by finishing in the top 10 percent of shooters in rifle 

and pistol “Excellence-in-Competition” matches. Fewer than 5 percent of all shooters ever reach “Double Distinguished” status. At the 

Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match, Messer was able 

to share his experiences and gained skill with other North Dakota 

marksmen to enhance their performances.

“Everyone was receptive to the information I was putting out. 

They weren’t afraid to ask questions and I gave them every bit of 

useful knowledge that I could. They were really appreciative,” he 

said.

According to competition planners, “the Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match is held to 

promote battle-focused marksmanship training and to enhance overall 

marksmanship proficiency. The event 

also is designed to test and improve 

the capabilities of the state’s National 

Guard forces in a tactically-oriented 

environment.”

“This is a stepping stone for determining who our better shooters are, so 

we can put forward teams to compete in the regional tournament 

and Winston P. Wilson (WPW) where we go up against all the 

other states,” Champagne said. “We have a program here in North 

Dakota that is top-notch and everyone wants to be part of an elite 

team. When our guys took the WPW this year, a lot of other people 

wanted to throw their hats in the ring to be a part of it.”

Winners from the state competition now will advanced to the 

regional competition Aug. 18-21 at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, 

where the “A” Team took 1st place. Messer also was the “top gun” 

in individual competition. Later, the North Dakota Soldiers and 

Airmen will compete at the national level next spring at the 46th

Annual Winston P. Wilson Championship.

Soldiers and Airmen who are interested in participating in the N.D. 

National Guard’s Marksmanship Program can call Champagne at 

701-333-3103 or Mr. Stephen Herda at 701-333-2070. Units also can 

arrange for match training, in which Marksmanship Program administrators can give attendees an introduction to marksmanship competition 

standard operating procedures and match rules and fundamentals.

" We have a program here in 

North Dakota that is top-notch 

and everyone wants to be part 

of an elite team.” 

Above, Spc. Tyrel Hoppe, of the 817th Engineer Company, tallies his score following a pistol match July 9 at 

Camp Grafton’s southern training area. Hoppe’s parents had an opportunity to watch their son compete 

while watching the event from the sidelines over the weekend. Below, The All-Guard Marksmanship 

Team won the Fortuna Trophy June 27, 2016, at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in Woking, England. 

The team is comprised of the best combat shooters in the National Guard, including Sgt. Evan Messer, of 

the 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), back row, fourth from right. The team came to the British Army 

Reserve Operational Shooting Competition with one main goal — win the Fortuna Trophy, which they 

accomplished, becoming the first National Guard team to acquire the honor in 15 years.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, Joint Force Headquarters

Photo courtesy of National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 7
When one imagines spending time in Hawaii, they might 

imagine an unhurried pace. The clocks on wall seem stuck on 

island time, and things tend to occur as they occur. But an 

intentionally high-tempo and remarkable production occured on 

the island for two weeks this summer.

Airmen from the North Dakota National Guard’s Fargobased 119th Medical Group, worked diligently alongside service 

members from the Army, Navy and Marines to provide health 

care services to thousands of people in Kauai, Hawaii, from June 

1-11, 2016.

The Airmen were participating in Innovative Readiness 

Training (IRT) Tropic Care 2016, a real-world rapid deployment 

training event sponsored by the Department of Defense. The 

initiative is a multi-service operation that provides medical 

support to a variety of underserved American populations 

located in remote or rural areas throughout the U.S. and its 

territories. 

The IRT program was developed as a way to serve 

communities in need, while also providing realistic military 

training. 

In the short time that the Airmen were on the ground, they 

provided 9,632 services to 2,305 people for a total medical care 

value (or savings) of $750,833.

“IRT Tropic Care is an amazing operation, in that we can 

drop 300 people into a location, give them one day to set up 

clinics in four locations on an island, build a functioning practice 

for 10 days, and then retrograde in one day, as if they were 

never here,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael C. Cabassa, 14th Dental 

Company, 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group.

