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Articles
News | April 20, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Doner

Detachment 1, Garrison Support Command

Name: Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Doner
Military Specialty: 12H Construction Supervisor
Years of Service: 24
Unit: Detachment 1, Garrison Support Command, 
Deployments: 2004-2006 Kuwait
Hometown: Underhill, Vt
Current Town: Starksboro, Vt
High School/Graduation Year: 1982 

Q. Why did you join the Vermont National Guard? 
A. To learn something different and get different skills.

Q. What do you do in the Vermont National Guard?
A. Horizontal construction/vertical construction.

Q. What do you do for civilian work?
A. Plumbing and heating.

Q. What do you think is the greatest benefit of being in the National Guard?
A. Being part of something bigger and better than myself.

Q. How has being a National Guard member benefited you in your local community and job?
A. The training I received from the military has helped me at my job.

Q. What is your most memorable military moment?
A. Being part of Task Force Green Mountain. 

Q. How long have you lived in Vermont?
A. 53 Years

Q. What is your favorite aspect of living or working where you do?
A. The four seasons.

Q. What has surprised you about the Vermont National Guard?
A. To be given the opportunity to do missions like going to Senegal to work with their military.

Q. What is your favorite part about serving in the VT National Guard?
A. Training other Soldiers on what we can do.

Q. How many push-ups did you get on your last physical fitness test?
A. 35


Q. What made you volunteer for this Senegal Mission?
A. To be part of a mission to bring different people together and work together.

Q. Is this your first time here going to Senegal? 
A. Yes, this is a great opportunity to build a range with the Senegalese Army.

Q. What is your mission in Senegal?
A. To build an operational range.

Q. Why do you think your mission in Senegal is important?
A. To be part of two different countries working together.

Q. What do you want to take away from this trip?
A. The opportunity to bring different people together to compete a mission/task.

Q. How do you think this mission helps the Vermont National Guard?
A. Being able to train with the Senegal Army.

Q. How do you feel about being able to train with the Senegal Army?
A. I want to learn from them.

Q. What are some differences between Senegal and Vermont?
A. The climate and language.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard - April 2025

The above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. Read the transcript of MG Gregory Knight's full State of the Guard here.

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