Monday, June 20, 2011

MDDF Band to Perform at Seventh Annual HCC Red, White, and Blue Summer Concert Series

By 1LT(MD) Daniel Holt
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
17 Jun 2011

The Maryland Defense Force Band, directed by Maj. Jari Villanueva, will perform at the seventh annual Hagerstown Community College Red, White, and Blue Summer Concert Series on Sunday, June 26, 2011, at 4:30 p.m.

To read the full article at herald-mail.com, please click here.

For more information about the Seventh Annual Hagerstown Community College Red, White and Blue Summer Concert Series, please call 301-790-2800, ext. 262, or click here.

For more information about the Maryland Defense Force Band, please click here.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Adjutant General Announces New Commander of All-Volunteer Maryland Defense Force

BALTIMORE, MD (June 2, 2011) - Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland today announced the appointment of Col. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm as the Commander of the all volunteer Maryland Defense Force and replaces Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Courtney Wilson. The appointment of the position is effective July 1, 2011, and Col. (MDDF) Kelm will be promoted to brigadier general effective with his appointment. Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Wilson will continue to support the MDDF as an advisor to Maj. Gen. Adkins. The official change of command and promotion ceremony will take place at a later date.

"I am honored to appoint Col. Kelm as the Commander of the Maryland Defense Force," said General Adkins. "Colonel Kelm is a seasoned member of the military with more than 30 years of experience in facility engineering. He is a registered professional engineer and has a strong background in strategic planning and he is a member of Acquisition Professional Community and warranted contracting officer with unlimited contract authority. I would also like to thank General Wilson for his dedication and his leadership to the MDDF and I welcome him in his new role."

Kelm's career began in the U.S. Navy and spanned 26 years until his retirement in 2003. While on active duty, he served in the Civil Engineer Corps of the United States Navy. His assignments included public works officer/officer in charge of construction at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, chief of staff for the Second Naval Construction Brigade in Little Creek, Va., and commander of the 20th Naval Construction Regiment and Commanding Officer Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Miss. He joined the Maryland Defense Force in 2006 and was assigned as the commander of the newly established Engineer Corps. Kelm's military awards include the Legion of Merit with one gold star, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with silver star, Navy Achievement Medal, Naval Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars, and Fleet Marine Force insignia, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal among others. Kelm holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University and a master's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. He is also a graduate of the United States Naval War College.

The Maryland Defense Force is a volunteer, uniformed agency of the Maryland Military Department, authorized by Maryland law, with a mission to provide competent professional and technical support to the Maryland National Guard and state civil agencies as ordered by the governor and the adjutant general.

The Maryland Military Department is comprised of the Maryland Army and Air National Guard, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the Maryland Defense Force. Since 9/11 more than 9,900 citizen-soldiers and airmen have been called to serve on active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Hurricane Katrina recover effort. The Military Department employs more than 7,300 full-time and traditional Guard members and civilian State employees, contributing more than $307 million annually to Maryland's economy.

For More Information Contact:
Lt. Col. Charles Kohler
Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office
Phone: 443-250-7242

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Maryland Defense Force Cavalry Troop A to participate in 136th Preakness Stakes

By 1LT(MD) Daniel Holt
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
10 May 2011

The Maryland Defense Force Cavalry Troop A will participate in the opening ceremonies of the running of the 136th Preakness Stakes on May 21, 2011 at the Pimlico Racetrack. Troop A will escort the colors as presented by the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing Honor Guard from Fort Meade.

After an impressive performance at Laurel Park for Military Appreciation Day last November, the Maryland Racing Commission invited Troop A to participate in this year’s Preakness Stakes. The mounted escort detail will be lead by Deputy Commander Capt. Cindy Minken on “Patriot’s Pride,” Staff Sgt. Linda Losey on “Rocky,” Sgt. Tallulah Pollard on “Image,” and Sgt. Thomas Kiefer on “Johnny Cash.” Supporting the mounted detail will be Troopers 1st Sgt. Matthew Shertzer and Master Sgt. Steve Wojciechowski.

