BISMARCK, N.D. — An Iraqi war veteran and an experienced member of the North Dakota National Guard for more than 30 years will assume the duties as the North Dakota Army National Guard’s state command sergeant major. Command Sgt. Maj. Harley J. Schwind Jr., Mandan, N.D., will formally assume these duties from Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald L. Miller, Bismarck, during a change of responsibility ceremony at 2:30 p.m., March 11 at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory.
As the top enlisted soldier in the N.D. Army National Guard, Schwind joins Col. David Anderson, the Land Component Commander, in helping lead the nearly 3,400 soldiers of the North Dakota Army National Guard. Miller, who has served in the position since 2009, will be honored as he retires after 32 years of military service.
The change of responsibility ceremony is an important military ritual which formally and visually demonstrates the transfer of duties, responsibilities and authority between incoming and outgoing command sergeants major. The command sergeant major is the senior-most sergeant or “non-Commissioned Officer” in their unit and is responsible for the enforcement of policies and standards of performance, training, appearance, conduct, health, morale and welfare of the unit’s Soldiers.
Schwind is a native of LaMoure, N.D., and enlisted in 1981 as a combat engineer in the NDNG. His first assignment was with Company D, 141st Engineer Battalion (Corps Wheeled). After serving in this unit for twelve years, he transferred to the North Dakota Military Academy and Engineer School at Camp Grafton, Devils Lake, N.D. in 1993, serving as an instructor, course manager and branch chief.
From 2001-2004, Schwind was assigned as the operations sergeant for the Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division before assuming duties as the command sergeant major for the 164th Engineer Battalion in 2004. He served overseas with this unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-2008.
A native of Oakes, N.D., Miller enlisted in the N.D. Army National Guard in 1979 serving in key leadership positions with the 141st and 142nd Engineer Battalions. From January 2003 until May 2004, Miller was deployed to Iraq as the first sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion. In 2004, he was appointed as the commandant of the Devils Lake, N.D. based 164th Regional Training Institute until 2009, when he was appointed as state command sergeant major for the N.D. Army National Guard.
WHO: North Dakota Army National Guard
WHAT: Change of Responsibility ceremony for North Dakota Army National Guard’s State command sergeant major position
WHEN: Sunday, March 11@ 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Raymond J. Bohn Armory, 4200 East Divide Ave, Bismarck, N.D.
MEDIA: No pre-coordination is required; Sgt. 1st Class Billie Jo Lorius will be on site to help coordinate. Call 701-426-5205.