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.

Retired Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. to speak at the MDDF Annual Muster

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
8 March 2013

On March 23, 2013 the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) will hold its Annual Muster at the Pikesville Military Reservation. The Annual Muster is a mandatory all day training activity for all Maryland Defense Force personnel. Company formation and ceremonies will commence at 9:00 a.m. The keynote speaker for this year’s muster will be Cmdr. (Ret.) Everett Alvarez, Jr. Cmdr. (Ret.) Everett Alvarez, Jr. served with distinction in the U.S. Navy for twenty years.

As a naval aviator during Operation Pierce Arrow, he was shot down over North Vietnam on August 5, 1964 and taken prisoner. At the time, Lt. j.g. Alvarez was the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam and he was subsequently held as a prisoner of war (POW) for eight and a half years. Cmdr. (Ret.) Alvarez was held at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” and finally released on February 12, 1973. Cmdr. (Ret.) Alvarez is the second longest-held POW in American history.

After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Cmdr. (Ret.) Alvarez continued with his public service career serving as Deputy Director of the Peace Corps and Deputy Director of the Veterans Administration. He also served as chairman of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission which aims to improve health care and service delivery for American veterans. Currently, Cmdr. (Ret.) Alvarez is Chief Executive Officer of Alvarez & Associates, an information technology and executive management services company.

Cmdr. (Ret.) Alvarez’s military decorations include the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Purple Heart Medals. Recently, he was honored with the 2012 Lone Sailor Award for his post military achievements. Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the MDDF stated that he was “thrilled that Cmdr. Alvarez will be speaking at the Annual Muster.” “He is a true patriot and exemplifies the Navy tradition of strength and honor.” “His life’s work has been not for self but for country and we are truly privileged to have him.”

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/.

MDSGA Selects New Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Edward L. Salas Memorial Enlisted Soldier of the Year

By CPT (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
30 December, 2013

The Maryland State Guard Association (MDSGA) has recently selected their new Enlisted Soldier of the Year named in honor of former Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Edward L. Salas who passed away in 2011. At the recent MDSGA Holiday Ball, Sgt. (MDDF) Karen Holmes was selected to receive this prestigious award and replace the reigning 2011 award winner, Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Paul Swenson. The award is given by the MDSGA upon the recommendation of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Council.

Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson, the outgoing award winner was selected in December 2011 for his selfless service and outstanding contributions to the MDDF. Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson is a founding member of the MDDF Band where he plays the French Horn, as well as supporting the MDDF Band Drumline on bass drum. In addition, Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson served as the lead developer of the refreshed MDDF web presence, which he continues to support on an as needed basis. He was also an early member of the MDDF Rapid Action Team. Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson is also the recipient of the MDDF Achievement Medal.

In the civilian world, Swenson is a lead systems engineer working onsite at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland supporting the upcoming LADEE lunar mission launching in August, 2013. He also plays Alto Horn with the Federal City Brass Band (a Civil War reenactor band), and is an avid skier. MDDF Band commander, Maj. (MDDF) Jari Villanueva recently commented that “Staff. Sgt. Swenson has been invaluable to the success of the MDDF and the band in particular.”

Sgt. (MDDF) Karen Holmes, the incoming award winner was selected for her dedication, professionalism and tireless commitment to the MDDF. Sgt. (MDDF) Holmes currently serves as the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) NCO as well as the administrative coordinator for the MDDF Honor Guard Detachment. Capt. (MDDF) Darrell Hervey, the MWR officer stated that “Sgt. (MDDF) Holmes has gone the extra mile to support the well being of MDDF personnel and is very deserving of this honor.”

In her civilian career, Sgt. (MDDF) Holmes is a federal government safety officer and active volunteer. She works with the American Red Cross for the National Capital Region. Working with the Red Cross, she is part of the Disaster Action Team and oversees MASS Care for the Prince George’s County chapter. She has also served in the Medical Reserve Corps and as a volunteer for the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Park Police.

