Top North Dakota Guardsmen recognized during weekend conference

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Dan Murphy was named Field-Grade Officer of the Year for the North Dakota Army National Guard. He works full-time as the executive officer for the Army Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion in Bismarck. He also serves as the operations officer for the 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, N.D., during traditional drill weekends. (U.S. Army National Guard photo/Released)  

BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

03.25.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric Jensen 

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. - Distinguished members of the North Dakota Army and Air National Guard were honored for their extraordinary achievements this weekend. Officers, Soldiers and Airmen who stood out among their colleagues in 2014 were recognized March 21 during a National Guard Officer and Enlisted Association of North Dakota awards banquet at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck.

"These Guard members who were recognized this weekend have all cemented themselves as leaders within our organization. The North Dakota National Guard's vision is to cultivate a dynamic, relevant force where everyone is a trained, mentored and empowered leader," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. "These Soldiers and Airmen have lived up to the expectations set forth by that vision by embodying our core values and setting the example of integrity, professionalism and excellence through their accomplishments."

In the North Dakota Air National Guard, Maj. Jackie Nord and was named Field-Grade Officer of the Year and Capt. Gregory Goodman was named Company-Grade Officer of the Year. Nord is the chief of dental services for the 119th Wing in Fargo. Goodman works full-time as the vice commander of the Minot-based 219th Security Forces Squadron. He also serves as the commander of the Fargo-based 119th Security Forces Squadron in his traditional Guard duty status.

For the North Dakota Army National Guard, Maj. Daniel Murphy, of Bismarck, was named as Field-Grade Officer of the Year and Capt. Jay Sheldon, also of Bismarck, was named Company-Grade Officer of the Year. Murphy serves full-time as the executive officer for the North Dakota Army Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion. As a traditional Guardsman, he is assigned as the operations officer for the 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, North Dakota. In his traditional National Guard role, Sheldon serves as the commander for the Fargo-based 191st Military Police Company and works full-time for the North Dakota National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters as the senior intelligence officer.

The Officers of the Year were selected by North Dakota's National Guard Association of the United States, or NGAUS, chapter, which is a professional organization that North Dakota Guard members may choose to join.

The 2014 Airmen of the Year, who were named during a March 7 banquet in Moorhead, Minnesota, were recognized again. Senior Airman Luke Knutson was named Outstanding Airman of the Year. Staff Sgt. Kellynn Fosse was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Master Sgt. Luke Gardiner was named Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

The North Dakota Army National Guard winners of last August's Best Warrior Competition (BWC) also received trophies for their achievements. Staff Sgt. Jason Dittus, of Bismarck, a member of the Williston-based 818th Engineer Company (SAPPER), was the winner in the noncommissioned officer category. In the enlisted category, Spc. David Hathaway, of Grand Forks, a member of the Grand Forks-based Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, took top honors.

Should the winners of the BWC not be able to compete, the runners-up from this year's competition will take their place during the regional competition. This year, Staff Sgt. Travis Sand, of Devils Lake, and a member of the 191st Military Police Company, was the runner-up in the noncommissioned officer category. Spc. Javier Ortiz, of Fargo, a member of the Jamestown-based 817th Engineer Company (SAPPER), took the runner-up position in the enlisted category.

At this year's NGAUS awards banquet, a new category was introduced to honor an outstanding Soldier from the warrant officer ranks. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cody Hertz, of Bismarck, was named as the Warrant Officer of the Year for his achievements as the chief of the North Dakota Army National Guard's Military Personnel Plans and Actions Branch. Hertz was recognized for his exceptional performance in updating the Senior Officer Management Board Standard Operating Procedure, which improved overall career management within the North Dakota Army National Guard.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2015
• Date Posted: 03.25.2015 19:16
• Story ID: 158101
• Location: BISMARCK, ND, US