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LegisLative Dining-Outannual event celebrates 30 years

Magazine of the South Dakota arMy anD air national guarD • SPring 2014

aiRMen Of the yeaR annOunceD

2 DAKOTA PACK MAGAZINE

Contents

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 1 • SPrING 2014 1

Maj. Gen. Timothy A. reischThe Adjutant General

Maj. Anthony DeissState Public Affairs Officer

1st Lt. Chad CarlsonEditor

CONTrIbUTOrS

Master Sgt. Nancy AuslandSgt. 1st Class Theanne TangenSgt. 1st Class Don Matthews

Staff Sgt. Mike beckStaff Sgt. Christina SihrerStaff Sgt. Heather Trobee

Staff Sgt. Corey baltosTech. Sgt. Christopher Stewart

Sgt. Tabitha CarrAirman 1st Class betty Chevalier

Dan Popowski

DAKOTA PACK Magazine of the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard

visit us On the web: sdguard.ngb.army.mil facebOOk: www.facebook.com/southdakotanationalguard fLickR: www.flickr.com/photos/southdakotanationalguard twitteR: twitter.com/sD_guard

Dakota Pack is a commercial enterprise publication, produced in partnership quarterly by the South Dakota National Guard and Simpsons Printing. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the Departments of the Army and Air Force or the State of South Dakota. All photos are South Dakota National Guard photos unless otherwise credited.

Distribution: Dakota Pack is published for all South Dakota National Guard service members and their families. It is distributed through Simpsons Printing under exclusive written contract with a circulation of 4,300. It is also available at our website: sdguard.ngb.army.mil.

how to reach us: Questions or comments for Dakota Pack should be directed to the SDNG Public Affairs Office: 2823 West Main Street, rapid City, SD 57702, 605.737.6721, fax: 605.737.6290, [email protected].

submissions: Print and photo submissions of general interest to members of the SDNG, their families, civilian employees, veterans and retirees are invited and encouraged. Please send article and photos with name, phone number, e-mail, complete mailing address and comments to: [email protected], 605.737.6721. Submissions are subject to editing. Electronic submissions are preferred and digital photos should be at least 300 dpi.

Contact us for advertisingp. 605.342.0979 f. 605.342.2053email: [email protected]

featuRes18 SDNG hosts 30th annual Legislative Dining-Out

20 Air Guard announces Airmen of the Year

24 Soldiers make history as

firstfemaleartillerycrewmembers

DePaRtMents 2 aLPha cORneR

5 guaRD news bRiefs

the guaRD stORy

7 Pentagon honors 235th Family Rediness Group

8 1742nd Soldiers honored at deployment ceremony

10 152nd Soldiers return from Afghanistan

11 Military police return to South Dakota

12 Guard general retires after 35 years of service

13 Air National Guard trains at Davis-Monthan AFB

14 147thArmyBandrockswesternSDschools

16 NG Responders Train at Mt Rushmore

21 Employment Assistance Training — Hero2Hired

22 SDleadersvisitSurinametobolsterpartnership

23 SD Guard, suriname military conductwomen’sworkshop

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AlphA Corner


the aDjutant geneRaLMessage fROM

AsItypethewordsforthis“SpringEdition” of the Dakota Pack, it still looksverymuchlikewinteroutsidewithanewblanketofsnowontheground.Theuseoftheterm“banana

belt”todescribewinterintheBlackHillshasnotbeenapplicablethisyear.Fortunately,weareaccustomedtowinter’selementshereandotherthanourstateactivationsfollowingWinterStormAtlaslastOctober,wehavenothadtorespondtowinteremergencies.IrecentlyreturnedfromaweekinWashington,

D.C.whereall54adjutantsgeneralmettodiscussthecurrent issues facing the National Guard. The topic thatdominatedboththeAdjutantsGeneralAssoci-ation of the United States meetings and the Guard SeniorLeaderConferencewastheFY2015-2019FutureYearsDefensePlan.Morespecifically,thereisgreat concern over the plan to cut the force structure of the Army National Guard in the years ahead. The budgetedend-strengthfortheArmyGuardinthecurrentfiscalyearis354,200.Underpreviousagree-ments,thatnumberwouldbereducedto350,200inFY2015,returningustothemanninglevelswewereaton9/11.OnFeb.24,DefenseSecretaryChuckHa-gelannouncedthattheArmyNationalGuardwouldbefurtherreducedto335,000.Additionally,ournumberswouldbecutto315,000inFY2019unlessCongress provided relief from the sequester cuts in the years ahead.

The acting director of the ARNG provided a detailedbriefingoftheimpactthatareductionto335,000wouldhaveontheindividualstates,anditwouldbesignificant.Areductionto315,000wouldresultinhundredsofarmoriesbeingclosedacrosstheU.S.Hopefully,aremedywillbedevelopedtosparethe ARNG from these proposed cuts.Onabrighternote,newlyconfirmedSecretaryof

theAirForceDeborahLeeJamesattendedasocialreceptionwiththeadjutantsgeneralandreturnedthenext day to address our group. She shared some of the detailsabouttheFY2015budget,whichweregeneral-lyfavorabletowardtheAirNationalGuard.HerplanwouldcuttheactivedutyAirForceby16,700,theAirForceReserveby3,300whiletheAirGuardwouldonlylose400positions.SecretaryJamesisaformerAssistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and shespokeveryfavorablyofplacingincreasedrelianceontheGuardandReserve.WeareveryoptimisticaboutthefuturewithSecretaryJamesandGeneralWelshatthehelmoftheAirForce.Wecelebratedthesafereturnofthe235thMP

Companyandthe152ndCombatSustainmentSupportBattalioninDecembergivingmanyfamilies

anotherreasontocelebrateduringtheholidays.OnFeb.13,webidfarewelltothe1742ndTransporta-tion Company as they departed Fort Hood en route toAfghanistan.Pleasejoinmeinkeepingtheminyour daily prayers.OnJan.11,ahugegroupofco-workers,friends

andfamilygatheredtohonorBrig.Gen.TedJohn-sonasheretiredfollowing35yearsofexemplaryservice to state and nation. He took over as chief of staff almost nine years previously, serving in that capacityforthreedifferentadjutantsgeneral.Hishigh standards, superior intellect, professionalism anddedicationtodutyhavedirectlycontributedtotheSouthDakotaNationalGuardbeingheldinsuchhighesteemnationwideformanyyears.IwanttopersonallythankbothTedandLuAnneforcontinuallygoingaboveandbeyondthecallofdutyandwishthemthebestinretirement.OnFeb.6,weconductedthe30thNationalGuard

Legislative Dining Out to thank our state legislators fortheirsupportandtohonorafewspecialindi-vidualsfortheirextraordinarycontributionstoourgreat organization. Gov.DennisDaugaardreceivedtheWilliamson

MilitiamanAwardinrecognitionofhisremark-ableleadershipandoverwhelmingsupportoftheNational Guard. During his eight years as lieutenant governor and three years as governor, he has attend-edcountlessactivationandwelcomehomeceremo-nies.HetraveledtoKuwaitandAfghanistantovisitour deployed troops and he has provided enhanced funding for the maintenance and modernization ofourfacilities.NorthWesternEnergyreceivedthestate’s2013ProPatriaAwardfromtheEmployerSupportoftheGuardandReserve.LuAnneJohnsonwastherecipientoftheAdjutantGeneral’sFamilyAwardinrecognitionofthespecialsupportshepro-videdasthewifeandmotherofSDGuardmembersandasacaringvolunteerwhodedicatedhundredsof hours to help others.Iconsideritadistincthonortoworkwithso

manygreatindividualsandgroupswhosupportourgreatorganization.Wehavebeentrulyblessedwiththeoverwhelmingsupportofcommunity,stateandnation.TherearefewtimesinthehistoryofthisgreatnationwhentherelianceontheNationalGuardhasbeengreaterthanitistoday.Fortunately,wehaveneverbeenbettermanned,bettertrainedorbetterequippedthanwearerightnow.Thankyouforcon-tinuingtoserveinuniformduringtimeofwar.

Sincerely,

TheAdjutantGeneral

AlphA Corner


While you’re fighting for our freedom, don’t forget your own.

Tobacco. There’s no freedom in it.

Doctors say tobacco users are 2 times more likely to quit if they use a quit coach.

wing cOMManDeRMessage fROM

CongratulationstotheWing’sOutstanding Airmen of the Year recipients. Those nominated from your squadron or group should feel extremely proudasyourepresentmorethan900

enlistedmenandwomen.Toourawardrecipients,I’mproudtohaveeachofyourepresentingthe114thFighterWingduringthenationalAirNationalGuardcompetition;youtrulyarethebestofthebest!TheunitrecentlyconductedaSnowbird

deployment to Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Ariz. MyhatsofftoMaintenanceGroupwhoproducedanoutstanding120sortiesflownwith120sortiesscheduledinthistwoweekdeployment.The86percentmissioncapablerateandonlyfournon-chargeablegroundabortsisatestamenttoallthehardworkthatyou’veaccomplishedonthisnewfleetofBlock 40 aircraft. The aircraft provided Operations Groupwithanamazingopportunity;droppingnearly70 live munitions and 15,000 rounds of 20 mm. I’dliketothankyoufortheeffortyouhavealready

putintothenewAirForceInspectionSystem.Thisnewinspectionsystemisatransformationalshiftinourthinkingaboutuniteffectivenessandthereliance of external inspections as the primary indicator of

unit health. This typically led to large amounts of resourcesforinspectionpreparationandcontributedlittletomissionreadiness.ThenewinspectionsystemiscenteredontheCommander’sInspectionProgram.Itisdesignedtoenablecommanderswithasupportingsystemtofindandfixproblems.Itrewardsaccurate,honestreportingandlongtermcommitmenttoprocessimprovement.WehaveresourcedourWingInspectionGeneralofficeandarewellonourwaytobefullyoperational.WewillhaveourUnitEffectivenessInspection“Capstone”eventinJune.Thisisnota“graduationevent,”itismerelyavalidationandverificationsnapshotofouroverallcontinuous improvement plan, unit effectiveness andtheprogram.Weneedtocontinueourfocusonmissionreadinessandbeingthemostprofessional,highlytrained,readyandrelevantAirmenyoucanbe.AsIwritethisarticle,weonceagainhaveallofour

Airmenhomefromdeployment.Iknowitwon’tlastlongaswewillhavegreatpatriotsdeployingagainsoon.Pleasespendtimeandthankthosewhosupportyou in your service to this great unit, state and nation. Thanksforallyoudoeveryday! Col.RussA.Walz

114thFighterWingCommander

AlphA Corner


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As a small token of

our appreciation for your service Family

Thrift Center and Prairie Market is proud to offer you a

discount at our stores.The discount is good every day to both active duty and retired

military personnel, of any military branch. Just present yourMilitary ID at checkout. Some exclusions apply. See store for details.