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

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Maryland Defense Force Supports funeral of Governor William Donald Schaefer

By CPT(MD) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
27 April 2011

Elements of the Maryland Defense Force participated in the funeral services for former Governor William Donald Schaefer. On Monday April 25, 2011 the Maryland Defense Force Commander, Brig. Gen. (MD) Courtney Wilson served as the escort for the William Donald Schaefer “Farewell Tour” through Baltimore City. Greeting the casket where it lay in state in Annapolis, Gen. Wilson accompanied dignitaries in the motorcade to Baltimore visiting many of the former Governor’s favorite spots eventually ending at City Hall where his body lay in state for 24 hours.

On Wednesday April 27, 2011 The Maryland Defense Force Cavalry Troop A provided a riderless horse detail which was led by Cpl. Thomas Kiefer and escorted by Troop A commander Capt. Cindy Minken. This detail marched in the funeral procession from Baltimore City Hall to Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Supporting the riderless horse detail was Master Sgt. Steven Wojciechowski and Sgt. Tallulah Pollard. The horse, “Cozzi’s Magic” was prepped by Mrs. Karen Roop, wife of Capt. David Roop.

A Maryland Defense Force band detail played with the Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums and marched in the funeral procession following the riderless horse. The band detail was led by Chief Warrant Officer Arnold Bundy. Other band members included Maj. John Forberger and Maj. Brett Schaffer.

At Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where the funeral was held the Maryland Defense Force provided fourteen military ushers and escorts under the direction of Capt. Bryan Fischer and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Scott. The escort detail helped with access and led scores of dignitaries to their assigned seats. Officers serving as escorts included Col. George Rich, Lt. Col. Amato Mongeluzzo, Lt. Col. Greg Barnhill, Maj. Karl Katterjohn, Capt. Michael Behringer and Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Insley. Enlisted personnel serving as escorts included 1st Sgt. William Finch, Master Sgt. Matthew Shertzer, Master Sgt. Steven Wojciechowski, Master Sgt. Gary Miconi, Staff Sgt. Brandt Eppler and Sgt. Tallulah Pollard

After the funeral service the Maryland Defense Force riderless horse detail participated in Governor Schaefer’s final procession. The detail followed Governor Schaefer’s hearse from the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens cemetery front gate to his interment site. Capt. Fischer remarked that he was “honored to participate in the final tribute to a true Maryland legend.”

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/.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

WJZ Reports on the Maryland Defense Force

WJZ news attended the annual Maryland Defense Force muster on 2011-03-26 and reported on it. Read more here.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

121st Engineer Regiment formed at Maryland Defense Force Annual Muster

By CPT(MD) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
26 March 2011

The Engineer Corps of the Maryland Defense Force was re-designated as the 121st Engineer Regiment at the unit’s Annual Muster on March 26, 2011. Several visitors were in attendance including the Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, Adjutant General of Maryland, Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, Brig. Gen. Annette M. Deener, Maryland Delegate Jon S. Cardin and Baltimore County Councilwoman Vicki Almond. The new regimental colors were presented to the regimental commander Col. (MD) Brian Kelm by Brig. Gen. (MD) Courtney B. Wilson, the commanding general. Col. (MD) Kelm remarked that leading the newly formed regiment is an “honor and a privilege.”

After the completion of the formal program and highlights from the Maryland Defense Force band, various units conducted training exercises that were observed by the visiting public. Demonstrations and exhibits on medical, chaplain, communications, and military support services were held on the drill floor. The Maryland Defense Force Mounted Cavalry Unit “Troop A” also performed a special sabre demonstration on the Pikesville Military Reservation grounds.

Brig. Gen. (MD) Courtney B. Wilson was pleased that, “The dedication and professionalism of the Maryland Defense Force and its many components was exhibited for the citizens we voluntarily serve.”

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/.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

2011 Annual Muster of the Maryland Defense Force

The Commander Maryland Defense Force
Brigadier General (MD) Courtney B. Wilson
cordially invites you to attend the

Morning Assembly of the 2011 Annual Muster of the Maryland Defense Force

Saturday the Twenty-Sixth of March, 2011
0900-1100 hours
Pikesville Military Reservation
610 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, Maryland

Music by the Maryland Defense Force Band
Brief Remarks, Demonstrations and Displays


R.S.V.P. LTC (MD) Sierra Braiterman
Duty Uniform or Business Casual
Seating is limited