BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota National Guard staff, colleagues, family and friends bid farewell to outgoing Service Member and Family Support Division (SMFS) Director Rob Keller during an awards presentation and retirement ceremony Dec. 16 at the Bismarck Comfort Inn, as they welcomed incoming director, Lt. Col. Warren Pauling. After overseeing the organization’s family programs for more than six years, Keller officially retired from leading a staff of more than 25 North Dakota Guard members and civilian contractors, who provide care and services for the state’s military members and their families, including the more than 58,000 veterans across North Dakota.
As the new SMFS director, Pauling will be responsible for supervising the division’s various offices, which include the state’s Family Assistance Centers, Family Readiness Support Program, Child and Youth Program, Yellow Ribbon Program, transition assistance advisor, military outreach services and Military OneSource specialist.
During the ceremony, Keller was awarded with a retirement certificate and the North Dakota Legion of Merit for his meritorious service. Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, presided over the ceremony, while Service Member and Family Support directors from South Dakota, Montana, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming also joined the audience.
“Rob has had a diverse career marked by years of exemplary military service. As a civilian employee, he’s made a tremendous impact taking care of military members, retirees, veterans and their families,” Sprynczynatyk said. “We sincerely thank him for his contributions to our organization and wish him well during his retirement. We also are pleased to welcome a new director, Lt. Col. Warren Pauling, who will continue to provide the quality outreach and care our military families rely upon.”
Keller previously served as an enlisted member of the North Dakota National Guard, retiring at the rank of master sergeant after more than 32 years of military service. His military career began in the U.S. Air Force in 1982, when he was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Piedmont, South Dakota, as an aircraft maintenance engineer. He later took a break in military service to work as a television reporter.
In 1986, he became a member of the North Dakota National Guard and held positions of varying responsibility in recruiting and public affairs. The final segment of his military service was spent serving as the organization’s public information officer from 2001 – 2008, where he was regarded by journalists and state agencies as a skilled storyteller, communicator and information resource for the North Dakota National Guard.
After retiring from military service in 2008, he took a short break before returning to work for the North Dakota National Guard that same year as the Service Member and Family Support Division director. Under Keller’s leadership, the division saw the implementation of the Military Service Center concept in North Dakota, which was launched in January 2009 in Bismarck. The center’s success prompted the opening of a second Military Service Center in late 2011 in Fargo.
“Our vision was to establish a one-stop service and resource facility for North Dakota’s military members, of any branch and regardless of the era in which they served. We were successful because of tremendous support from our North Dakota National Guard leadership and the competency and dedication of all our staff members,” Keller said. “It’s a wonderful model that was cultivated by those who worked with our family programs before me. I was happy to be a part of it and am excited to see how our programs will continue to enrich the lives of those in our military community.”
Services available at each site include military ID cards, family assistance, youth programs and information and a Military Outreach Services specialist for resource referral and information. Other services that can be accessed through the Military Service Centers include a personal financial counselor, military family life counselor, Military OneSource assistance, transition assistance advisor, chaplains, licensed social workers, and information on state and federal entitlements and benefits.
Pauling brings more than 32 years of military service to the Service Member and Family Support director position. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as the operations officer for the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion. He also has served in roles as the state mobilization officer, equal opportunity advisor to the adjutant general and the deputy personnel officer for the Joint Force Headquarters.
Pauling holds a master’s degree in management and a commercial instrument aviation license. He resides in Bismarck with his wife, Christine, and his two daughters and son.
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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 4,200 Soldiers and nearly 2,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, more than 15 North Dakota Guardsmen are mobilized for overseas and domestic service. With a total force of about 4,400 Guardsmen, the North Dakota National Guard remains ready for stateside response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.
| Date Taken: |
12.29.2014 |
| Date Posted: |
12.29.2014 15:46 |
| Story ID: |
151173 |
| Location: |
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
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106 |
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