5%5%Military DiscountMilitary Discount

Huntingthegoodstuff!Formanyofyou,thatstatementwasadailycommentmadefortwoweeksduringyourresiliencytraining.It’sastatementthatshouldbemade

byuswithourco-workersandfamilieseveryday.Whenisthelasttimeyouaskedafamilymemberorco-workerforagoodstuffstory?It’saneasygatewaytouseinordertoknowhowsomeoneisdoing.Ichallenge you to ask one person a day to come up withagoodstuffstorythathashappenedtotheminthelast24hours.Iftheycan’t,pleasetakethetimetohelpthemfindthegoodstuff.Youneverknowhowmuchdifferenceyoumakeinsomeone’slife.Overthelastyear,Ihavelistenedtoideasonhow

to improve life for the enlisted Soldiers. Some areas wehavechangedandsomeareaswilltaketimetochange.However,oneofthethingsthatwillhelpusgrowstrongerasafightingforceistofollowtheAr-my’s2014trainingguidance:Wewilltrainandfocuson“America’sArmy–OurProfession” TheProgramconcentrateson:(1)Standardsand Discipline;(2)ArmyCustoms,Courtesiesand Traditions;(3)MilitaryExpertise;and(4)Trust (http://cape.army.mil/).Acustomisapracticesolongestablishedthat

ithastheforceorvalidityoflaw.CourtesyamongArmy professionals is vital to maintain discipline. Something as simple as a salute is a courtesy that whencontinuallyrenderedpromotesdiscipline.

Message fROM the state cOMManD sgt. Maj.

Sincerely,

CommandSgt.MajorShoe

Tradition is a customary pattern of thought, action orbehaviorheldbyanidentifiablegroupofpeople.ThisallequalsEspritdeCorps,thewinningspiritwithintheArmyprofession,embeddedintheculture,sustainedbytraditionsandcustoms,whichfosterscohesiveandconfidentunitswiththecour-agetopersevere.ItisoneoftheArmyProfession’sEssentialCharacteristics(ADRP1).WeareallbestowedaspecialhonorasaSoldier

intheNationalGuard.WearetheCitizenSoldier.WeareinthepubliceyeandthepublicexpectsustofollowandmaintainourArmytraditionsandto have military expertise. As a Soldier and citizen, thepublicneedstoseethatwearetrustworthyoftheresponsibilitieswehavebeengiven.Onewaytodemonstratewhowearetothepublicistogetinvolvedwithcommunityactivities.Becomeapar-ticipant, volunteer, serve, community organizations alwaysneedhelp.Bridgethatgapbetweenmilitaryandcivilianentitiesandshownotonlyyourneigh-borswhoyouare,butprovetoyourselfjustwhatyou are made of.

I implore all of you to stay vigilant, strive to create relationships that strengthen your teams, andremembertotreateachdayasajobinterview.Wehavethetoolstobesuccessful–usethemwellstayArmyStrongandneverforgettohunt“THEGOOD STUFF.”

Thank you for all your comments, suggestions, and optimism.

GuArd news briefs


geRLach PROMOteD tO cOLOneLARMOUR–AndrewGerlach,anativeofAr-mour,waspromotedtocolonelattheSouthDakotaArmyNationalGuard’sLeader’sConference,Feb.7inPierre.Gerlach,whocurrentlyresidesinPierre,willnowserveastheJ2IntelligenceBranchchiefinJointForceHeadquarters in Rapid City. In his civilian ca-reer,Gerlachworksfull-timeastheSecretaryof the South Dakota Department of Revenue.

by staff sgt. christina sihrer153rd engineer battalion

HURON–CommandSgt.Maj.ToddMet-tler,ofSiouxFalls,assumedresponsibilityoftheSouthDakotaArmyNationalGuard’s153rd Engineer Battalion senior noncommis-sionedofficerpositionduringachange-of-re-sponsibilityceremony,Feb.1,attheHuronNational Guard Armory.MettlerassumedresponsibilityfromCom-

mandSgt.Maj.MichaelBurgeson,whohasheldthepositionsinceOctober2008.“CommandSgt.Maj.Burgesonisanout-

standingnoncommissionedofficerthathascontributedgreatlytotheengineerbattalionand is an asset to any organization he is a part ofandIwishhimluckinhisnewassign-ment,” said Lt. Col. David Dailey, 153rd EngineerBattalioncommander.“CommandSgt.Maj.MettlerisanothergreatexampleofwhatyoulookforinthetopNCOofanorganization and I am expecting great things from him. “Hebringsadifferentsetofskillsthatwill

provideanewperspectivetothebattalioncommandsergeantmajorpositionandwill

continue the legacy of excellence that is the 153rd Engineer Battalion”

Mettler has served in the SDNG for 25 yearsandistransferringfromthe196thMa-neuver Enhancement Brigade in Sioux Falls. “Iamgratefultobepartofoneofthe

bestbattalionsintheSouthDakotaArmyNa-tionalGuard,”saidMettler.“Ilookforwardto mentoring and leading the Soldiers of the 153rd.” Burgeson,whohasservedintheengineer

fieldfor26yearsbothonactivedutyandintheNationalGuard,willtransfertothe196thMEB as the chief operations sergeant. “Iwouldliketosaythankyoutothe

thousands of Soldiers and leaders that have touched my life and helped me along the way,”saidBurgeson.“Iwillmisstheday-to-daycamaraderieIhavesharedwithalloftheSoldiers of the 153rd.The153rdhasapproximately845Soldiers

in seven units throughout 12 South Dakota communities.Thebattalionassistsassignedunits in meeting training, administrative and logisticalrequirementstomaintaintheunit’sreadiness in support of their state and federal missions.

command sgt. Maj. george arends, 196th Maneuver enhancement brigade, hands incoming 153rd engineer battalion command sgt. Maj. todd Mettler the noncommissioned officers sword during a change-of-responsibility ceremony, Feb. 1, at the Huron National Guard Armory. The passing of the sword signifies the relinquishing of responsi-bility and authority from the outgoing to the incoming command sergeant major. Mettler assumes responsibility from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Burgeson (left). (Photo by Sgt. Tabitha Carr)

153RD engineeR battaLiOn weLcOMes new seniOR enListeD sOLDieR

GuArd news briefs


OutstanDing unit awaRD with vaLOR ReceiveD by aiRMenby senior Master sgt. nancy ausland114th fighter wing Public affairs

SOUTHWESTASIA-NineAirmenfromthe South Dakota Air National Guard114th FighterWing’sCivilEngineerSquadronwereawardedtheOutstandingUnitAwardwithvalordevicefollowingtheirdeploymenttothe386thAirExpeditionaryWinginSouth-westAsiain2013.TheOutstandingUnitAwardisearned

byaunitwhichperformsexceptionallymeritoriousservice,accomplishesspecificacts of outstanding achievement, excels in combatoperationsagainstanarmedenemyoftheUnitedStates,orconductswithdistinctmilitaryoperationsinvolvingconflictwith,orexposureto,ahostileactionbyanyopposingforeign force. The Valor device is authorized whenawardedforcombatorcombatsupportservice.TheAirmenwhoearnedtheawardin-

clude:ChiefMasterSgt.JeffreyD.Deyong;MasterSgt.AllenJ.Wolf;MasterSgt.RobertA. Hanson; Tech. Sgt. Thomas G. Frost; Staff Sgt. Emmy L. Heltzel; Tech. Sgt. Thomas G.Frost;SeniorAirmanTravisJ.Boucher;Senior Airman Travis D. Lauseng; and Senior AirmanAlexJ.Portice.

s.D. natiOnaL guaRD Physician assistant & Dentist RetuRn fROM afghanistan

south Dakota army national guard soldier Maj. Murray Thompson, of Pierre, hugs his children, Caden, 9, and Gabi, 6, at Rapid City Regional Airport Dec. 12, after serving a three-month deployment in Afghanistan with the 251st Area Support Medical Company, South Carolina National Guard. Murray is a dentist with the Rapid City-based Medical Command and volunteered to deploy with the SCNG unit. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael beck)

Capt. Terry Henrie, of Philip, greets his two sons, Reese, 10, (left) and Evan, 5, and wife, Jennifer, at the Rapid City Regional Airport Jan. 16, after serving five months at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a physician assistant. henrie is a member of the south Dakota army National Guard’s Medical Command, of Rapid City, and works full-time at Philip Health Services, in Philip as a physician assistant. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Theanne Tangen)

from left, senior airman travis D. Lauseng, tech. sgt. thomas g. frost, senior airman cody w. hall, Tech. Sgt. Robert A. Hanson, Senior Airman Alex J. Portice, and airman 1st class travis j. boucher, all firefighters with the 114th Civil Engineer Squadron, pose for a picture at the 386th Air Expeditionary wing, at an undisclosed location in southwest asia, August 2013. The six firefighters, who received an Air force Outstanding unit award with valor, will return to their home unit in Sioux Falls this fall. (Courtesy photo)

Members of the black hills stock show foundation recognized 20 service members from the sDang and ellsworth air force Base during the 10th annual Military Appreciation Day luncheon, Feb. 4, at the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo.

(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Theanne Tangen)

BHSS Foundation recognizeS Service memBerSRAPIDCITY–TheBlackHillsStockShowFoun-dation recognized Soldiers from the SDANG and AirmenfromEllsworthAirForceBase,forthe10thconsecutive year, during their Military Appreci-ationDay,Feb.4,attheRushmorePlazaCivicCenter in Rapid City.LynnHussman,presidentandboardmemberof

theBHSSF,invited20servicememberstothemilitaryappreciationluncheontohonortheirserviceandshowtheirsupportofthemenandwomeninuniform.“WeappreciatetheSoldiersandAirmenthat

serveintheuniformandthefoundationwantedtoacknowledgethatserviceandsacrifice,”saidHus-sman.“PeoplearoundtheRapidCitycommunityaresoproudofourmilitarymembers.”