More than 300 military reservists were involved in IRT Tropic 

Care from start to finish. Site locations included three static sites 

at Kauai Community College, Kapaa Middle School and Elelele 

Elementary School, and one mobile site was designed to target 

more remote locations on the island of Kauai.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to work together with our sister 

services, and get together to work as a team to deliver care to an 

underserved population who otherwise wouldn’t have access to 

this care,” Cabassa said.

Hawaii Gov. David Y. Ige highlighted the importance of the 

service members’ work in Kauai.

CARE Tropics

By 2nd Lt. Eric Jungels, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs,

and 1st Lt. Karen Holliday, Marine Corps Forces Reserves

Lt. Col. Dwight G. Harley, physician assistant, 119th North Dakota Air National Guard, Fargo, N.D., 

examines incoming Kamehameha Schools senior, Makana Alexander’s ears for an extracurricular 

activities physical during Tropic Care 2016, Kea’au, Hawaii, June 7, 2016.

119th Medical Group Airmen Provide

Health Care Services to Thousands in Hawaii

8 · Guardian · august/september 2016
“We work really hard to ensure that all of our citizens have 

access to health care, but the harsh reality is that no matter 

how hard we work, there are many in our community that are 

unable to get medical care, even the basic kinds of things, like 

screenings and check-ups,” Ige said.

Physical exams, dentistry, optometry exams and glasses 

fabrication, medication review, provision of medication, 

nutrition education and basic behavioral health counseling 

were offered to the public, free-of-charge on a first-come, 

first-served basis. The Department of Defense worked closely 

with the County of Hawaii and the Ka’u Rural Health 

District Health Office to ensure mission success.

“If IRT Tropic Care were to go away, we would be back to 

where we were, and no matter how hard we tried, we would 

not be able to bring the access to those who truly need it,” Ige 

said. “It is a win-win for us to have the service members here 

in our community.”

Due to Medicare cuts, dental care was one of the services 

most utilized during Tropic Care 2016.

“As a dentist, I’m providing care to the people of Kauai, 

educating them not just dentally but medically, helping them 

with whatever they need, including basic health care needs,” 

said Lt. Cmdr. Pooja V. Shah, 4th Dental Company, 4th 

Marine Logistics Group. “It is very humbling.”

(Above) Maj. Olivia M. Egan, a nurse with the 256th Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps, 

discusses inprocessing paperwork with Noah during Tropic Care 2016, June, 4, 2016, Ka’u, Hawaii. 

(Below) Senior Airman Shelby Modern, a healthcare specialist with the 119th Medical Group, 

N.D. Air National Guard, assists Ka’u resident, Noah, while taking his eye exam during Tropic Care 

2016, June 4, 2016, Ka’u, Hawaii. Noah aced the test, 20/20 vision. Tropic Care 2016 is a U.S. Army 

Reserve and state of Hawaii Department of Health-led, joint services, innovative readiness training 

program, conducted off military installations in the civilian community, and assists local civilian 

efforts by providing quality healthcare to the underserved rural communities of Kea’au and Puna 

districts of the island of Hawaii.

Photos by Sgt. Rachel Grothe, 305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 9
Hailing from North Dakota Army National Guard units across the 

state, 26 Soldiers slogged through a four-day gauntlet of obstacles and 

challenges to test their mettle and military acumen at Camp Grafton 

Training Center, near Devils Lake, North Dakota. When this year’s 

Best Warrior Competition came to a close Aug. 21, only two of those 

Guardsmen would be recognized as the top contenders, advancing to 

represent North Dakota in a future regional competition.

Sgt. Dustin Devillers, of Fargo, North Dakota, a member of the 

Fargo-based 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, was the winner 

of the state-level Best Warrior Competition in the noncommissioned 

officer category. In the enlisted-level competition, Spc. Calvin Miller, 

of Carpio, North Dakota, a member of the Williston-based 818th 

Engineer Company (Sapper), took top honors.

“This competition brings great value to our organization. It builds 

confidence in Soldiers and helps us build leaders for the future of the 

North Dakota National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Fode, North 

Dakota National Guard Army Component commander. “Each of 

these competitors are outstanding Soldiers, and they are tremendous 

assets to their units. By participating in this weekend’s events, they’ll 

be better able to mentor their peers and enhance their unit’s training 

and readiness.”

