MDDF Commanding General Reflects on Tenure

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
13 May 2015

After a distinguished 26 year career in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, then Capt. Brian R. Kelm retired in 2003. Three years later he put on a different uniform as a colonel in the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) and commander of the newly formed Engineer Corps. After five years as commander of a unit that eventually became the 121st Engineer Regiment, Col. (MDDF) Kelm was promoted to brigadier general and commanding general of the MDDF in 2011.

Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Kelm will step down as commanding general of the MDDF on Saturday, May 16 during the MDDF Annual Muster at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore, Maryland. After four years of leadership he will turn over the reins of a very different state military reserve component than the one he inherited. At the change of command ceremony, Brig. Gen. (MDDF) James F. Coleman, chief of staff and deputy commanding general of the MDDF will take on the responsibilities of commanding general of the MDDF.

“I am extremely proud of the work that the MDDF has done during my tenure as their commander and I’m even more excited about what the future holds,” said Kelm. “Over the last four years the MDDF state soldiers have volunteered over 200,000 man hours and saved the State of Maryland nearly $24 million dollars. It’s been a very busy four years, “he continued.

“We deployed in support of the state during hurricanes Irene and Sandy.” “The MDDF played a major role in the state’s support of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 during Sailabration in 2012 and Star Spangled Spectacular in 2014.” “A new unit, the MDDF Pioneer Company was launched at Anne Arundel Community College last year and last semester, the 121st Engineer Regiment taught an infrastructure course at the University of Maryland,” Kelm also shared.

Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Kelm also expressed immense pride that the “10th Medical Regiment has operated mobile hospitals for international ironman competitions and triathlons for the past two years while the 121st Engineers last year renovated the War of 1812 exhibit at the Maryland Military Museum at no charge to the state.” “I’m so proud of the men and women who wear the MDDF uniform,” Kelm concluded.

In addition, under Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Kelm’s leadership the MDDF has won some very prestigious awards. In April 2012 Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins who was serving as the adjutant general of Maryland at the time awarded the MDDF 10th Medical Regiment the Outstanding Unit Award. In 2013, the MDDF received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maryland National Guard (MDNG) Freestate ChalleNGe Academy for exceptional support of the youth development program. Finally, in 2014 Salute Magazine named the MDDF 10th Medical Regiment the Unit of the Year. The 10th Medical Regiment beat out active duty, National Guard and reserve military units from across the country to achieve this special honor.

“I am most proud of the fact that the MDDF has become further integrated into the support of the MDNG during my service in the command billet.” “Our units have become more operational and more professional over the last four years and it was a joy to be a part of that progressive change.” “The MDDF will be in excellent hands under the leadership of Brig. Gen. (MDDF) James F. Coleman and I will be ready to support him and the MDDF in whatever capacity that is needed,” Kelm noted.

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 Rallies for Baltimore

By MAJ (MDDF) Bryan Fischer
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
8 May 2015

As dawn broke over Baltimore City, a few miles away Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) personnel were loading up their gear preparing to deploy alongside their Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG) counterparts to stand up a field hospital at Oriole Park at what would become known as Forward Operating Base (FOB) Raven. During the recent State of Emergency in Baltimore, the Maryland Defense Force, Maryland’s uniformed volunteer state military force mobilized forty-three key personnel to complement and augment Maryland National Guard forces deployed to Baltimore.

With doctors, nurses and other medical support personnel at FOB Raven to logistics support personnel pitching in at the Pikesville Military Reservation (PMR) to help de-mobilize the Maryland National Guard (MDNG) as it returned from the city, the MDDF played a key role in the recent mission. MDDF personnel were also embedded into Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) at the Camp Fretterd Military Reservation.

At FOB Raven, the Maryland Defense Force 10th Medical Regiment personnel provided medical services over the course of five days of sustained operation. The MDDF also provided medical personnel at the Fifth Regiment Armory as well as Chaplain support at the Fifth and two other troop staging areas. MDDF forces have not seen a longer deployment since the deployment to Jefferson Parish, Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina relief in 2005. Meanwhile, MDDF operations officers were embedded into the planning and operations staff at Camp Fretterd providing real time updates to command and control and ensuring that personnel were deployed to maximum effectiveness.

As calm had returned to the streets of Baltimore, the next major mission would be to ensure that all Maryland National Guard personnel returned home efficiently and quickly. The Reverse JRSOI (Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration) Operation commenced on Friday morning and the call came out for additional MDDF support. The MDDF personnel mobilized to support the JRSOI effort allowed MDNG personnel with specialized logistics training to be used more effectively as MDDF personnel backfilled for them as force multipliers.

The MDDF supplied personnel to the Joint operations ranged from private first class to colonel. With less than 6 hours notification, the MDDF was able to provide critical professional and technical support to the emergency operations proving once again that nearly 100 years on, the Maryland Defense Force is “Ready When Called. “

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 Finance Corps Brings Talent and Financial Expertise to the MDDF and the MDNG

By 2LT (MDDF) Anthony Granado
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
30 April 2015

The Finance Corps of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is essential to the men and women of the MDDF and the Maryland National Guard (MDNG). This unit, also referred to as D8 is now a full section of the MDDF headquarters staff and it is commanded by Col. (MDDF) John J. Forberger. Col. (MDDF) Forberger is a licensed investment management professional who is assisted by a cadre of multi-talented financial industry experts with a wide range of experience. Unit members have experience in banking, insurance, accounting, energy, corporate finance, government contract auditing and information management security.