TheBHSSFisanon-profitorganizationestab-lished to manage scholarship and grant programs benefittingthecommunities,theregionandthepeoplewhosupporttheBlackHillsStockShow&Rodeo and livestock industry.“ItisamazinghowtheBlackHillsStockShow

Foundationboardofdirectorstakethetimetorecognizeandhonorthelocalmenandwomenservingourcountry,”saidChiefWarrantOfficer5DarlaCrown,SouthDakotaArmyNationalGuardstatecommandchiefwarrantofficer.“TheStockShowisoneofthepremiereventsinRapidCity,andthisluncheonisawonderfultokenofgenerosi-ty and displays of patriotism of the community in whichwelive.”


by sgt. 1st class theanne tangenSDNG Public Affairs Office

WASHINGTON,D.C.–Many Soldiers of the South Dakota Army National Guard can feel overwhelmedwithanxietyandstresswhentheysaygoodbyetotheirparents,spouseorchildrenbeforesteppingontoaplaneheadedtowardacombatzone.Thestresscanbecausedbyanumberof

thingsincludingtheSoldier’sconcernforhisorherlovedoneswellbeing,butwithhelpfrom the Family Readiness Group their stress is reduced.

The 235th Military Police Company FRG leadersChristinaSchmit,JannaChristiansenandLizWhitrockhelpedalleviatestressbybuildingrelationshipsbetweenthewives,parents,childrenandgrandparentsbeforeduringandafterthecompany’snine-monthdeployment in Afghanistan.Notonlywerenewrelationshipsbornbut

anexceptionalFRGgroupwasformedearn-ing the 2013 Department of Defense Reserve FamilyReadinessAwardfortheNationalGuard at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes in Washington,D.C.onFeb.28.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for ReserveAffairsMr.JohnHastingspresentedtheawardeeswithacommemorativeplaqueandframedcertificatealongwithacashawardfromtheMilitaryOfficersAssociationofAmerica.Thecashawardistobeusedtofurtherenhancetheunit’sfamilysupportprograms.

The RFRA recognizes one National Guard and Reserve unit from each of the seven Reservecomponentswiththebestprogramstosupporttheirfamilies.Theprogramwasestablishedin2000torecognizethetopunitFamily Readiness program in each Reserve component that demonstrated outstanding familyreadinesswhilemaintainingsuperiormission readiness. OnereasontheFRGbecameasuccessisdue

toachievingthecommander’sgoalofprovid-ing a friendly environment that encouraged people to participate in unit activities.“MygoalfortheFamilyReadinessGroup

wastogivefamiliesachancetobuildrela-tionshipswitheachother,withsomeonewhocouldrelatetotheirissues,”saidCapt.ThadiusSchmit,235thcommander.“Tryingtogetthroughadeploymentaloneisdifficult.Familiessacrificesomuch;Iwantedtogivepeoplewaystodealwiththedeploymentwith-out feeling alone.”ChristinaSchmitexplainshowshecontrib-

utedtotheFRGasthecommander’swifeandlead volunteer.“Idevelopedawholenewfamilyandsup-

port structure,” said Christina, 235th FRG lead volunteerandwifeofthecommander.“ThemissionIfulfilledwastokeepthefamiliesabreastofinformationandgivethemasenseofsupport.Whenthefamiliesfeltsupport-ed then the Soldiers could focus on their mission.”

The FRG met more than 30 times through-out the year hosting or participating in social eventstoinclude:babyshowerwelcomingthe

newest235thfamilymembers;decoratedafloatfortheVeteran’sDayparade;sentmorethan 200 care packages to the Soldiers and HeroesWearBluememorial5Krun.

The FRG did more than fun activities together,theywerealsoinspiredtocomeupwithatangiblefitnessgoalcalled“RunThemHome,”whichgainedlocalandnationalnewscoverage.CoreyWieczorek,girlfriendof235thmem-

berSpc.BronsonOdle,cameupwiththeconceptfortheFRGtorun13,894miles,theround-tripdistancebetweentheunit’shead-quarters,inRapidCitytoBagramAirfield,Afghanistan,wheretheunitwasstationed.TheFRGsurpassedtheirgoalinNovember

byreaching14,533.99miles,anentiremonthbeforethe235threturned.“Whenagroupofpeopleisfacedwith

adversitytheygelandformabondthatisprettystrong,”saidChristina.“Itbecomesso solid that they feel they can endure almost anything together.”LynnWright,SDNGseniorfamilyreadi-

ness support assistant, nominated the 235th FRGfortheaward.“The235thMilitaryPoliceCompanyis

an outstanding unit comprised of extremely caring, compassionate and dedicated Soldiers andfamilymembers,”saidWright.“Thecommand and the Family Readiness Group understand the importance of educating and informing families to make them ready and resilient for missions. The 235th is a model forotherunitstofollow.”

PentagOn hOnORs 235th Family Readiness GRoup

Army Capt. Thadius Schmit, commander of the south Dakota army national guard’s 235th Military Police Company, of Rapid City, accepts the Department of Defense Reserve family Readiness award on behalf of his unit from Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve affairs Mr. john hastings during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Feb. 28. The 235th Military Police Company Family Readiness Group was recognized as the best in the army national guard for its work providing support to families of the unit during the 235th’s deployment to afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)

the GuArd story

the GuArd story


HARRISBURG–About160SoldiersoftheSouthDakotaArmyNationalGuard’s1742ndTransportationCompanywerehonored during a deployment ceremony inHarrisburg,Dec.14.Hundredsoffamilymembers,friendsandcommunitysupportersgatheredattheHarrisburgHighSchoolau-ditorium to see the Soldiers off as they depart for a yearlong tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Speakers for the ceremony included Gov.DennisDaugaard,Sen.JohnThune,CongresswomanKristiNoemandBrig.Gen.KevinGriese,assistantadjutantgeneraloftheSDARNG. “Weareheretodaytosendthe1742ndoff

withourwellwishes,”saidDaugaard.“Youare the epitome of competency, dedication

andreliabilityandyourepresentthebestofSouth Dakota.”“SouthDakotanshavealwayspunched

abovetheirweightwhenitcomestoanswer-ingthecalltoduty,”saidThune.“Wehavealotofmenandwomenwhoareheretodaywhoaregoingtoanswerthatcallagain–andwesaythankyou.”

The mission of the Sioux Falls and Flan-dreau-based1742ndistoprovidetransporta-tionofbothdryandrefrigeratedcontainer-ized cargo, general non-containerized cargo andbulkwaterandfuelproducts.Forthepast year, the 1742nd has undergone training athomeandinFortMcCoy,Wis.,topreparethem to move equipment and supplies.“Weareextremelyproudofyouandyour

unit,”saidGriese.“Youhaveexecuteda

Soldiers of the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 1742nd Transportation Company are honored during a deployment ceremony Dec. 14, in Harrisburg. Hundreds of family members, friends and community supporters gathered at the Harrisburg High School auditorium to see the Sioux Falls and Flandreau-based unit off as they depart for a yearlong tour to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike beck)

rigorous training program preparing you for thisdeployment,andthereisnodoubtyouare ready.”“InthisdeploymenttoAfghanistanyouare

going to undertake a critical role…the supply chainisabsolutelyvitaltothesuccessofanymilitaryoperation,”saidDaugaard.“TheArmycannotsucceedwithoutfood,fuel,equipment and supplies.”

1742nd commander, Capt. Tyler Gerlach, also spoke during the ceremony and has every confidencehisSoldiersareready.“I’vewatchedthesemenandwomentrain

andbuildtheirteam,andIknowwithoutadoubttheyhavewhatittakes,”hesaid.“Itwasagreatexperiencetocomehereasanewmember,asacommander,andwatchthetransformationfromoneyearagotowhere

1742nd SoldierS honored at deployment ceremonyBy SDNG Public Affairs Office

the GuArd story


Sgt. Thomas Paradeis, of the 1742nd Transportation Company, South Dakota army national guard, holds his daughter during the 1742nd’s deployment ceremony. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike beck)

sen. john thune thanks a soldier of the south Dakota army national guard’s 1742nd Transportation Company during the unit’s deployment ceremony. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike beck)

congresswoman kristi noem thanks a soldier of the south Dakota army national guard’s 1742nd Transportation Company during the unit’s deployment ceremony. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike beck)

wearetoday.Itisanawesomesighttoseethemstandandposturethemselveslikewarriorsattheendofourbattledrillsat Fort McCoy.”Thiswillbethethirdmobilizationforthe1742nd,which

deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2004andinsupportofOperationDesertShield/Stormin1990-1991.Aboutathirdofthe1742ndSoldiersareveterans.For

theremainingmembers,itwillbetheirfirstdeploymenttoacombatenvironment.BothSoldiersandfamilymembersexpressed anxiousness of the upcoming experience.“Likeanyoneelse,Iamunsureaboutit,”saidTiffany,wife

ofSpc.JustinDubbelde,ofSiouxFalls.“Itwillbedevastatingwithallofthekids–havingtobestrongforeveryone.”“Iamnervous,butmoreanxioustogetthisexperience,”

saidSpc.DaneLarsen,ofVolga.“Ihavewaitedmywholelifeto deploy.”Despiteanyuncertainty,Gerlachknowshisunitisingood

hands.“TheseSoldiersaretrained,readyandIhavenoproblem

puttingmylifeintheirhands,astheywouldputtheirsinmine,” said Gerlach.

the GuArd story


PIERRE–Hundredsoffamilymembers,friends and community supports gathered at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre Dec. 17towelcomehome68SoldiersfromtheSouthDakotaArmyNationalGuard’s152ndCombatSustainmentSupportBattalion.Theunitreturnedfromafive-monthdeploymentto Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.Aceremonywas

held in their honor, whichincludedspeakers Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill andMaj.Gen.TimReisch,adjutantgen-eral of the SDNG.“Onbehalfofall

South Dakotans, welcomehome,”saidDaugaard, during the ceremony. “TheseSoldiersaretheepitomeofdependabili-ty,dedicationandreliability,andwethankyoufor your service.”ThePierre-based152nddeployedinJuly

withamissiontoprovidemulti-functionalcombatsupportandcombatservicesupportto forces throughout southern Afghanistan. Multi-functional areas include supply, trans-portation, maintenance and ordnance support. “Themissionthatyouperformedwas

critical…andbyallaccounts,youperformed

152nD sOLDieRs RetuRn fROM afghanistan

spectacularly,”saidReisch.“Whenaunitre-turns,it’sagreatrelieftothefamilies,spouses,friendsandemployerswhohavegonewithoutthecompanionshipandassistanceofthesefineSoldiers.Yourcontributiontothisdeploymenthas not gone unnoticed and this nation is foreverinyourdebt.”