Soldiers representing their units must first win in their respective 

major commands in order to vie for the “Best Warrior” title during 

the state-level competition. The victors had to demonstrate mastery of 

multiple Soldiers skills — tasks designed to challenge both physically 

and mentally — to surpass their competitors’ scores. According to 

Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Heim, North Dakota National Guard state 

command sergeant major, the Best Warrior Competition events this 

year were designed to surpass the intensity incorporated into prior 

competitions.

“The competition has been grueling. The sergeants major and state 

command sergeant major did an awesome job setting it up,” said 

Devillers, who competed at the state-level Best Warrior Competition 

two years ago. “I know they were planning on stepping it up this year 

and they definitely did. But it’s been a great time and the competitors 

here have all bonded, so it’s been a really good experience.

When the Soldiers arrived Aug. 18 at Camp Grafton, they 

immediately were ushered into a classroom where they were 

administered a written exam to test their knowledge about basic 

military tasks and current events. They then traded their thinking 

caps for running shoes to push their endurance during an Army 

Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The following days of competition 

presented the Soldiers with more events, including land navigation, 

marksmanship and answering a series of military-related questions 

posed by a board of sergeants major.

The Soldiers also had a chance to traverse a newly-constructed 

confidence course on Camp Grafton, which resembles the structures 

most see as new recruits at training posts during Basic Combat 

Training. Eighteen separate obstacles comprise the confidence course, 

which the Soldiers began after descending from the training post’s 

rappel tower. Upon touching ground, the competitors set forth over 

their obstacles, including a rope climb, crawling underneath barbedwire and hurtling themselves over elevated logs. 

During the final event of the Best Warrior Competition, the 

BEST WARRIOR competition yields state’s top soldiers

Spc. Andrew Kessel, of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, rolls over logs to complete the “Belly Buster” obstacle in the confidence course Aug. 19 during the Best Warrior Competition held at the 

Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, Joint Force Headquartersand

10 · Guardian · august/september 2016
Soldiers endured a 6-mile road march, 

wearing 35-40 pounds of gear inside their 

ruck sacks. Miller said the grueling event 

required the Soldiers to conjure up the very 

last of their energy and resolve.

“The competition is a lot more difficult 

this year; you have to be well rounded. Last 

year, if you had a solid APFT and a solid 

board, you were probably in the top five. 

This year, you have to be good at everything,” 

Miller said upon finishing the road march 

event. 

To train, Miller, who spends about 

five days each week in the gym, said he 

started running a lot more, improving his 

cardiovascular fitness. The physical training 

was accompanied by diligently studying 

training manuals and military principles. 

He even gathered co-workers during the 

week to give him an audience as he recited 

long-established Army oaths, like “The 

Soldier’s Creed,” to accustom himself to 

public speaking. He also faced the challenge 

of immersing himself in studies while caring 

for a newborn.

“That was the hardest thing about 

preparing for the competition. I’ve got a 

three-week-old child at home and a threeyear-old, who’s about to be four. So, after 

this, my whole life’s going to change,” he 

said. “This competition gets people excited 

to learn new things and start training harder. 

When we go back to our units, they’re going 

to be excited to find out how we did.”

The winners now will prepare for the 

regional competition held in Washington 

in June 2017. The Soldiers will compete 

against Guard Soldiers from seven other 

states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, 

South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming. 

Regional winners advance to compete in the 

All-Guard Competition and, if they win 

there, they have the opportunity to compete 

in the All-Army Competition.

“The two winners of this year’s 

competition are more than ready to represent 

the state of North Dakota at the regional 

competition and beyond. I feel, without a 

doubt, they will score very high and represent 

the state very well,” Heim said.

Should the winners not be able to 

compete, they will be replaced by the 

runners-up from the state competition. This 

year, Sgt. Cody Dravland, of Fargo, with the 

Minot-based 769th Engineer Detachment 

(Survey and Design), was the runner-up in 

the noncommissioned officer category. Spc. 

Zachary Miller, of Fargo, with the Fargobased 191st Military Police Company, took 

the runner-up position at the enlisted level.