Col. (MDDF) Michael Barrett, president of the MDSGA said that, “The MDDF is blessed to have a strong NCO corps that serves as the backbone of our state reserve component.” “It is an honor for the MDSGA to support the MDDF and recognize these outstanding individuals.”

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/.

MDDF Supports U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign

By CPT (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
26 December 2013

Starting in September of 2012, members of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Alpha Company worked with other organizations and military units to collect toys for needy children in Washington County, Maryland. The U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign is typically spearheaded by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve but Washington County does not host any active or reserve U.S. Marine Corps units. Working with military and civilian partners, the MDDF helped to fill the void and ensure that hundreds of needy children received toys for Christmas.

MDDF Warrant Officer James Mills served as the project officer for the MDDF and coordinated efforts with the Antietam Marine Corps League, the Maryland National Guard (MDNG), the Salvation Army and civilian volunteers. More than 500 toys were collected at the MDNG Armory in Hagerstown, Maryland by the MDDF’s Alpha Company, the MDNG 581st Troop command, the MDNG Troop C 158th Cavalry, the MDNG 29th MP Company and MDNG Family Support personnel. The toys were combined with collections from other sites and brought to a temporary Antietam Marine Corps League “distribution center” at the Long Meadow Shopping Center in Hagerstown in mid-December. More than 10,000 toys were collected and brought to the distribution center with the help of Alpha Company.

The Salvation Army Toy Shop combined the toys with boxes of food and turkeys that were distributed between December 20th and December 22nd to the needy families. Retired Marines and sailors personally delivered toys to families that were unable to come to the distribution center. In total, more than 1100 families were served which included more than 2600 kids. Every child received at least nine toys.

Warrant Officer (MDDF) James Mills remarked, “I am so happy that we were able to bring some joy to thousands of Maryland kids this holiday season.” Maj. (MDDF) Donald Cutsail who also participated commented, “I was really proud of what we were able to accomplish and I think we can have an even bigger impact next year.” Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the MDDF commander concluded, “The Maryland Defense Force through acts large and small is proactively supporting communities throughout this great state. I am so proud that Alpha Company saw a local need and stepped-up to the plate.”

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 Mobilized to Support Maryland Response to Hurricane Sandy

By CPT (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
3 November, 2012

Elements of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) were activated to support the coordinated State of Maryland response to Hurricane Sandy. These elements were operating under the direction of mission commander Col. (MDDF) James F. Coleman who was supporting the Maryland Military Department’s Joint Force Headquarters as Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil and Military Operations on the Joint Staff. Col. (MDDF) Coleman operated out of Camp Fretterd Military Reservation along with other Joint Staff personnel and the MDDF support team.

In anticipation of the storm, MDDF personnel were posted at Camp Fretterd on October 27 and began support operations at 12:00 noon. While serving at Camp Fretterd, various MDDF personnel staffed the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and the Joint Operations Center (JOC) on a twenty-four hour rotation. MDDF personnel were on site for five calendar days and concluded their support mission on October 31. At the Pikesville Military Reservation, the MDDF Defense Operations Center (DOC) was activated on October 28 for a four day period. The DOC was staffed on a twenty-four hour rotation by MDDF personnel under the operational command of Col. (MDDF) Amato Mongelluzzo. The MDDF DOC helped to liaise with the JOC and coordinate the field operations of the various MDDF units across the state.

MDDF assets were also deployed and prepositioned across the state in preparation for the hurricane’s impact. The MDDF 121st Engineer Regiment deployed a Disaster Assessment Team (DAT) to Salisbury on October, 28 and other MDDF personnel were assigned to Joint Task Force Maryland in Adelphi. In order to support the needs of county emergency operations centers, MDDF County Liaison Teams (CoLT) were posted with various county emergency management teams across the state. In addition, a medical team from the MDDF 10th Medical Regiment was also deployed to Salisbury in support of a Maryland National Guard (MDNG) medical transportation team.

