An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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 2026

Note: the above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. 

National Guard News
A fragment of a World War II P‑38 Lightning aircraft is displayed at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 23, 2026. The Wisconsin National Guard assisted in recovering and transporting aircraft components from Papua New Guinea as part of an effort to bring home the historic fighter that U.S. Army Air Forces Maj. Richard I. Bong flew and named
Wisconsin Guard Helps Return WWII Plane Section
By Leslie Westmont, | July 24, 2026
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin National Guard has helped return a recovered section of a P-38 Lightning aircraft more than 80 years after Wisconsin native and World War II fighter ace Maj. Richard I. Bong flew combat missions...

A U.S. Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade transports water in a water bucket over wildfires in Northern Minnesota, July 15, 2026. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency on July 12, activating the Minnesota National Guard to support civil authorities with aerial wildfire suppression operations. This joint Army and Air National Guard response showcases the state's readiness to protect life, preserve property and support Minnesota communities. Photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust.
National Guard Supports Wildfire Suppression Efforts From the Midwest to West Coast
By Sgt. 1st Class Amber Peck, | July 24, 2026
ARLINGTON, Va. – National Guard units from across the country are supporting wildfire suppression operations in multiple states, providing aerial firefighting aircraft, helicopters and personnel to assist civil authorities as...

U.S. Airmen with the Air National Guard assigned to force support squadrons from Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Puerto Rico, assemble a tent during the fiscal year 2026 Home Station Readiness Training at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 17, 2026. The Home Station Readiness Training is a joint total force integration training involving the 140th Force Support Squadron, 154th Force Support Squadron, 142nd Force Support Squadron, 926th Force Support Squadron and 156th Force Support Squadron, designed to test participants expeditionary capabilities and ensure that force support personnel are prepared to perform their mission in a contested environment. Courtesy photo.
Puerto Rico Guard Airmen Build Force Support Readiness
By Master Sgt. Victor Vazquez, | July 24, 2026
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Airmen from the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Force Support Squadron joined nearly 100 force support professionals from four Air National Guard units and one Air Force Reserve...