Sgt. Andrew Tanata, of the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), disassembles and reassembles an M9 pistol Aug. 19 as a part of the 

mystery event of the Best Warrior Competition held at the Camp Grafton Training Center. 

Sgt. Dustin Devillers, center, of the 141st Maenuver Enhancement 

Brigade, poses with State Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Heim, left, 

and Army Component Commander Brig. Gen. Robert Fode, right, 

Aug. 20 after being named 2016 state-level Best Warriorin the 

noncomissioned officer category.

Spc. Calvin Miller, center, of the 818th Engineer Company 

(Sapper), poses with State Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Heim, left, 

and Army Component Commander Brig. Gen. Robert Fode, right, 

Aug. 20 after being named 2016 state-level Best Warrior in the 

enlisted-level competition. 

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 11
Gov. Jack Dalrymple appointed Air 

National Guard Brig. Gen. Robert 

Becklund to the position of deputy adjutant 

general of the North Dakota National 

Guard July 25. Becklund replaces Maj. 

Gen. Alan Dohrmann, who was appointed 

by Dalrymple to serve as the state’s 

adjutant general last year.

“Brig. Gen. Becklund’s impressive 

resume of leadership, vision and strategic 

planning, as well as his breadth of 

experience, will serve him well as he 

assumes this important role for the Guard 

and for our state,” said Dalrymple. “He 

will be a valuable asset to the Guard’s 

leadership team, and along with Maj. Gen. 

Dohrmann, will continue to uphold the 

North Dakota National Guard’s reputation 

as the nation’s finest and most successful.”

Becklund currently serves as executive 

director of the North Dakota Northern 

Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 

Test Site and has been instrumental in 

positioning North Dakota as a leader in 

UAS technology and innovation and a 

hub for unmanned aircraft business and 

development. Additionally, he serves as 

chief of staff for the N.D. Air National 

Guard and is responsible for Air Guard 

personnel assigned to the Joint Force 

Headquarters. 

Prior to that assignment, he served on 

the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Remotely 

Piloted Aircraft Task Force at the Pentagon 

in Washington, D.C. Becklund also served 

as the 119th Wing Commander in Fargo 

and led the successful and unprecedented 

conversion of the unit from its F-16 

fighter aircraft mission into three entirely 

new areas: the MQ-1 Predator Remotely 

Piloted Aircraft, C-21 Operational Support 

Airlift and a Security Forces Squadron at 

the Minot Air Force Base.

“I have worked with Bob for years and 

am honored to have him join our leadership 

team,” said Dohrmann. “He has done great 

Governor Appoints Becklund Deputy Adjutant General

CHAIN OF COMMAND

Contributed photo

Story by Maj. Amber Balken, North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Officer

12 · Guardian · august/september 2016
things as a leader within the 119th Wing, 

as well as the Northern Plains UAS Test 

Site. His experience at the national level 

and extensive background in both the 

Air National Guard and UAS industry 

make him an incredible asset to the North 

Dakota National Guard, and we look 

forward to having him serve at a higher 

level.” 

Becklund enlisted in the NDANG 

in 1982 as an F-4 Flight Simulator 

technician, and following graduation 

from North Dakota State University, 

was selected for commissioning and 

pilot training. Following his training, 

he served in the Air Guard full time for 

28 years holding such titles as chief of 

safety, mission support group commander 

and wing commander of the 119th 

Wing Command. Becklund achieved 

distinguished graduate honors from the 

USAF Basic Military Training program, 

the Air National Guard officer training 

academy and the USAF Undergraduate 

Pilot Training program, finishing first in 

his class. He flew in two USAF William 

Tell weapons competitions, earning first 

place honors in 1994.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be 

selected for the position of deputy adjutant 

general,” said Becklund. “I appreciate the 

trust the governor has placed in me and 

look forward to working with Maj. Gen. 

Dohrmann and all the Soldiers, Airmen 

and civilian staff of the North Dakota 

National Guard to ensure we are always 

ready to support the needs of the governor 

or the president when called upon by 

either.”

