Our annual report is a statutory requirement and
provides an update on our agency’s operations and
accomplishments. Although the Minnesota National
Guard was formed in 1856, the oldest annual report that
our historians have located is from 1892 and is shared
electronically on our website. That year’s document
reported that the Guard consisted of ten companies
of infantry, two troops of cavalry, and two sections of
artillery, with a total strength of 844 Soldiers.
Today, your Minnesota National Guard is nearly 13,000
strong — Minnesotans who have put on the uniform and
sworn to defend our state and nation. Much has changed
since the beginning of your Minnesota National Guard,
but when we ask new enlistees why they joined, they
frequently say, “I want to serve my country.”
The Minnesota National Guard has done well in
recruiting compared to other Guard states; however,
we have seen a decline in those Americans eligible to
serve and those who want to serve. I believe so few
people serve because they do not know what we offer.
On pages four and five, you will find the minimum
requirements necessary to enter our Air or Army Guard
and a QR code to facilitate joining this professional
organization. Please share this information, as every
lead provided to a recruiter helps ensure our success as
a professional organization serving in times of need for
our state and nation. I need everyone’s support to keep
our formations full of Minnesota’s best.
A significant change since our organization’s inception is
the appointment of our first Air Guard Command Senior
Enlisted Advisor. Not only does Command Chief Master
Sgt. Lisa Erikson bring diversity of gender and diversity
of experience, her branch of service also brings diversity
and the ability for her to look at the organization through
a different lens.
Our organizational priorities remain unchanged
from last year and focus on People, Modernization,
and Partnerships. Each priority is important, but
we need partner support to conduct our federal,
state, and community missions. This year’s report
highlights several partners and demonstrates how our
organization shares relationships with multiple countries,
communities, businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Our Soldiers and Airmen remain our greatest strength
and most valuable resource. I acknowledge that we
share this tremendous resource with employers as the
Minnesota National Guard is a part-time job for more
than 10,000 members, and activations and training
requirements can disrupt businesses and organizations.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to our employers
for their continued support.
Lastly and most importantly, we thank our military
families for their service, as we know they must adjust
their lives when activations occur. We are thankful for
their support and commitment to their loved ones and
are forever indebted to them for the sacrifices they
continue to make on our behalf.
Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke
| Published: | November 17, 2024 |
This annual report highlight the accomplishments of the Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard.