WhileinAfghani-stan, the 152nd provided logistical command and control and coor-dination support for a task forcewithinregional

commands in the south and south-

west,withunitslocatedatfiveforwardoperat-ingbases.Totheunit’scredit,theyimprovedsurveil-

lanceandreconnaissancealongmajorsupplyroutesby50percentfrompreviousoperations–identifying450crediblethreatsthatwereaddressed to make convoy operations safer for U.S. and coalition forces. Theunitalsomaintaineda98percentread-

inessrateonalltheirtaskforce’sequipment,and they provided oversight of contracts total-

Members of the 152nd Combat Sustainment Support battalion, sDng, stand to be recognized during the unit’s welcome home ceremony.

ing$48million.Theyexecutedthemovementof6.5millionpoundsofsuppliesduring150convoys–coveringmorethan100,000miles–to35differentoperatingbases.Thesesuppliessupported more than 30,000 coalition troops. “Theunit’smottois‘SustaintheFight,’and

theseSoldiers’responsetothatmottowas‘OneTeam!’”saidLt.Col.MichaelOster,152ndcommander.“The152ndSoldiersemployedthat motto throughout the entire deployment, andtheypusheditdowntoeverySoldierthatservedwithinourtaskforce.Therewasnoth-ingthatwecouldn’ttakeonandthatisexactlywhattheydideachandeveryday,withoutquestion,withoutfail.”

The 152nd also managed a central issue facility,whichmaintainsmorethan150,000differentlinesofpropertyworthmorethan$26million.Theunitprocessedmorethan80,000transactions of those supplies.“Icouldnotbemoreproudtobethe

commanderofthisunit;asateammember,asaco-workerandasamemberofsuchagreatorganization,” said Oster.

Group photo of the 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, South Dakota Army National Guard, during the unit’s welcome home ceremony Dec. 17, at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre. Soldiers of the 152nd completed a five-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael beck)

gov. Dennis Daugaard welcomes back members of the 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, South Dakota Army national guard, during the unit’s welcome home ceremony.

(Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael beck)

(Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael beck)

the GuArd story

By SDNG Public Affairs Office

RAPIDCITY–Amidthemembersofthe235th Military Police Company sat hundreds offamilymembers,friendsandcommunitysupporters at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Cen-terinRapidCity,Dec.23towelcomehome124 Soldiers from the South Dakota Army National Guard unit. The 235th returned from a nine-month deployment to Bagram AirfieldAfghanistaninsupportofOperationEnduring Freedom.

The ceremony included speakers Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Rapid City Mayor Sam KooikerandMaj.Gen.TimReisch,adjutantgeneral of the SDNG.Familymemberswereoverjoyedwhenthe

bussesarrivedwiththeirescortprovidedbythe Rapid City Police Department, Penning-tonCountySheriff’sDepartmentandtheSouthDakotaHighwayPatrol.“Itstillseemsunreal,ithasn’tquitesetin

yet,”saidSandyCrown,motherofDavidVanVleck,bothofHermosa.“Itwillfinallyseemnormalwhenheisasleepathometonight.”TheCivicCentertheaterwasfilled

almosttocapacitywithfamily,friendsandwell-wishersthroughouttheceremony.Maj.Gen.TimReisch,spokeofreinte-

grationofthe235thSoldiersbackintotheirfamilies.

“Alotofdecisionshavebeenmadewhileyouweregone,”saidReisch.“IasktheSol-dierstoeasebackintothewaythingswere.”TheRapidCityandSiouxFalls-based

235thdeployedinFebruarywithamissiontoprovide security for U.S. military personnel, installation and facilities and to guard pris-onersofwarandcivilianinternees.Theunitalso trained Afghan National Army Soldiers in detainee operations, security, personnel and vehicle search and entry control point operations.

Capt. Thaddeus Schmit, commander of the235th,remarkedabouttherecog-nition from the active duty headquar-ters during their deployment.“Thesergeantmajorsaid‘whenI

amaskedwhomybestlinecompanyis,Isaythe235thMPcompany’,”saidSchmit.“Thebrigadecolonelsaid‘IwishIcouldcloneyourunitandhavefivemorecompaniesjustlikeit.’”

Gov. Dennis Daugaard remarked onthetimelinessoftheunit’sreturnin time for the Christmas holiday.“ThebestChristmaspresentsare

heretwodaysbeforeChristmas,”saidDaugaard.“Welcomehome.”

jennifer Loftin, wife of sgt. cody Loftin reacts to seeing

the bus carrying her husband arrive at the Rushmore

Plaza civic center. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael beck)

Sandy Crown, mother of Spc. David VanVleck, both of

hermosa, hugs her son as he arrives at the Rushmore

Plaza civic center. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael beck)

Staff Sgt. Taylor Sperle feeds his daughter for the first

time at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City,

Dec. 23, during the 235th Military Police Company’s

welcome home ceremony.

(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Michael beck)

Capt. Thaddeus Schmit, commander of the 235th Military Police Company, South Dakota National Guard speaks at the welcome home ceremony held at the Rushmore Plaza civic Center for this unit in Rapid City. (P

hoto

by S

taff

Sgt.

Mich

ael b

eck)


return to South DakotaMiLitaRy POLice

the GuArd story


brig. gen. ted johnson (U.S. Army National Guard photo)

RAPIDCITY–ArmyBrig.Gen.TedJohn-son,ofRapidCity,retiredinJanuaryaftermore than 35 years of military service to thestateandnation.JohnsonretiredasthedirectorofthejointstafffortheSouthDa-kota National Guard and held numerous key leadership positions throughout the years. JohnsonwashonoredforhisserviceduringaretirementceremonyJan.11attheJointForce Headquarters on Camp Rapid. Asdirectorofthejointstaff,Johnson,60,

servedasthetopcoordinatingstaffofficerofboththeSouthDakotaArmyandAirNation-al Guard. He assisted in preparing the more than4,300membersoftheArmyandAirNationalGuard,andmorethan960full-timefederal and state employees, to respond in times of state emergencies or national defense. JohnsonhelpeddirecttheGuardthrough

the largest call up of SDNG forces since WorldWarII,wheremorethan7,200Sol-diers in Airmen deployed over the last decade insupportoftheGlobalWaronTerror.His leadership, enforcement of standards andemphasisonreadinesscontributedto

thesuccessfulmobilizationofSDNGunitsandpersonnelduringthewarsinIraqandAfghanistan. Johnson’sleadershipandmanagement

ofthejointstaffandtheemployeesoftheSDNGensuredthatunitswereproperlymanned,trainedandequippedtogotowar.He also impacted the long-term readiness and professionalism of the organization.“GeneralJohnson’shighstandards,supe-

rior intellect, professionalism and dedication todutyhavedirectlycontributedtotheSouthDakotaNationalGuardbeingheldinsuchhighesteemformanyyears,”saidMaj.Gen.TimReisch,theadjutantgeneraloftheSDNG.“HishistoricalknowledgeoftheSouth Dakota National Guard is unparalleled byanyoneinourgreatorganizationandhewillbesorelymissed.”Johnson,anativeofPipestone,Minn.,be-

gan his long and distinguished career in April of1972,whereheenlistedintheMinnesotaNationalGuard.HejoinedtheSDNGin1984and received his commission as a second lieutenant from the South Dakota Military Academy’sOfficerCandidateSchoolin1985.In1988,hewashiredasafull-timefederaltechnician. Johnsonheldnumerousleadershipand

staffpositionswithinSDNGunits.Hecom-mandedboththe211thand214thEngineerCompanies,aswellasthe82ndCivilSupportTeam,andservedinthe842ndEngineerCompany,109thEngineerBattalion,88thTroopCommandandJointForceHead-quarters.HewasappointedtotherankofbrigadiergeneralonOct.1,2007.AnotablehighlightinJohnson’scareerwas

beingthefirstandonlygeneralofficerinthehistory of the SDNG to command a unit in combat;commandingthe196thManeuverEnhancement Brigade from 2010 to 2011 in Kabul,Afghanistan.Johnsonalsoservedinmanyfull-time

positionsintheSDNGtoincludestatepublicaffairsofficer,directorofmilitarysupporttocivil authorities, director of human resources, deputychiefofstaffofoperationsandjointchief of staff.

“The highlight of my career was working with all the great Soldiers and Airmen in the South Dakota National Guard.”

— Brig. Gen. Johnson SomeofJohnson’sdecorationsandservice

medals include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commen-dation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, GlobalWaronTerrorismServiceMedal,Humanitarian Service Medal and the North Atlantic Treaty Organizational Medal.JohnsonwasbornonAug.3,1953,in

PipestonetothelateDonaldandBettyJohn-son,andhisfamilyincludessevenbrothersandsisters.HisfatherservedinthePacificduringWorldWarII.JohnsongraduatedfromPipestoneHigh

School and attended Saint Cloud State Uni-versitywherehereceivedaBachelorofArtsDegreeinGeography.In1999,hereceivedhisMastersofScienceinPublicAdministra-tion from the University of South Dakota. In 2005,GeneralJohnsonreceivedaMaster’sDegree in Strategic Studies from the United StatesArmyWarCollege.HeismarriedtoLuAnneJohnsonand

theirfamilyincludeschildrenJess,Matt,KariJo,Katie,KatieMarieandNikki.Theirfamilyhasgrowntoincludemanyspousesandgrandchildren.

guaRD geneRaL RetiRes afteR 35 years of service tO state, natiOn

south Dakota army national guard brig. gen. ted Johnson, of Rapid City, speaks during his retirement ceremony, Jan. 11, at the Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Rapid in Rapid City. After more than 35 years of service to the state and nation, johnson retired as the director of the joint staff and held numerous key leadership positions throughout his tenure in the guard. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Trobee)


the GuArd story


DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. –TenF-16FighterFalconsand150Airmenfrom the South Dakota Air National Guard returnedinJanuaryfromDavis-MonthanAirForceBasewheretheyconductedtwoweeksofmandatoryreadinesstraining.TheSDANGutilizedOperationSnow-

bird,aprogramthatallowsnortherntierANGflyingunitstoconducttrainingatDavis-Monthanandthatwouldbehard,ifnotimpossibleinharshweatherconditions.The114thFighterWing,outofJoe

FossFieldinSiouxFalls,sharesajoint-usefieldwiththecivilianairport,whichcan also restrict some of their training.“Wedon’thavelive-weaponcapability

outatJoeFossField,”saidCol.RussWalz,114thFighterWingcommander.“When wegettoalocationlikeDavis-Monthan andwehavethatability,thenwecertainlyexercise it.”

As part of their deployment, pilots receive

theopportunitytodomorenightflyingthannormal.“Wewilltypicallydoone(nightflight)a

month,”Walzsaid.“Whenwegetdeployed,

weliketotakeadvantageofthat,especiallywithnightweaponsandranges.”

This opportunity also gave many of the traditionalGuardsmenthechancetoworkcontinuously.AsmembersoftheANG,someAirmenworkfull-timewhiletraditional

Guardsmenworkoneweekendamonth.The commander expressed his gratitude for

beingabletobeapartofOperationSnowbirdwhileemphasizingitsimportance.