“The Finance Corps offers excellence and experience in service to the MDDF and the men and women of the MDNG. The services we offer are essential for maintaining effective troop readiness,” says Col. (MDDF) Forberger. Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, commanding general of the MDDF recognizes just how essential the D8 section is in maintaining the effective readiness of Maryland Defense Force and the Maryland National Guard. “I don’t know what we would do without this fine group of talented men and women. Their contribution and talent ensures we are able to carry out our mission,” says Gen. (MDDF) Kelm.

The operations and training component has been the “workhorse” of D8 for many years according to Col. (MDDF) Forberger. Operations include support of the MDNG Yellow Ribbon Program which services members and their families who are briefed before, during, and after deployment by D8 personnel relating to family financial matters. Some of the topics covered in the briefing include banking, insurance, wills, powers of attorney, and some practical advice with regard to home and auto matters.

Operations also include participation in the soldier readiness programs, recruit sustainment programs, and retirement briefs – all in support of the Maryland National Guard. The MDDF Finance Corps may support these programs four or five times in a single month and sometimes even more often. D8 personnel also work in the finance and accounting section of MDDF and MDNG operation centers when they are set up for active state missions. For example, D8 has participated in missions in support of triathlons, hurricanes, and even an urban heat emergency to deliver water, food and ice to residents affected by widespread power outages.

The accounting, audit, and budget component of the D8 offers support to the MDDF and its other units for any financial management needs that they may have. For example, D8 routinely assists senior command with annual budgets, and recently designed and built an electronic point of sale and inventory system to improve the accountability of monetary transactions and inventory control. The Finance Corps provides essential mission support that allows the Maryland Defense Force and the men and women of the Maryland National Guard, to carry out their service to the people of the state of Maryland effectively and consistently.

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.

Nineteen MDDF State Soldiers Receive MEMS Certifications

By COL (MDDF) Michael Barrett
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
29 March 2015

Chief Warrant Officer (MDDF) Eric Drummer, Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) Academy Director, for the State of Maryland, announced today that nineteen Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) personnel were presented with their Basic, Senior and Master badges, at the graduation ceremony on March 21, 2015, held at Pikesville Military Reservation in Pikesville, Maryland. Thirteen new MEMS qualified personnel earned their Basic Badge, four earned their Senior Badge and two received their Master Badge, the highest award issued by the MEMS Academy.

The MEMS badge is awarded only after completion of a rigorous course of on-line and classroom study combined with several years of practical experience and hands-on participation with local emergency management agencies. The MEMS Academy was created and is administered by the State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) to further the educational advancement of state guard personnel from all fifty states and Puerto Rico.

Col. (MDDF) Michael E. Barrett, president of the Maryland State Guard Association, the local SGAUS affiliate, said that “the MDDF commanding general, Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm has placed great emphasis over the past four years on having all MDDF personnel take part in this important and vital training program because emergency management is a core mission of the MDDF.” Currently, almost 30% of the entire MDDF force strength is MEMS qualified.

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.

Passing of BG Frank T. Barranco Sr.

28 March 2015

The Maryland Defense Force is sad to announce the passing of BG Frank T. Barranco Sr., Commanding General of the Maryland Defense Force from 1993 to 1996.

Maryland Defense Force Supports Historic Maryland Adjutant General Change of Command

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
1 March 2015

On February 28, 2015 at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore, Maryland, Maj. Gen. (MD) Linda L. Singh was sworn in as Maryland’s new adjutant general replacing Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins. Maj. Gen. (MD) Singh also made history becoming the nation’s first female African-American adjutant general. Previously Gen. Singh had served as Maryland’s assistant adjutant general – Army.

In this new role, Gen. Singh will lead the Maryland Military Department which includes the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG), Maryland Air National Guard (MDANG), Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF). Several dignitaries were in attendance for the ceremony including Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and senior leaders from the National Guard Bureau. In support of the ceremony, nearly 250 troops stood in formation. Companies from the MDARNG, MDANG, MDDF and Civil Air Patrol were represented.

Leading the MDDF volunteers in formation was Col. (MDDF) James Coleman, deputy commanding general of the MDDF. He commented that, “We had fifty state soldiers on the drill floor for the ceremony and they looked great.” “It was a wonderful experience and we were honored to be a part of this historical occasion.” He also shared that, “The MDDF is excited for the future and we look forward to working with Maj. Gen. (MD) Singh in service to the citizens of Maryland.”

The MDDF was also ably represented at the ceremony by the MDDF Band which is officially known as “Maryland’s Musical Ambassadors.” Under the direction of Lt. Col. (MDDF) Jari Villanueva the MDDF Band performed a marching “sound off” musical salute to Gen. Singh. As part of the tribute, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Villanueva led the band in a pass in review in front of the adjutant general. Following the ceremony and during the adjutant general’s reception, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Villanueva directed elements of the MDDF Band in a jazz performance that entertained appreciative guests. “It was a busy day for us but we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to do our part in support of Maj. Gen. (MD) Singh.” Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, commanding general of the MDDF commented, “I couldn’t be more proud of how we executed our mission today.”

Members of the band include retired and former members of our nation’s military service bands, music educators and students from all over the state. The band provides musical and ceremonial support to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland. There are 22 states (plus the commonwealth of Puerto Rico) that have State Defense Forces to provide additional uniformed volunteer support to the National Guard. Maryland is only one of four states to have a State Defense Force 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.

Science, Technology and Society Program Students “Save” an Armory

09 February 2015

Click here to read about how the 121st Engineer Regiment has worked with University of Maryland Science, Technology and Society Program Students to create a new service learning course designed to bring greater appreciation for the challenges and importance of maintaining infrastructure.