UMD & MDDF Team Up on Infrastructure Education

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
18 December 2016

The University of Maryland and the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) teamed up for the third straight year this Fall semester to teach a course called Infrastructure and Society at the College Park campus. This three credit service learning course is designed to emphasize the importance of identifying the root causes of the “Infrastructure Crisis.” The course also focuses on the need to maintain infrastructure’s viability for a functioning society. The chief instructor for the course is Dr. David Tomblin. The MDDF course instructors are led by Lt. Col. (MDDF) Ed Hubner and Maj. (MDDF) Isadore Beattie and are sourced from the MDDF 121st Engineer Regiment.

The course has several learning outcomes which include ensuring that the students understand the importance of infrastructure systems and explore the social and political barriers to the proper maintenance of infrastructure. The course also enables students to gain hands on technical knowledge of building science and infrastructure assessment while working with professional engineers. As a service learning course, the curriculum provided the students with the opportunity to give back to their community through the implementation of a service project.

The service project for the class commenced after the students received building science and installation status report training. This empowered the students under supervision of the MDDF 121st Engineer Regiment to participate in the MDDF’s Installation Status Report assessment program. On an annual basis, all Maryland National Guard armories are evaluated by the MDDF 121st Engineer Regiment and a report is submitted to the Maryland Military Department. This report provides information on what kind of maintenance, repair and capital expenditures are needed to ensure that the armories are able to operate as effectively as possible.

Under the direction of the 121st Engineer Regiment, the students participated in armory assessments in different parts of the state and helped to provide information critical to the drafting of the report. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Ed Hubner shared, “This is such an effective class experience because the students get hands on experience with infrastructure evaluation. This augments the theoretical components of the class and drives home the importance of infrastructure to the operations of an effective society.” Samantha Corbel, a student in the class said, “I thoroughly enjoyed our weekly lessons on infrastructure where I learned so much that had never been very apparent to me.” Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Lorenza Cooper, commanding general of the MDDF commented, “The 121st Engineer Regiment’s participation and support of this community service activity aligns with both the Maryland Military Department and the University of Maryland’s strategic objectives.

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 250 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 Supports 138th National Guard Conference

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
13 September 2016

The Baltimore City Convention Center was home to the National Guard Association of the United States’ (NGAUS) 138th General Conference and Exhibition from September 9 thru September 12, 2016. The goal of the NGAUS at its founding in 1878 and still today is to obtain better equipment and training for the National Guard. The NGAUS General Conference serves as the association’s annual business meeting with more than 2,000 Army and Air Guard officers from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. At the conference the association set its legislative agenda and heard from America’s civilian and military leaders.

In support of the Maryland National Guard (MDNG) which played host to the NGAUS conference, the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Band, widely known as “Maryland’s Musical Ambassadors,” performed three concerts of patriotic music. On September 9, the MDDF Ceremonial Band performed at the Columbus Center in Baltimore for a reception, hosted by Maj. Gen. Linda Singh, the adjutant general of Maryland. On September 12, the MDDF Band performed two concerts. The first performance consisted of a Jazz Combo at Government House in Annapolis, Maryland which serves as the Maryland Governor’s residence. This luncheon reception for the spouses of the adjutants general in Maryland for the NGAUS conference was attended by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. The second performance consisted of a Woodwind Quintet at the Baltimore Convention Center that played for a VIP reception.

Also, during the NGAUS conference, the State of Maryland commemorated the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a ceremony on September 11, 2016 at Baltimore’s World Trade Center. This ceremony honored Maryland residents that perished during the 9/11 attacks and featured a speech by Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford. The MDDF Band performed during the solemn ceremony under the command of Lt. Col. (MDDF) Jari Villanueva.

Lt. Col. (MDDF) Villanueva stated, "It was an honor to support NGAUS and represent the MDDF through our music. Former adjutant general for Ohio and Chairwoman of NGAUS, retired Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst, commented favorably on the music from the band. She started her military career in the U.S. Army Band program as a clarinetist and was surprised and pleased to have a band from the state militia participate in the conference." The Maryland Defense Force Band is a ceremonial unit of the MDDF that provides musical support to the Maryland Military Department and provides ceremonial support to the State of Maryland.

In order to provide logistical support for the MDNG and the conference, the MDDF launched a ten volunteer task force under the leadership of 1st Lt. Christopher Girard. He commented, “Our responsibilities were wide ranging and included staffing the information booth, assisting with registration, transportation of materials and supporting the military police units.” He continued, “We also helped with event set-up and the escort of dignitaries.” “We were kept pretty busy and we’re happy to have played such an integral part in the conference’s success.”

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 250 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 Supports Critical Mission of MDNG 70th Regiment

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
1 September 2016

The Maryland Army National Guard’s (MDARNG) 70th Regiment is a regional training institute for the military. Their stated mission is to “provide a professional learning environment, quality instruction and training support for all military members.” Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground Edgewood area, the 70th Regiment manages the MDARNG’s Officer Candidate School, Warrant Officer Candidate School and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) schools. The 70th Regiment provides essential leadership training for the Maryland Military Department.

For the past six years, the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) has provided essential support to help the 70th Regiment succeed in its important mission. The MDDF 70th Detachment (and later the MDDF Task Force 70th) has provided volunteer personnel officers, operations officers, supply officers and communications officers to augment the 70th Regiment’s activities. The MDDF has also provided the 70th Regiment with chaplains, safety officers and public affairs officers to supplement their ranks.

While providing general administrative support, MDDF personnel officers have processed important paperwork for each of the 70th Regiment’s training academies. MDDF operations officers assisted in drafting operational orders and mission planning activities. Meanwhile, MDDF supply officers have handled logistics for various 70th Regiment training phases, written standard operating procedures and assisted in unit accreditation.

MDDF communications officers have ensured the timely flow of information and MDDF chaplains have provided counseling and support for the 70th Regiment. Public affairs officers from the MDDF have assisted in documenting the training missions and providing appropriate media coverage. Currently, Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Matthew Markle is providing continued MDDF staff support to the 70th Regiment as the assistant training non-commissioned officer.

Command Chief Warrant Officer (MDDF) Thomas Insley has the distinction of having served the longest with the MDDF 70th Detachment. He commented, “Our integration into the 70th Regiment has helped them to fill billets and complete their mission, while also giving the MDDF insight into MDNG operations.” “This will make it even more seamless when we need to fill in and support their efforts during an emergency.” He continued, “This is a win-win for the Maryland Military Department and we are happy to do our part.”

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 250 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.