New Sergeant Major Assigned to 68th Troop Command (4/16/12)

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The commander of the North Dakota National Guard’s 68th Troop Command, Col. Darcie Handt (right), Bismarck, N.D., presents the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Guy Boschee, Eureka, S.D., at the change of responsibility ceremony on Apr. 15, 2012 in Bismarck. Boschee recently assumed responsibilities as the unit’s command sergeant major. (Photo by Sgt. Ann Knudson, Joint Force Headquarters)

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Guy Boschee recently assumed responsibilities as 68th Troop Command’s new command sergeant major of the unit. As the command sergeant major, he will be responsible for taking care of and leading 39 Soldiers in 68th Troop Command, which is located in Bismarck.

After accepting the new responsibility, Boschee said, “I’m here to take care of Soldiers. It’s not about me, it’s about Soldiers.”

Boschee is a native of Eureka, S.D. where he serves as the director of utilities for the city.

Command Sgt. Maj. Harley J. Schwind Jr., of Mandan, has been a member of the NDNG for 31 years and has been assigned as the North Dakota National Guard State Command Sergeant Major. As the top enlisted Soldier in the NDNG, Schwind is responsible to help lead the 3,400 Soldiers of the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Boschee, after 32 years of military service, said he’s always considered himself a Soldier-first leader who consistently spoke up for members of the unit. He’ll take that tradition with him to his new position with the 68th Troop Command in Bismarck.

Command sergeants major often are called the “lifeblood of the Army.” There is no substitute for the position or any question of its importance. Their principle responsibility is the health, welfare and training of all Soldiers assigned or attached to their units. They mentor subordinate sergeants major, first sergeants and officers. They also advise commanders and assist in training.

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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,800 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, nearly 300 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while about 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.

High-resolution photos available on Flickr Set "68th Troop Command - Change of Responsibility"

North Dakota National Guard’s 68th Troop Commander Col. Darcie Handt, Bismarck, N.D., hands the unit's colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Harley Schwind, Mandan, N.D., at the Change of Responsibility Ceremony on Apr. 15, 2012 in Bismarck. Boschee recently assumed responsibilities as the 68th Troop Command’s sergeant major. (Photo by Sgt. Ann Knudson, Joint Force Headquarters)

68th Troop Commander Col. Darcie Handt, Bismarck, N.D., presented Command Sgt. Maj. Harley Schwind, Mandan, N.D., with the Meritorious Service Medal at the Change of Responsibility Ceremony on Apr. 15, 2012 in Bismarck. Schwind is now assigned as the State Command Sergeant Major for the North Dakota National Guard. (Photo by Sgt. Ann Knudson, Joint Force Headquarters)