Walzsaidthatmostofthe150Airmenwhovisitedarenotfull-timeGuards-men.Theyhaveprimarycivilianjobsrangingfrombankerstodoctorsandlawyers.“Theseopportunitiesgivethose

Airmenachancetostepawayfromtheircivilianjobsandhaveacontinuous,two-weekperiodwheretheycanfocusonenhancing their military skills and career intheAirForce,”saidWalz.OneoftheGuardsmen’sfavorite

andmorebeneficialpartsofthetriptoArizonawasabreakfromthechillyweatherof South Dakota. “Maintenanceisfareasierwiththis

weather,”saidTech.Sgt.CalebDeGroot,114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Zack Frank, 114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, stands by while Col. Russ Walz, 114th Fighter Wing commander, conducts pre-flight checks before being taxied onto the runway at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 23. The commander and personnel from the South Dakota Air National Guard travelled to Davis-Monthan AFB to conduct mandatory training that can be difficult to accomplish during the harsh winter in South Dakota.

aiR natiOnaL guaRD tRains at Davis-MOnthanStory and photo by Airman 1st Class Betty R. Chevalier — 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

the GuArd story

Spc. Kimberly Meyer, of Mitchell, lead vocals and guitar for the South Dakota Army National Guard 147th Army Band’s country-rock ensemble Drive On, per-forms for students at St. Thomas More High School in Rapid City, Feb. 14. The band performed at eight schools on their tour throughout western South Dakota where they performed a 50-minute show featuring songs from Sweet Home Alabama by Lynrd skynyrd to grenade by bruno Mars.

the south Dakota army national guard 147th army band’s country-rock ensemble

Drive On entertained students at st. Thomas Moore High School in Rapid City as

part of their annual training, Feb. 14. The band performed at eight schools on their

tour throughout western south Dakota where they performed a 50-minute show

featuring songs from sweet home alabama by Lynrd skynyrd to

grenade by bruno Mars.

147th Army BAnd rocks

western south dAkotA schools

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Theanne Tangen — SDNG Public Affairs Office

DAKOTA PACK MAGAZINE

the GuArd story


RAPIDCITY–MembersoftheSouthDako-ta Army National Guard 147th Army Band, of Mitchell, performed for high school and middleschoolstudentsacrosswesternSouthDakotawithacountry-rockbandperfor-manceFeb.8-14.DriveOnisoneofsevenmusicensembles

the147thArmyBandoffers.Thebandorig-inatedasacountrybandbuthasevolvedtoinclude more genres such as classic rock and popmusic,sinceitsdebutin2011.Thebandtraveledtoeightschoolsaspart

of their annual training to expose students to live music and the SDARNG.Severalofthe147thmusicensembles

are also conducting their annual training performing for students throughout the statetoinclude:SGTROCK,performingcurrenthitsfromtoday’spopartiststorockclassics;FTX,featuresavarietyofjazz,funk,pop,rockandrap;MissionEssential,abrassquintet focusing on patriotic tunes, classical pieces and popular hits; and Black Ops, an allclarinetgroupwhoplaysoldclassicstotoday’spophits.

“StudentsnowknowtheNationalGuardhas more opportunities than driving trucks,” said Staff Sgt. Richard Larson, Drive On non-commissioned-officer-in-charge.“Ifnothingelse,theywereentertained.”Duringtheir50-minuteshow,theband

playedsongsfromSweetHomeAlabamabyLynrdSkynyrdtoGrenadebyBrunoMars.“Thisisgreat.Thestudentsloveit,”said

Lloyd Potter, St. Thomas More High School bandteacher.“Thisperformanceexposesthemtolivemusic,whichismuchbetterthanlistening to a CD or iPOD.”

During the performance, Drive On invited Potter onstage to play guitar during the song SweetHomeAlabama.“Thestudentsenjoyedseeingtheirteacher

playguitar,”saidLarson.“Theywerereallycheering for him.”Coincidentally,LarsonandPotterknow

each other. “Mr.Potterwasmyhighschoolband

teacherinPlankintonbackin1996,”saidLar-son.“Icalledhimaweekagoandaskedifhewantedtoplayduringourperformance.”

Spc. Kimberly Meyer, and Sgt. amanda wittemeier both of Mitch-

ell and members of the south Dakota army national guard

147th army band’s country-rock ensemble Drive On, performs for students at st. thomas More high

School in Rapid City, Feb. 14.

Potterhadonlyoneweektopracticethesongbeforejoiningthemliveonstagebutsaiditwasworkableduetotheirmusicaltalent.“Itwaseasyandfun;theyareallgreat

musicians,”saidPotter.“Hopefully,someoftheyoungerstudentswillgetexcitedaboutstayinginbandorpickupanewinstrumentsuchastheguitar,drumsorflute.”Aftertheperformance,thebandhelda

10-minute forum encouraging students to askquestionsaboutmusicortheSDARNG.

Students asked questions ranging from whetherornotthisistheband’sfull-timejobtohowtoset-upequipmentfortheirownband.“InCuster,wehadafewstudentsintheir

ownbandwhoaskedafewquestionsaboutsetting up equipment,” said Sgt. Lisa Groon, leadvocal.“Theywerethankfulfortheinformationandarenowgoingmakeafewchangesthatwillmakethingsbetter.”Groonsaidalthoughitisrewardingtoper-

form music for the students it is even more rewardingtoeducatethem.

the GuArd story


Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Corey Baltos U.S. Army North Public Affairs Office

KEYSTONE–AspartofaU.S.ArmyNorth(FifthArmy)trainingexercise, a small team of South Dakota National Guard service mem-bersassistedlocalemergencyrespondersininvestigatingasimulatedchemicalandradiologicalincidentFeb.11atAmerica’s“ShrineofDemocracy.” The22-personteamofSoldiersandAirmenwiththe82ndCivil

SupportTeam(WeaponsofMassDestruction)receivedacallfromthe Rapid City Hazmat team asking for assistance in identifying a potential radiological threat found at Mount Rushmore National Park.ThescenariowaspartofatrainingeventthemembersofCharlie

Division, Civil Support Training Activity, Army North, designed for theCSTaspartoftheunit’spre-certificationtraining.InApril,the82ndwillbeevaluatedandcertifiedbytheCSTAthroughatechnicalproficiencyexercise,requiredevery18months.“Thisweekyouareourcustomers,”saidJeffTaylor,adivisionchief

withCSTA.“NexttimewegettogethertheNationalGuardBureauandyourgovernorwillbe.Thisisthetimetoaskusquestions.”Beforetheexercisestarted,TaylorgavetheCSTmembersonefinal

pieceofadvicesaying,“Don’tfocusontheshinypenny;lookatevery-thing in the area.”

natiOnaL guaRD ResPOnDeRs tRain at

Lt. Col. Brendan Murphy, commander of the 82nd Civil Support Team, South Dakota National Guard, goes over his team’s battle plan with Dave Yandon, exercise specialist, and Jeff Taylor, a division chief, both with Civil Support Training Activity, U.S. Army North, Feb. 11, during a training exercise at Mount Rushmore national Park that involved the 82nd cst as well as local first responders.

the GuArd story


Whilethetrainingwasspecificallyforthe82ndtopreparefortheircertification,CSTAinvitedlocalfirstresponderstothetrainingbecauseinareal-lifesituationtheCSTwouldbepartofamulti-agencyresponseforce.“Togetthenumberofparticipantswehave

together from all the various agencies gives themanopportunitytoworkoutexactlyhowthey’drespondinarealsituation,”saidTaylor.ThescenariotheCST,alongwiththe

Keystone Fire Department and the Rapid City Hazmat team, responded to involved a tour groupatMountRushmorewholeftaback-packattheviewingarea.Thebackpackthenbegandispersingradioactivematerial.Asthetour group hurried to leave, a second device sprayedtheareawithachemicalcompound.After evacuating the area, rangers from the U.S. Park Service called the local Keystone Fire Department.

“WearrivedandcalledforahazmatteambecausethisisbeyondourcapabilitiesandresourceswehavehereinKeystone,”saidLt.Mark Enright, Keystone Fire Dept. Once the Rapid City Hazmat team arrived, they called the82ndCSTtogetadditionalspecializedsupport.Themembersofthe82ndalsofoundthe

multi-agencytrainingbeneficial.“Thisisafull-timejob;we’reoncall

24hoursaday,365daysayear,”saidAirNationalGuardLt.Col.DaleGadbois,thedeputycommanderofthe82ndCST.“It’simperativeweknowhowtoworktogetherasateam,andworkwithlocalfirstresponders.”

One of the things that made this type of scenariomoredifficult–thanonethattakesplaceinabuildingoranenclosedarea–isthereisnowaytocompletelyknowhowmanypeoplemayhavebeenaffectedbytheincident,orevenhowmanypeoplewereinthe area at the time.“Whilethistypeofincidenthasn’thap-

penedbefore,itcouldhappen,soit’simport-anttobepreparedforit,”saidScottDavis,aparkrangeratMountRushmore.“Wehavetour groups and families coming into the parkeveryday.”DuringFebruary,theparkgets around 1,000 visitors a day.

Whiletheparkwouldhaveshutdownin the event of a real incident, the park remained open during the training. Several ofthevisitorshadanopportunitytowatchsome of the training.“Ifinditfascinating,”saidDawnWest,

aparkvisitorfromWillowCreek,Calif. “Itwouldn’toccurtomethatanyone wouldattackushere,butthemountainis asymbolofournation,sounfortunately it makes sense.”West’shusbandPauladdedthatwhileit

wasunfortunatethatthistypeofscenario hadtoberehearsed,itwasgoodthatitwas.“Hopefullythistypeofscenariowillstay

justthat,butIseehoweasyitwouldbeforsomeone to carry out this type of attack.”SouthDakota’sCSTisoneof57such

specialized National Guard teams around the nation that provide support to civil authorities in the event of chemical, biological,radiologicalandnuclearincidentsbydeployingrapidlytoassistlocalfirstresponders in determining the precise nature of an incident, provide expert medical and technicaladvice,andhelppavethewayfortheidentificationandarrivaloffollow-onmilitary support.

Members of the 82nd Civil Support Team, South Dakota national guard, and the keystone fire Department discuss coordination procedures at Mount Rushmore national Park feb. 11, during a training exercise at the monument. The exercise was designed by U.S. Army North (Fifth Army)’s Civil Support Training Activity to test the unit’s ability to work with local first responders and respond to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident.

army staff sgt. Robert Robertson from the 82nd Civil Support Team, South Dakota National Guard,

suits up in his a level-A suit during a training exercise at Mount Rushmore National Park Feb.