At the Pikesville Military Reservation a second Disaster Assessment Team from the 121st Engineer Regiment was prepositioned for operational activation. A third Disaster Assessment Team was on standby as well as four additional medical teams from the 10th Medical Regiment. In total, nearly 70 MDDF personnel supported the operation and contributed 2430 man hours in support of the State of Maryland. Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the Commander of the MDDF stated, “We were in place and ready to provide whatever support we could to our fellow citizens.” “Although we dodged a major bullet, our personnel answered the call and served with pride and professionalism.”

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 Provides Support for 100th Anniversary Camporee

By MAJ (MDDF) Joseph P. Cirone
Deputy Task Force Commander
October 8, 2012

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) provided vital medical, communications and general support to the 100th anniversary camporee and celebration of Scouting in the Baltimore, Md. area.

Sixty-six volunteer MDDF personnel temporarily attached to Task Force Scout (TFS), successfully executed “Operation Rock the Ridge,” Oct. 5 – 7, at the Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, Md.

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing Scouts, ages 7 to 21, from Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey were among the 3,500 male and female Scouts and 100 adult leaders that camped in tents during the two-night, three-day long Rock the Ridge event.

Hundreds of additional Scouts and their leaders made a day trip to join the celebration and enjoy the many age-appropriate and varied fun and educational activities throughout Saturday.

Saturday’s activities began with an opening ceremony, featuring the MDDF Band and capped off by a Battle of the Bands; a concert; exhilarating laser light show, spectacular fireworks display and the playing of Echo Taps, by six Scouts spread throughout the rolling hills of the park’s landscape and led by MDDF’s renowned Band leader, MAJ (MDDF) Jari Villanueva.

Scouts participated in sports; knot-tying; bb gun and archery target shooting; architectural, computer-aided design and robotics; search and rescue training; model rocketry; geocaching; cardboard boat races; physical fitness and signaling activities.

They viewed and interacted with Baltimore County Police Helicopter and SWAT vehicle displays and personnel; an Indian Village; MDDF Cavalry Troop personnel, Horses and a Saber Demonstration; and Maryland National Guard personnel and an interactive display.

“The MDDF horse Soldiers enthralled the Scouts with their precision riding capabilities,” said Jim Krempel, Boy Scouts of America Baltimore Area Council Assistant Commissioner for Special Events.

Most of all, the Scouts learned and had fun, while Scouting adult and MDDF volunteer personnel ensured their safety and well-being.

Krempel reported, “The Scouts drew on the extensive capabilities of the Maryland Defense Force.”

MDDF’s TFS provided 24-hour emergency medical support from three Aid Stations and two All-Terrain Vehicles, utilizing physicians, nurses, allied health and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, many of whom are prominent in their fields, with years of training, education and experience; all of whom are volunteers.

Other MDDF personnel provided safety patrols around the 33-acre site and around-the-clock radio communications and command post operations, to ensure proper coordination with Scout event leaders and the Baltimore County Police Department; and the necessary command and control of MDDF personnel and their operations.

MDDF personnel from various MDDF units were temporarily detached from their units; assigned to TFS and operating as an effective team, ensured the professional and timely medical treatment of 88 Scouters for various medical emergency situations, including one that required movement to a hospital by the local EMS ambulance provider.

An untold number of injuries and other emergency situations were prevented by MDDF personnel working in concert with Scout personnel to eliminate or mitigate potential hazards or unsafe practices that may be present at a large event attended by youth.

During the operation, MDDF TFS personnel volunteered a total of 839 man-hours. Many additional hours were volunteered by MDDF personnel during the operation’s planning, which began two years earlier.

“The Rock the Ridge Centennial Anniversary of Boy Scouting in Central Maryland cemented an enduring partnership between the Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and the Maryland Defense Force,” Krempel concluded.

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.