As deputy adjutant general, Becklund 

will be second-in-command of the 

more than 4,100 N.D. Air and Army 

National Guard men and women, with 

approximately 1,100 full-time federal and 

state employees. 

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 13
The 119th Security Forces Squadron had 44 members 

travel in an eight-vehicle convoy to Camp Ripley, 

Minnesota, Aug. 10-15 for annual training.

The security forces personnel spent time on a leadership 

reaction course and confidence course, firing range for heavy 

weapons qualification, and the military operations on urban 

terrain (MOUT) village, conducting force-on-force exercises.

Firing and qualifying with the heavy weapons on a range 

is an annual security forces requirement, and is necessary for 

maintaining deployment preparedness.

The MOUT village at Camp Ripley provides unique video 

surveillance capabilities in a multi-building facility, which is a 

realistic mock city simulating an urban village or township. 

The mock city includes a simulated bar, church and police 

station, which sit among the mostly concrete block buildings.

The security forces personnel are broken into tactical 

Story and Photos by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

119 Security Forces Squadron trains at Camp Ripley in Minnesota

URBAN 

TERRAIN

I

Commanding

14 · Guardian · august/september 2016
groups and assigned as defenders and 

aggressors to train for scenarios like active 

shooter, high risk room and building 

clearing, and potential deployed location 

actions. 

They wear personal protective 

equipment that includes helmets 

with clear visors, while firing M4/M9 

simunition rounds at each other that are 

similar to paintball.

The force-on-force scenarios in the 

MOUT village and team building 

exercises at the leadership reaction 

course provide valuable training, and are 

also good bonding and team-building 

experiences for the security members. 

By deploying to a location where the 

members train and live together outside 

their comfort zone of home station in 

N.D., these bonds can be strengthened 

more effectively.

“It was great training, but was also a 

lot of fun for the members during the 

force-on-force exercises. The facilities here 

allow us to accomplish a more in-depth 

and realistic training environment than 

we can get at home station,” said 2nd Lt. 

Jason Augdahl, the 119th Security Forces 

Squadron commander.

(Opposite page) Airman 1st Class Gabriel Ahnee, of the 119th Security Forces Squadron, takes 

aim with a training pistol during a force-on-force training scenario at the Camp Ripley military 

operations on urban terrain (MOUT) village Aug. 13, 2016. The Camp Ripley MOUT village provides 

a realistic environment for the security forces personnel to practice tactics they would use in 

deployed locations. Ahnee is firing an M-9 training pistol loaded with simunition rounds that are 

similar to paintball rounds, so they can identify adversaries that have been hit.

Senior Airman Lukas Brendemuhl leads fellow 119th Security Forces Squadron Airman 1st Class Pamela 

Fehr down a flight of stairs as they pursue a simulated adversary during a force-on-force training scenario 

at the Camp Ripley MOUT village Aug. 13, 2016. (Opposite page, left) 119th Security Forces Squadron 

members Senior Airman Brandon Leier, above, and Airman 1st Class Michael Strom take aim during a 

training scenario. (Opposite page, right) Airman 1st Class Gabriel Ahnee, of the 119th Security Forces 

Squadron, takes aim with a training pistol during training at the Camp Ripley Aug. 13, 2016.

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 15
The newest leaders in the North Dakota 

Army National Guard were welcomed into 

the organization’s officer corps ranks during 

a formal graduation ceremony Aug. 21 at 

the 164th Regiment Regional Training 

Institute on Camp Grafton Training Center, 

near Devils Lake. Sixteen Soldiers of the 

59th Officer Candidate School (OCS) class 

were presented diplomas for completing the 

intensive officer training program. Fourteen 

graduates immediately accepted their 

commissions as second lieutenants in the 

Army National Guard.

“To our guests here today — families, 

friends and employers — thank you for 

supporting your Soldiers. For these new 

officers, today is not the end, but only the 

beginning of their military careers,” said 

Brig. Gen. Robert Fode, N.D. National 

Guard Army Component commander, as 

he addressed attendees at the graduation 

ceremony. “I ask our graduates here to 

consider committing themselves to longlasting careers in the North Dakota Army 

National Guard. You all now are in a 

position to serve for as long as 40 years, 

like I have, and one day even reaching the 

rank of brigadier general in the greatest 

organization in the U.S. Army.”