11. The exercise, designed by U.S. Army North (Fifth Army)’s Civil Support Training Activity, was

designed to test the unit’s ability to work with local first responders and respond to a chemical,

biological, radiological or nuclear incident.

the GuArd story


The South Dakota National Guard hosted the 2014 Legislative Dining-Out at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center inPierre,Feb.6.Thisannual

traditionhasbroughtGuardsmenandthestate Legislature together for a formal evening forthelast30years,butthetraditionofthedining-outand/ordining-indatebackmuchfurther. “TheGuardisanorganizationthatisrich

inhistoryandtradition,”saidMaj.CoreyNorris, SDNG congressional action contact officer.“ThiseventprovidestheGuardanopportunitytohonorthelegislatorsbyhost-ingthematatraditionalmilitaryeventwherewehighlightoursignificantaccomplishmentsto the community, state and nation.”Theatmosphere,whileformal,includes

deep-rootedtraditionswhichlightenthemoodandprovidebothmembersandguestsnotonlyplentyoflaughs,butachancetolearn some of the organizations history and traditions and an opportunity to recognize individualand/orunitachievements.TheLegislaturewasalsoshownavideo

highlighting 2013 and the many accom-plishmentsmadebythemenandwomenofthe SDNG. In addition to the many SDNG accomplishments highlighted during the

sD natiOnaL guaRD hOsts

30th Annual

Legislative

Dining-OutNorthWestern Energy is presented with the 2013 South Dakota Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve Pro Patria award during the south Dakota national guard Legislative Dining-Out at the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre, Feb. 6. The award is presented by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to NorthWestern Energy’s Robert Lowe, CEO (third from left) and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kenneth Schoenfelder, foreman (far right). Also pictured from left is Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, adjutant general of the SDNG, Paul Mock, ESGR national chair, and Mr. Ron Mielke, esgR-sD chair. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews)

night, the Guard also recognized a family member,employerandpublicservantwithanawardfortheircontributionsto the SDNG mission.

Pro Patria Award NorthWestern Energy

Theawardsportionofthedining-outbeganbypresentingNorthWesternEnergywiththe2013SouthDakotaEmployerSup-portfortheGuardandReserve(SDESGR)ProPatriaAward.TheProPatriaAwardispresentedtothe

oneemployerinthestatewhoprovidesthemost exceptional support of our nation-al defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employeeswhoserveintheNationalGuardand Reserve.NorthWesternEnergyisaninves-

tor-ownedutilityandoneofthelargestproviders of electricity and natural gas in thenorthwestquadrantoftheUnitedStatesandservesapproximately673,200custom-ers in Montana, South Dakota and Ne-braska.WithitscorporateheadquartersinSiouxFalls,NorthWesternEnergyemploysmore than 1,400 people, including Chief WarrantOfficer4,KennethSchoenfelder,aforemanwiththecompanyandmemberof

theSDNG’s196thManeuver Enhancement Brigade. “Employersareinextricablylinkedtothe

nation’sdefensebysharingtheirmostprecious assets,theiremployees,”saidMaj.LonaChris-tensen, SD ESGR executive director, during the awardpresentation.“NorthWesternEnergyisbeingrecognizedfortheiroutstandingcontribu-tionstothestateandnation’smilitaryservices.TheirleadershipexemplifiesthepatrioticspiritthatisaliveandwellhereinourgreatstateofSouth Dakota.”NorthWesternEnergyrealizestheimpor-

tance of a strong force and provides support andopportunitiestomembersofthearmedforces.EmployeesofNorthWesternEnergyareprovided differential pay, accumulation of paid time off, and access to health insurance at the employeesharecostforthefirstsixmonthsoftheir military duty. NorthWesternEnergyhasfullysupported

ChiefSchoenfelder’smilitarycareer.SinceDesert Storm, he has deployed three times and witheachdeploymentheandhisfamilyhavereceivedincreasedsupportfromNorthWesternEnergy. This support came in the form of care packages,co-workerscheckinginonthefamily,andassistancewhenthingsneedtobefixed.

the GuArd story


The Williamson Militiaman Award Gov. Dennis Daugaard

TheSDNGnextawardedthe2014WilliamsonMilitiamanAwardtoGov. Dennis Daugaard. TheWilliamsonMilitiamanAwardwasestablishedin1987byMaj.

Gen.RonaldF.Williamson(retired)torecognizeanindividualwhoexemplifiesthespiritofthecitizen-Soldierasshownbytheircommu-nity leadership, their support of the National Guard and the defense of our country.

As the Governor of South Dakota, Daugaard also serves as com-mander-in-chiefoftheSDNG.SincetakingofficeinJanuaryof2011,Gov.DaugaardhasbeenatremendoussupporteroftheGuard.“HeisthetypeofleaderthatunderstandsthevalueoftheNational

Guard, and recognizes the unique talents that Soldiers and Airmen pos-sess,andthebroadvarietyofmissionstheyarecapableofaccomplish-ing,”saidMaj.Gen.TimReisch,theadjutantgeneraloftheSDNG.

Daugaard has not hesitated to call upon the Guard in support of stateemergencies.HepersonallyledemergencyfloodprotectioneffortstoavoidcatastrophicfloodingalongtheMissouriRiverjustmonthsaftertakingoffice,andwouldcallonapproximately1,900Guardsmentocombatflooding.Thefollowingyear,hecalledonhisforcestoprovideaviationfiresuppressionon17wildfires.InOctober2013,131Guardsmenandwomenonceagainansweredthegovernor’scalltosupportlocalcitizensinwesternSouthDakotaafterWinterStorm Atlas devastated the region. Whileservingasthelieutenantgovernorandgovernor,Daugaard

hasseenmorethan7,200ofSouthDakota’scitizen-SoldiersandAirmen deploy in support of overseas contingency operations, and he attendednearlyeveryactivationandwelcomehomeceremonyheldforSouthDakotaunits.InAprilof2012,Daugaardshowedtremen-dousleadershipwhenhetraveledtoKuwaitandAfghanistanandmetwiththreeSDNGunitsthatweredeployedthere.Soldierswerethrilledtheircommander-in-chiefcaredsodeeplyaboutthemthathewouldriskhispersonalsafetytovisittheminacombatzone.Pastrecipientsoftheawardinclude:FormerAdjutantsGeneral

Phil Killey and Harold Sykora, former U.S. Senators Tom Daschle andTimJohnson,andformerGovernorsWilliamJ.Janklowand M. Michael Rounds.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard is presented with the 2014 Williamson Militiaman Award by Maj. gen. tim Reisch, left, sDng adjutant general, and Maj. gen. Ronald Williamson (retired), during the South Dakota National Guard Legislative Dining-Out at the Ramkota hotel in Pierre, feb. 6. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews)

Mrs. LuAnne Johnson, wife of recently retired Brig. Gen. Ted Johnson, is pre-sented the 2013 adjutant general’s family award by gov. Dennis Daugaard and Maj. gen. tim Reisch, sDng adjutant general, during the south Dakota national guard Legislative Dining-Out at the Ramkota hotel in Pierre, feb. 6. the award recognizes those family members who support their service members in an exemplary manner while managing family, careers, or even hardship, all the while not seeking recognition for their sacrifices. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews)

The Adjutant General ’s Family Award Mrs. LuAnne Johnson

Toconcludetheawardsportionoftheevening,Maj.Gen.TimReischawardedthe2013AdjutantGeneral’sFamilyAwardtoMrs.LuAnneJohnsonofRapidCity.“Astheadjutantgeneral,Irecognizethevitalimportanceofour

families to the success of our National Guard mission,” Reisch said duringtheawardpresentation.“Thegoalofthisawardistorecog-nizethosefamilymemberswhosupporttheirservicemembersinanexemplarymannerwhilemanagingfamily,careers,orevenhardship,allthewhilenotseekingrecognitionfortheirsacrifices.”LuAnneisthewifeofrecentlyretiredBrig.Gen.TedJohnson.As

bothawifeandmotherofNationalGuardmembers,sheisadedicat-edvolunteerandhasbeenamainstayintheSDNGformanyyears.LuAnneattendedcountlessactivationandwelcomehomeceremoniessince9-11,servedasintegralmemberofseveralFamilyReadinessGroups,andsupportedservicemembers,theirfamiliesandretirees.She has also served as the co-chair for the Elder Tree Program during thepast10years,whichprovidesgiftsandnecessaryitemstoveteransin need throughout the Black Hills area. “LuAnne’sattributesofstrength,faith,optimism,resiliencyand

perseverancehavemadeheraninvaluableresourcefortheNationalGuardforyears,”saidReischduringtheceremony.“Shetrulyepit-omizeswhatthisawardisallabout–afamilymemberwhohassup-portedtheirservicememberandothersinatrulyexemplarymanner,whileneverseekingrecognitionforherefforts.”Followingtheawardsceremonyandbringingtheeveningtoaclose,

Gov. Dennis Daugaard addressed the Soldiers, Airmen in attendance. DaugaardspecificallythankedGuardmembersfortheircontinuoussupportonmissionsbothathomeandabroad.

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The South Dakota Air National Guard announced its Outstanding First Ser-geant,SeniorNoncommissionedOfficer,

NoncommissionedOfficerandAirmanoftheYearfor2013.TheselectionboardchosetheAirmenbasedontheirsuperiorleadership,jobperformance, community involvement and personal achievements.

Senior Master Sgt. Zona Hornstra, of Sioux Falls, is the Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year.Hornstrahasserved17yearswiththe114th Medical Group. She started her military career as a medical element medic and has sinceworkedherwayuptosuperintendentofnursingservices.Hornstrahasspent26yearsasa registered dental hygienist and oral educator in Sioux Falls.“Itisdefinitelyanhonortobeselected,”said

Hornstra.“Therearesomanyexceptionalandprofessionalmilitarymemberswithintheunit,it’sahugecompliment.”

Technical Sgt. Christopher Wilsey, of Lu-verne,Minn.,istheNoncommissionedOfficeroftheYear.HejoinedtheSecurityForcesSquadroninOctober2000.“WhileIwaslookingatdifferentArmyNa-

tional Guard units, my uncle asked me if I had lookedattheAirNationalGuard,”saidWilsey.“HebroughtmeoverforatourandIsignedmy enlistment papers that day.”Wilseyhasafull-timecareerasaplantman-

ager for Minnesota Special Liquids, a liquid feedmanufacturingcompany,wherehehasbeenworkingfor10years.“Receivingthisawardisagreathonor.My

superiorshavealwaysplacedalotoffaithinme,”saidWilsey.“Alltheirfaithmeansalot,andIhavealwaystriedtomeettheirexpecta-tions.”WhenaskedabouthisfuturegoalsWilsey

saidthathewouldliketoonedaybecomethefirstsergeantfortheSecurityForcesSquadron.

