Articles
Results:
Category: Meet Your Guard

March 3, 2022

Soldier Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson

When Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson, a combat medic, joined the New York Army National Guard, she did not anticipate the course her military career would take. “I originally enlisted in the New York Army National Guard when I was 17, right out of high school,” Johnson explained. “My dad was in the military, so he always pushed me in that direction, I never really knew I wanted to be in the Army, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field first.”

Oct. 21, 2021

Biathlon opportunities attract Washington native

Serving in a dual capacity, Pfc. Eli Nielsen’s days are fully occupied. An M-Day, 15 Tango, Black Hawk helicopter maintainer with Detachment 2, Charlie Company 1st Battalion 224th Aviation Regiment, Nielsen is also a member of the Guard’s Biathlon team.

Sept. 28, 2018

Meet Your Guard: SMSgt Jonathan Brownell

This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Essex Junction resident Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Brownell, logistics readiness superintendent with the 158th Fighter Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard.

Sept. 28, 2018

Meet Your Guard: CMSgt Brian Senecal

This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Milton resident Chief Master Sgt. Brian Senecal, the superintendent of the 158th Fighter Wing Operations Group, Vermont Air National Guard.

Sept. 28, 2018

Meet Your Guard: TSgt Christopher Brown

This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Colchester resident Tech. Sgt. Christopher Brown, leader of a fire protection team with the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard

Aug. 31, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Maj. Matthew Wignall

This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Essex resident Maj. Matthew Wignall, brigade operations officer, Headquarters, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard.

Aug. 24, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Officer Candidate Dylan Gates

This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Colchester resident Officer Candidate Dylan Gates, an officer candidate with 2nd Modular Training Battlaion,124th Regional Training Institute.

Aug. 24, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Lt. Col. Doran Metzger

This edition of Meet Your Guard focuses on Milton resident, Lt. Col. Doran Metzger, aeromedical evacuations officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard.

June 20, 2018

Meet Your Guard: CCE Robert Letourneau

This edition of Meet Your Guard focuses on Essex Junction resident, Command Chief Master Sgt. Robert T. Letourneau, Vermont State Command Chief, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard.

June 20, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Tech. Sgt. Matt Dykas

This edition of Meet your Guard focuses on Tech. Sgt. Matt Dykas, a Colchester native and low observable aircraft structural maintenance specialist with the 158th Fighter Wing.

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
U.S. and Botswana military personnel pose for a photo following the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 15. The biennial exercise, held Aug. 10-15, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. Photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove.
Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
By 2nd Lt. Bridget Pittman-Blackwell, | Aug. 19, 2026
BOTSWANA — Exercise Southern Accord 2026 concluded with North Carolina National Guard and Botswana Defence Force leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening military partnerships and regional cooperation during a...

Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, speaks at the 2026 State Partnership Program Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in August.
Nordhaus, Raines highlight global impact of State Partnership Program
By Staff Sgt. Kelly Boyer, | Aug. 18, 2026
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, senior enlisted advisor to the chief, highlighted the State Partnership Program’s growing role in...

2026 State Partnership Program Conference graphic
National Guard Recognizes Top State Partnership Program Achievements
By National Guard Bureau | Aug. 18, 2026
SAVANNAH, Ga. — The National Guard Bureau announced the recipients of the 2025 State Partnership Program (SPP) Awards during a recent conference, recognizing individuals, teams and partnerships whose achievements strengthened...