Fode later presented the graduates with 

their diplomas and administered the oath 

of office to the newest second lieutenants. 

Lt. Col. Bradley Brown, commander of the 

164th Regional Training Institute’s 2nd 

Modular Training Battalion, presided over 

the “Pinning Ceremony,” where the new 

officers donned their gold-colored second 

lieutenant bars. The graduating officers 

were joined by family members and friends 

during the ceremony.

Soldiers who graduated from the 59th 

OCS class had various options for pursuing 

their commissions. Some attended a threephased, 8-week accelerated, or “Fast Track,” 

course at Camp Rapid, South Dakota, and 

Fort McClellan, Alabama. Soldiers also 

could participate in a traditional course, 

which is spread out over 16-19 months 

during Guard training weekends with 

two additional 2-week training periods. 

Other sources of officer commissioning 

are available through the North Dakota’s 

Reserve Officer Training Corps program 

with locations at the University of North 

Dakota, North Dakota State University, 

Minnesota State University Moorhead and 

Concordia College — Moorhead.

The 2nd Training Battalion (Modular), 

of the 164th Regiment Regional Training 

Institute, 59th OCS graduating class 

includes:

 Brett K. Barber, of Fargo

* Lorence C. Cossette, of West Fargo

* Chad L. Czeczok, of Mandan

* Luke D. Daley, of Fargo

* Karl A. Erickson, of Fargo

* Daniel J. Geiger, of Bismarck

* Thomas C. Hansen, of Bismarck

* Brent A. Havelka, of Manvel

* Benjamin J. Jechorek, of Inver Grove 

 Heights, Minnesota

* Jennifer M. Joyce, of Mandan

* Nicholas P. Kindelspire, of Fargo

* Grant T. Lonski, of Bismarck

 Taylor K. Markel, of Moorhead,

 Minnesota

* Bradley D. McGinnis, of Minot

* Steven J. Schaffner, of Bismarck

* Christopher H. Spangler, of Bismarck

(*) indicates acceptance of commission

THE NEXT GENERATION 

North Dakota’s Newest Leaders Recognized during Officer Candidate School Graduation Ceremony

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, Joint Force Headquartersand

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, Joint Force Headquarters

Graduates of North Dakota’s Officer Candidate School Class 59 are administered the oath of office Aug. 21, 2016 by Brig. Gen. Robert Fode, N.D. National Guard Army Component commander, during a 

ceremony at the 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute on Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, North Dakota.

16 · Guardian · august/september 2016
Submit your photos to be considered

for inclusion in the N.D. Guardian!

Email high-resolution photos

to 2nd Lt. Jennifer Joyce, N.D. Guardian

editor, at jennifer.m.joyce2.mil@mail.mil.

Share your photos! 

GUARDIAN Snapshots

Visit www.flickr.com/photos/ndguard/.

See More, and Download Photos!

Photo by Sgt. Ashley Johlfs, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment

Life’s a Dance

The N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program hosted two father/daughter military balls Aug. 14 in Fargo and Sep. 17 in 

Bismarck. The events were free and open to service members of all military branches. More than 170 people attended both events. 

Photo by Ms. Mandy Malo, Child and Youth Program Coordinator

Photo by Sgt. Ashley Johlfs, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment

Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager, Joint Force Headquarters

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 17
NewsBriefs

Fargo-Based Military Police Unit 

Receives Mobilization Alert

By Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, Joint Force Headquarters

Find More Guard News Online! www.ndguard.com

A North Dakota Army National Guard 

unit has received an alert notification for 

possible mobilization. About 30 members 

of the Fargo-based 191st Military Police 

Company were placed in an alert status. 

The decision to mobilize this unit has not 

yet occurred, but upon a final decision, an 

official U.S. Army mobilization order will 

be published. The unit has detachments in 

Mayville and Bismarck.

If mobilized, the unit will provide 

military police operations support to U.S. 

and coalition forces, in Afghanistan early 

in 2018.