The Airman of the Year is Senior Airman Kammi Fiegen,ofParkston.FiegenjoinedtheMedicalGroupofthe114thFighterWingin2010.Shewasrecentlyhiredonfull-timeasahealth technician in the squadron.“MyinfluencetojointheNationalGuard

came from my dad, Todd Fiegen,” she said. “HeispriorserviceArmyandArmyNationalGuard.” Fiegansaysitwasanhonortobechosenas

the 2013 Outstanding Airman of the Year. “Itwastrulyanamazingexperiencetobe

recognized as an outstanding Airman,” she said.“IhopeIcancontinuetomakemypeersand supervisors proud.”

Fiegen plans to make a career out of the AirNationalGuard.Shesayssheenjoysbeingpart of the South Dakota Air National Guard becauseofthepeoplesheworkswith.

Chief Master Sgt. Randy Wingen, of Crooks, is the Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year.WingenjoinedtheAirNationalGuard

inJulyof1992.Hecurrentlyservesasfirstsergeantforthe114thFighterWing.InhiscivilianjobherepairsbrokenlabequipmentforSanfordHospitalasabio-medicaltechnician.“Beingselectedforthisawardisquitean

honor,”saidWingen.“It’ssomethingIdon’ttake lightly.”ThisisthesecondtimeWingenhasbeen

selectedforthisaward,butthebiggestaccom-plishment he is proud of is helping people. “Whenyouhelpsomeonewithaproblemit

isalwaysreallyspecial,”hesaid.“Thereisnoawardordollarvalueyoucanputonthat.”

The 2013 Outstanding Airmen of the Year willrepresentthe114thFighterWingastheycompete against other Air National Guard membersnationwidetodeterminetheoverallAir National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year.

Story by Technical Sgt. Christopher Stewart — 114th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Wilsey, of

Luverne, Minn., with the sDang 114th

Security Forces Squadron, was named

the 114th fighter wing noncommissioned

Officer of the Year for 2013.

senior airman kammi fiegen, of

Parkston, with the sDang 114th

Medical Group, was named the 114th

fighter wing Outstanding airman

of the year for 2013.

chief Master sgt. Randy wingen, of

crooks, with the sDang 114th fighter

wing, was named the 114th fighter

wing’s first sergeant of the

year for 2013.

senior Master sgt. Zona hornstra, of

Sioux Falls, with the SDANG 114th Medical

Group, was named the 114th Fighter Wing

Outstanding senior noncommissioned

Officer of the Year for 2013.

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sD aiR natiOnaL guaRD annOunces Airmen of the YeAr

why we serve

DAKOTA PACK MAGAZINE

why we serve


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SouthDakotahasthebenefitofhavingoneofthelowestunemploymentrateswithintheUnitedStates.BehindNorth

Dakotaandtheirboomingoilbusiness,SouthDakotans,whencomparedtotherestofthenation,seemtoknowwhatthey’redoingwhensearchingforajob.Maybeitisworkethic,ormaybeitisthegoodoldfashionedmentalityofknowinggoodthingscomefromhardwork.Werealizethejobisnotgoingtocometous;wehavetogogetthejob.Havingoneofthelowerunemployment

ratesallowstheHero2HiredprograminSouthDakota to assist individuals looking to further advance their career. Some may not have knownhowtotranslatetheirmilitaryskillsorwritearesumeforthatnext-levelposition.H2Hassistswithresumeandcoverletterwrit-ing,interviewingskills,jobsearchpreparationand translating military related experience.

H2H and its partners, Employer Support

oftheGuardandReserveandServiceMember&FamilySupport,arespearheadinganeffortto make sure employment resources are ready andavailabletointerestedindividuals.Thereare multiple opportunities throughout the yearforservicemembersandtheirfamiliestotake part in Employment Assistance Training workshops.Theseworkshopsconsistofmulti-ple modules covering resume and cover letter writing,interviewingpreparation,assistancewiththejobsearch,andanH2Hwalkthrough.Oneofthebiggestissuesservicemembers

face is translating military experience into termscivilianemployerscanunderstand.Howdoesacombatengineerapplyforabusinessanalystposition?Havingrelevanteducationdoeshelp,butitalonewillnotgetthemthejob.Wetendtofocusonourlearnedskillsets, like placing and detonating explosives, orshootingourriflesduringqualification.Whatwefailtofocusonarethesoftskillswe

learnwhileinthemilitary.Skillslikeinterper-sonalcommunication,leadership,teamwork,administrative tasks, training development, supervision, management and the list goes on. Wecan’tbackourselvesintothecornerbyfocusingononespecificareaofskills.Servicemembershavemanyqualificationslargecor-porationspaybigmoneyfor,becausewegainand maintain them through military training.

By attending the Employment Assistance Trainingworkshops,youwillreceivetrainingfromindividualswhoworkinthecareercoun-selingfield,aswellashumanresourcesprofes-sionals and are involved in the daily hiring and processingofcandidates.Thisisthebestplacetofindthatkindofinformation.Forinforma-tionregardingtheseevents,orhowtoattendpleasecontactDanPopowskiat605-357-2913orMaj.LonaChristensenat605-737-6540.

eMPLOyMent assistance tRaining wORkshOPs heLP seRvice MeMbeRs, faMiLies aDvance caReeRsBy Dan Popowski

why we serve


Senior leaders from the South Dakota Governor’sOfficeandtheNationalGuardvisitedtheRepublicofSuriname;

SouthDakota’sStatePart-nership Program nation, Nov.25-26.ThevisittotheSouth American country wasanopportunitytoreinforce the existing part-nershipbetweentheSouthDakota National Guard and Suriname military.

Lt. Gov. Matt Michels andMaj.Gen.TimReisch,theadjutantgeneraloftheSDNG,metwithU.S.Am-bassadortoSurinameJayN. Anania and Suriname Minister of Defense LamuréLatourtocollaborateonideasforworkingtogetherandtoprovidetrainingopportunitiesforbothorganizations.Theyalso had the opportunity to greet Suriname PresidentDésiBouterseduringSuriname’sNationalDaycelebration.“TheSouthDakotaandSurinamepart-

nershiphasbeenaverypositiverelationship.Thisnotonlyincludesjointmilitaryactivitiesbutalsohumanitarianeffortsthroughouttheyears,”saidAmbassadorAnaniaduringthevisit.“Meetingwithkeyleadershelpstorein-force the importance of the partnership and to continue our goals for the program.”“Therelationshiphasbeenlong-standing

andwehaveexchangedinformationandsubjectmatterexpertsforthebenefitofallinvolved,” said Lt. Gov. Michels of the part-nership.

The South Dakota and Suriname partner-shipwasformallyestablishedinAugustof2006.Sincethen,numerousexchangeshave

taken place betweenSouthDakota and Suriname to share experi-encesandbestpractices in a variety of mili-tary training.“South

Dakota’spart-nershipwithSuriname has becomewidely

knownasoneofthemostactiveandenduringpartnerships of any state or territory,” said Reisch.“Inspiteofchangesincivilormilitaryleadership, the partnership has continued to strengthen year after year.”AmbassadorAnaniacommentedon

the value of Guardsmen participating in Operation Beyond the Horizon in Suriname in2008,ahumanitarianmissiontoprovidehealthservicesandrepairclinics,aswellasSuriname soldiers coming to South Dakota toobservecrisisoperationsandmanagementduringthe2011MissouriRiverflood.“Aswemoveforwardwiththepartnership,

Ibelievewewanttobuildupontheexchangeswehavehad,”saidAnania.“Thefactthatwe’vehadsuchastrongpartnershipwillbolsternewopportunitiesfortrainingandlearning.”TheNationalGuardBureau’sStatePart-

nership Program provides unique capaci-ty-buildingcapabilitiestocombatantcom-mandersthroughpartnershipsbetweenU.S.states and foreign countries. The program helps to support U.S. national interests and securitycooperationgoalsbyengagingpart-ner nations through military, social, political and economic conduits at the local, state and national level.“Ithinkwegetmoreoutofthesetypesof

programsthanwegive,”saidMichels.“Ilookat the South Dakota National Guard individ-ualswhohavebeeninvolveddownhereandhave developed very long relationships. These relationshipstranscendgovernments,ambas-sadors,oranyonewhoisrotatingthrough.This program is a rare constant.“Thingschange,budgetschange,govern-

mentschange,butinsomewaytheStatePartnership Program to assist in terms of diplomaticwork,regionalsecurityandmoreimportantlydevelopingrelationshipswilllastalongtime.Icouldn’tbemoreproudofourArmy and Air National Guard.”

SD leADerS viSit

SurinAme to bolSter

StAte pArtnerShip

suriname President Dési bouterse visits with Maj. gen. tim Reisch, during suriname’s national Day celebration in the Para District, nov. 25. (Photo by Maj. Anthony Deiss)

South Dakota Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, right, speaks with u.s. ambassador to suriname jay n. anania during suriname’s national Day celebration in the Para District on nov. 25. (Photo by Maj. Anthony Deiss)

Soldiers from the Suriname Army’s Special Forces march during Suriname’s National Day celebration and parade the Para District, Nov. 25. (Photo by Maj. Anthony Deiss) By SDNG Public Affairs Office

why we serve


Women from the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard traveled to the South American

countryofSurinameinNovember,aspartofthe State Partnership Program, to participate ina‘WomenintheMilitary’workshopwithmemberstheSurinamearmedforces.Thegoalofthemeetingwastopromoteaware-ness, equality and future opportunities for womeninthemilitary.

Ms. Danielle Veire, deputy director of personnelandgeneralaffairsofSuriname’sMinistry of Defense, kicked off the Nov. 26-27workshopbywelcomingapproximate-ly20womenservinginSuriname’sarmedforces and four from the SDNG.“Wearehavingasubjectmatterexpert

exchangeonwomenservinginthemilitarycentered on female issues in the armed forces,”saidVeire,whowasthefirstwomanto serve as advisor to the commander of Suriname’sarmedforces.“Thewomenaredelightedfortheworkshopandwearedoingour utmost to share information on values, leadership and encourage each other to do theirbestinthearmedforces.”ArmyMaj.KathyDirk,SDNGstatepart-

nership program coordinator and participant intheevent,saidtheworkshopfocusedondevelopment of leadership skills, self-assess-ments,briefingsonequalopportunityandhowwomenintheU.S.militaryandSDNGhave progressed through the years.“Wegavethematimelineofwomen’s

progression in the military and in the South DakotaGuard–wherewecamefrom,howwe’vemovedforwardandthatwe’restillmoving,” said Dirk. Dirksaidwomenhaveonlybeenservingin

the SDNG for less than 50 years and there is stillgroundtobemade.“We’rereallynotthatfaradvancedasfar

aswomeninthemilitary,”shesaid.“Wejustwantedtoletthemknowandgivethemexamplesthatit’sstilladailystruggleforusto get a hold in the organization.”

