Maryland Defense Force Lt. Col. Brett Schaffer Passes Away

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
30 May 2013

On May 4, 2013 Lt. Col. (MDDF) Brett Schaffer passed away. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer served with distinction in the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) for several years. He most recently served as the executive officer of the MDDF Troop Command and performed in the MDDF Band as a percussionist and section leader. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer’s military career started with the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG) where he served as an infantryman in the 115th Infantry Regiment. His military service continued as a member of the 229th Band of the MDARNG. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer initially joined the MDDF as an officer in the Judge Advocate Corps before transferring to the Troop Command.

As a civilian, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer worked as a civil litigator with the prestigious Baltimore law firm of Cohen, Snyder, Eisenberg and Katzenberg, P.A. Prior to joining the firm, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer served the State of Maryland as Assistant Attorney General and as Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore County.

Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer was a consummate professional musician. He performed in the Baltimore area for several years as a commercial instrumentalist for social events. During his career he played for several bands including Kol Chayim and Lox and Vodka. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer had nearly 60 years of experience as a percussionist.

Lt. Col. (MDDF) Brett Schaffer was a proud graduate of Pikesville High School and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He continued his education at Loyola University in Maryland where he received a master’s degree in clinical psychology and at the University of Baltimore School of Law where he received his juris doctor degree.

Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the MDDF stated that,”Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer was an outstanding state soldier and will always be remembered for his many contributions to the MDDF.” “He worked tirelessly no matter what the mission and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”

Click here to view the Baltimore Sun obituary of Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer.

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: http://mddf.maryland.gov/.

Maryland Defense Force Band Kicks Off the "Red, White and Blue" Concert Series at Hagerstown Community College

By CPT (MDDF) Rick Barnes
Maryland Defense Force Band Public Affairs
28 May 2013

The Maryland Defense Force Band will present a concert of wind and brass band favorites on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at 6:15 p.m. at the Hagerstown Community College Alumni Amphitheater. The concert will include several selections popular in America during the 19th Century. The “Red, White and Blue” concert series is hosted by the Hagerstown Community College Alumni Association and sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From June through September this concert series will feature several military bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Maryland National Guard as well as the Maryland Defense Force. For more information about the concert series, call 240-500-2346, or email lsstewart@hagerstowncc.edu.

Widely known as “Maryland’s Musical Ambassadors,” the Maryland Defense Force Band is a ceremonial unit of the MDDF. The MDDF Band provides musical support to the Maryland Military Department and provides ceremonial support to the State of Maryland. For more information on the MDDF Band: http://mddf.maryland.gov/band/.

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.

Maryland Defense Force Band to Perform at the Gettysburg Festival

By CPT (MDDF) Rick Barnes
Maryland Defense Force Band Public Affairs
28 May 2013

Music of the Civil War Era Awaits Listeners as the Maryland Defense Force Band Commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Band will present a concert of wind and brass band favorites on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary Hill Unger Pavilion located at 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg. The concert will include several selections popular in America during the 19th Century.

The Gettysburg Festival has grown to become a yearly tradition for both area residents and tourists alike. With an average attendance of 23,000 people, the Festival celebrates local talent within the community in the areas of visual arts, culinary arts, theater, film, music and children's events. In the past five years, the Gettysburg Festival has presented more than 3,000 artists, musicians and performers.

Widely known as “Maryland’s Musical Ambassadors,” the Maryland Defense Force Band is a ceremonial unit of the MDDF. The MDDF Band provides musical support to the Maryland Military Department and provides ceremonial support to the State of Maryland. For more information on the MDDF Band: http://mddf.maryland.gov/band/.

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.

MDDF Completes Third Annual Initial Entry Training

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
12 May 2013

Twenty-six Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) personnel completed Initial Entry Training (IET) at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Maryland on May 12, 2013. The graduation ceremony capped off a MDDF specific basic training program that was held over two weekends. The training curriculum included various modules to included leadership development, MDDF history, basic first aid, drill and ceremony and military customs and courtesies. Even military veterans joining the MDDF are expected to go through the program in order to get a better understanding of the states volunteer reserve component and its critical role within the State of Maryland.

Capt. (MDDF) Salvatore Simonetta, the IET superintendent stated that it was, “great to see the class come together over the course of the training and develop real esprit de corps.” “They don’t just look sharp, they also really know their stuff.”

The class honor graduate is Capt. (MDDF) Evelyn Kloos who has been assigned to the 10th Medical Regiment. Capt. (MDDF) Simonetta commented that, “She distinguished herself in each phase of the training.” “Capt. (MDDF) Kloos stood head and shoulders above a very talented class which made her selection an easy one for the cadre.”

Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the MDDF served as the keynote speaker for the event. Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Kelm commented that, “This training program lays an important foundation for each MDDF volunteer.” “IET makes each volunteer better in their individual roles and collectively it makes the MDDF better equipped to serve the citizens of this wonderful state.”

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.

MDDF Completes Third Annual Initial Entry Training

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
12 May 2013

Twenty-six Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) personnel completed Initial Entry Training (IET) at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Maryland on May 12, 2013. The graduation ceremony capped off a MDDF specific basic training program that was held over two weekends. The training curriculum included various modules to included leadership development, MDDF history, basic first aid, drill and ceremony and military customs and courtesies.

Even military veterans joining the MDDF are expected to go through the program in order to get a better understanding of the states volunteer reserve component and its critical role within the State of Maryland. Capt. (MDDF) Salvatore Simonetta, the IET superintendent stated that it was, “great to see the class come together over the course of the training and develop real esprit de corps.” “They don’t just look sharp, they also really know their stuff.”

The class honor graduate is Capt. (MDDF) Evelyn Kloos who has been assigned to the 10th Medical Regiment. Capt. (MDDF) Simonetta commented that, “She distinguished herself in each phase of the training.” “Capt. (MDDF) Kloos stood head and shoulders above a very talented class which made her selection an easy one for the cadre.”

Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the MDDF served as the keynote speaker for the event. Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Kelm commented that, “This training program lays an important foundation for each MDDF volunteer.” “IET makes each volunteer better in their individual roles and collectively it makes the MDDF better equipped to serve the citizens of this wonderful state.”

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.