“I have complete confidence in the 

ability and professional competence 

of the leaders and Soldiers in our 

military police unit to accomplish their 

assigned missions,” said Maj. Gen. Alan 

S. Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant 

general. “I remain appreciative of the 

tremendous support demonstrated by our 

Guard families, employers and friends 

during all of our domestic and overseas 

missions.”

The Soldiers were notified of their 

alert status by their leadership. The 191st 

Military Police Company specializes 

in law enforcement activities, mobility 

support operations, area security, detention 

operations, and criminal investigations 

in support of joint contingency efforts 

worldwide. They also execute domestic 

operations with emphasis on police and 

detention operations in support of state 

and civil authorities. About 30 Soldiers of 

the unit served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 

from 2012-2013, and about 180 Soldiers 

served in Baghdad as part of Operation 

Iraqi Freedom in 2008-2009.

The 191st Military Police Company is 

led by Capt. Jacob Danduran, of Fargo, and 

1st Sgt. Jennifer Gowan, of Grand Forks, 

North Dakota. Soldiers in the unit hail 

from nearly 70 communities across North 

Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.

The 136th Combat Sustainment 

Support Battalion (CSSB), based in Devils 

Lake, North Dakota, is the only other 

N.D. Army National Guard unit that’s also 

in an alert status. 

Soldiers of the 191st Military Police Company operate a traffic information point south of Mandan, North Dakota, after being called upon Sep. 8 to support law enforcement and augment public safety 

efforts, in light of recent activity with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest. 

Photo by Ms. Donnell Hushka

18 · Guardian · august/september 2016
To extended family members: I’m 

aware that you are affected by a number 

of challenges, because you serve faithfully 

right alongside your military member. 

First, I want to thank all of you for your 

service and sacrifice! I know it’s not easy. 

Being a part of a military family certainly 

tests our resiliency. That said, with all the 

transition that is going on and with all 

the challenges you face, I want to remind 

you of a promise for people of faith. That 

is: God is faithful and He has a plan for 

your life — and your family. You may not 

always see it, but God has called you for a 

purpose and He will be with you to fulfill 

that purpose. 

If there is one thing I have learned 

over the years, it’s that as I put my faith 

in God and His plans for my life, He 

is faithful and He will see me through 

whatever challenge my family and I face. 

It’s not always easy, but with Him I have 

everything I need. 

“... faith is difficult to own until you 

know the One who is faithful.” 

(1 Thessalonians 5:24) 

A note from the author: If you want to 

talk more about anything in this article or 

if you simply want to talk, stop by and see 

me sometime. If I’m not in my office, it 

most likely means I’m out looking for you. 

Chaplain Noyes can be reached by phone 

at 701-665-7895 or 701-381-2168.

Chaplains’ Corner:

By Chaplain (Capt.) Scott Noyes, 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

The month of July marks one year 

since I accepted the duties of Camp 

Grafton Training Center (CGTC) 

chaplain. In one short year, I’ve 

discovered how CGTC is more than 

just an impressive place; it is full of 

impressive and inspirational people. 

It’s been an extraordinary place 

to “live the call...serving God and 

Country.”

Prior to relocating my family 

to this region, we were Minnesota 

residents for 17 years. I’m sure many 

of you can imagine the transition 

we experienced — new ministry 

post (job), home, community, 

church family, school/teachers/friends 

for children, and hunting and fishing 

regulations. Essentially, our family closed 

the door of familiarity and faithfully 

entered the unfamiliar. We have endured a 

year of challenges for sure. Also, to add to 

all our adjustments, there is a potential for 

deployment on the horizon.

Many might say, “Suck it up and drive 

on, chaplain!” Which, to a point, I would 

agree, since it is the military, and to date, 

I’ve moved nearly 40 times in my life. 

However, I’m not completely certain 

how to successfully teach the military 

“HOOAH” mentality to my family 

members. 

Testing Our Resiliency

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 19

SoundOff!
Spc. Lexi Nistler, of the 164th Engineer Battalion, attempts the land navigation portion of the Best Warrior Competition August 20 at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, N.D.

Photo by Spc. Thea Jorgensen, 116th Public Affairs Detachment