Veire shares Dirks concern on equal opportunitiesforwomenstating“onpapertheopportunitiesforSurinamewomenare

endless,butinreallifetherearestillsomeissuesthey have to overcome.”“Untilnow,womenwereonlyallowedto

holdadministrativepositionsandwehopeinthenearbyfuturewewillalsobeabletoholdcombatpositions,”continuedVeire.“Myhopeiswomenwillnotbelookedattoserveinpo-sitionsbecauseoffunctionbutbecauseoftheircompetencies and skills.”OneareaboththeSurinameandSouthDako-

tawomenareworkingtomakeadvancementsinis mentorship.“Onethingwehavebothidentifiedweneed

ismentorship,”saidDirk.“Weneedmentorshipfromthepeoplewhohaveadvancedintheircareers,whetherthey’reinthemilitarynoworhaveretired,andusethatknowledgeofthebarriersthattheyfoughtthrough.”“Theirinputistremendous,”saidVeireof

theSDNGwomen.“Itisanopportunityforourfemaleofficerstoseethattherearewomenwithsimilarissues,andtheywereabletoovercomesome of them already.”ChiefMasterSgt.JenniferReecy,aworkshop

participantandmemberof the South Dakota Air National Guard, also felt theexchangeofideaswasbeneficial.“Oneofthebiggest

piecesIwilltakeawayfrom this experience is the growthanddevelopmentthatwecametogiveandalso receive in a mutual relationshipwiththeSuri-namewomen,”saidReecy,a personnel superintendent forthe114thFighterWing.“Bygrowinginbothapersonal and professional capacitywemoveourorga-nizationsforward.”Lt.Col.JohnWeber,

director of the SDNG SPP, saysthisexchangeishelpingtopavethewayforfuture change in Suriname.“TheexchangeswithSurinameinvolving

womeninthemilitaryhassetthestagefor

change to policy in the Suriname military,” saidWeber.“Thesechangesareintendedtopromoteawareness,equalityandfutureopportunitiesforwomeninthemilitary.Surinamewilldeterminepolicyfortheirarmedforces,whichwilldirectlybeattributedtotheoutcomesoftheworkshopsconductedwiththe Guard and Suriname.”

sD guaRD, suRinaMe MiLitaRy cOnDuct

Women’s Workshop

Ms. Danielle Veire, deputy director of personnel and general affairs of suriname’s Ministry of Defense, leads a discussion on issues females face in the military with women from the south Dakota army and air national guard and the suriname armed forces in Paramaribo, suriname, nov. 26. (Photo by Maj. Anthony Deiss)

an all-woman color guard from the south Dakota National Guard carries the U.S. and S.D. flags during

Suriname’s National Day celebration and parade in the Para District, nov. 25. (Photo by Maj. Anthony Deiss)



TwoyoungwomenmadeSouthDakotaArmyNationalGuardhistorybyenlistingasthefirstfemalestoserveasMultiple

LaunchRocketSystemcrewmembersinthestate.Pfc.ErikaCotton,19,ofVolga,recently

graduatedfrom13McrewmemberAdvancedIndividual Training at Fort Sill, Okla., and Pvt. StephanieKasten,18,ofHazel,willbeattendingher advance training this summer. Both are membersofBatteryA,1-147thFieldArtilleryBattalioninAberdeen.

The Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS,isahighlymobile,automaticsystemthatfiressurface-to-surfacerocketsandmissilesfromtheM270platform.Frominsidethecab,thecrewofthreecanfireupto12MLRSrocketsortwotacticalmissiles.CottonandKasten’sopportunitytoserveas

MLRSartillerycrewmemberscomesatatimeofsignificantchangeintheU.S.military.InJanuary2013,formerDefenseSecretaryLeonPanettaandChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, announced the rescissionofthe1994DirectGroundCom-batDefinitionandAssignmentRule,whichrestrictedwomenfromjoiningartillery,armor,infantryandothercombatroles.Thepolicychangenowallowswomento

serveineverypositionwithintheSDNG.

“InthecaseofPfc.CottonandPvt.Kasten,theyhaveanopportunitytobepartofthehis-toricalpushtoallowfemalestoperformajobbasedontheirabilitiesandnottheirgender,”said S.D. Army Guard State Command Sgt. Maj.SusanShoe,seniornoncommissionedofficer.“Thatishuge.TheopportunityforthesetwofemaleSoldierstolearnajobtheywantisthesignificantchangethatwasneededforourmilitarytocontinuetobesuccessfulinthe21stcentury.”CommandSgt.Maj.ToddRose,senior

noncommissionedofficerforthe1-147thFieldArtillery, recognizes the importance of Soldiers joiningthemilitaryregardlessofgender.“Iamproudwhenanyoneraisestheirright

handtoswearinandserve,femaleormale,”saidRose.“Ihopetheyarelookingforachal-lengeandachancetolearnandgrowwithinaprofessional organization.”Aselfproclaimed“daddy’sgirl,”Kasten,ase-

nioratHamlinHighSchool,whoplayshockeyandenjoyshunting,wantedtojointheGuardand do something similar to infantry. Kasten talkedwithherrecruiterpriortothepolicychangeaboutherpotentialopportunities.“AtthetimewhenItalkedwithmyrecruiter,

IfoundthatallofthejobsIwasinterestedinwerenotavailabletofemales,”saidKasten.

Womenrestrictedfromjoiningthefieldartil-leryhasbeenthenormforRose,whohasservedintheGuardforthepast29years.“ItwasthatwaywhenIjoinedthefield

artilleryin1985.Atthetime,wewererequiredto lift 100 pounds to load rounds into the can-nons,”saidRose.“Today,weusecranestoloadandtransportrockets.Wenolongerhavethedemands of lifting heavy rounds. I see nothing inthefieldartillerytasksthatwouldlimitfe-males from performing any assigned duties.”As13Mcrewmembers,KastenandCot-

ton’sjobdutiesaretodriveandmaintaintheself-propelled launch vehicles, reload ammu-nition and resupply vehicles, test and maintain thefire-controlsystemsandmountradiosetsand communication systems.AfewmonthsafterKasten’sdiscussionwith

her recruiter, she called to inform her that womenarenoweligibletojointhefieldartilleryforthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftheSDNG;ifshewasstillinterested.Kastensignedupandbecamethefirstfemale

toenlistintheSDNGasanMLRScrewmember.“Iliketoshootguns,sobeingabletoshoot

missilesreallystuckouttomeandIfeltcapableofbeingthefirstfemaleintheunit,”shesaid.FromthetimeKastenenlistedupuntilnow,

shehasfeltwelcomedintheunitandistreated

By Sgt. 1st Class Theanne Tangen — SDNG Public Affairs Office

Pfc. Erika Cotton, left, and Pvt. Stephanie Kasten, the first females in South Dakota Army National Guard history to enlist and serve as 13M Multiple Launch Rocket System crewmembers, stand in front of an M270a1 launcher from battery a, 1-147th field artillery battalion in aberdeen. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Charles butler)

Sd Guard SoldierS make hiStory aS firSt female artillery crewmemberS

why we serve


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nodifferentlydespitebeingthefirstwoman,said Kasten.NotlongafterKastenjoined,anotheryoung

female chose to take the challenge and enlist. Cotton, a freshman studying Animal Science at SouthDakotaStateUniversity,knewshewantedtoservehercountrysinceattendingherschool’sVeteran’sDayprogramwhenshewas15.“JoiningtheSouthDakotaNationalGuard

hadbeeninthebackofmymindsincemyfreshmanyearofhighschool,”saidCotton.“Itwasthatyear’sVeteran’sDayservicethatreally

whensheheardmesaythat.Whowouldn’twanttodrivehugerocketsaroundandshootmissiles?”

The thrill of having the opportunity to shoot rocketsiswhatmotivatedCottontoacceptthechallengesofjoiningaunitnotaccustomedtowomen.“Iwastoldbyafewothersthattherewould

besomepeoplewhodon’tthinkit’sawoman’sjob,”saidCotton.“IknewthatIwouldhavetoworkhardfromthestart,physicallyandmentally, to prove that I can actually do this. Andthat’swhatI’vebeendoing.”Cottoncreditshercan-doattitudeandwork

ethictogrowinguponherfamily’sranchnearVolga.“EventhoughIamafemale,mydadstill

taughtmeeverythingfromhowtofixfence,todriveouroldMasseytractor,tobreakingiceforourcows,”shesaid.“IamveryappreciativeofhowIwasraised;thickskin,anopenmindandaSouthDakotaworkethichasgottenmeprettyfar in life.”

Diversity, opportunity and perspective are allpositivereasonstoacceptfemalesintofieldartillery, said Rose.“WecurrentlyhaveseveralfemaleSoldiers

thatworkwithinourbattalion,thesetwohappenedtohavesteppeduptobethefirsttojointhe13McareerfieldinSouthDakota,”saidRose.“Theyhavemadeabigcommitmenttothemselves and their country. In my mind they havejoinedanelitegroupofpeoplethatarewillingtobecalleduponinthetimeofneed.”Roseanticipatesmorefemaleswillbejoining

thefieldartilleryandlooksforwardtotheirfirstfemaleofficer.“Wearecurrentlylookingforourfirstfe-

male13seriescareerfieldartilleryofficer,”saidRose.“Thatwillalsobeahistoricalmomentforus and that individual.”StateCommandSgt.Maj.Shoeagreeswith

RoseaboutthefutureofwomenservinginanySDNG position.“Throughoutrecordedhistory,womenhave

beenanintegralpartofthemilitary,whetherofficiallyorunofficially,”saidShoe.“Thelastdecadeofwarshasproventhattheoperationaldefinitionofcombatmeansengagingtheenemyin many capacities and not necessarily on a pro-verbial‘frontline.’Womenshouldbegiventheopportunity to serve in a position they can excel atandshouldn’tbecategorizedinanymannerotherthanthebottomline,canyoudothejobornot?Ifyoucan,thengoforit!”

gotthewheelsturning.Whenalloftheservice-menandwomenstooduptoberecognized,IjustknewthatitwassomethingIwantedtobea part of.”

Cotton recalls the moment her recruiter cametoherfamily’shousetotalkaboutthedifferentunitsandjobsavailableintheGuard.“Heexplainedtomyparentsandmethat

therewereafewopeningshere,afewopeningsthereandthenhementionedfieldartillery,”saidCotton.“IsaidwithouthesitatingthatiswhatIwanttodo,causingmymomtojump

why we serve

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