The Adjutant General for the Montana National Guard

11/11/2026

10/29/2026

Yesterday was a great day on the Hi-Line as we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Montana Army National Guard’s new Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Malta , followed by an MT Army Guard Community Day!

This new facility strengthens our readiness and reinforces our commitment to supporting Soldiers and communities across the Hi-Line and northeastern Montana.

Thank you to everyone from Malta and the surrounding communities who joined us for the ceremony and came out to connect with our Soldiers afterward. Your continued support and partnership are what make The Montana Way possible!

10/21/2026

Our latest Headquarters for a Day in Billings was a great opportunity to connect with community leaders, educators and local partners while highlighting the important work of the Montana National Guard and Department of Military Affairs.

I believe it’s important for Montanans to see firsthand the people, missions and capabilities that serve our state and nation. From meaningful conversations to hands-on demonstrations and UH-60 Black Hawk flights, the day reinforced the value of building strong relationships across our communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support our Soldiers, Airmen and the Department of Military Affairs. Working together, serving Montana and always ready to answer the call. That’s The Montana Way.

10/07/2026

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Maldives with members of our Montana National Guard team as we continue strengthening our partnership through the State Partnership Program.

Our discussions focused on security cooperation, defense, disaster response and preparedness, but just as important were the relationships we continue to build with our Maldivian partners.

Montana and the Maldives may have very different climates and geography, but our people and our mindsets are remarkably similar. We face many of the same challenges, and we both come out stronger when we train together, share experiences and learn from one another.

Our partnership is built on trust, professional relationships and a shared commitment to readiness, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen those bonds for years to come.

09/25/2026

Yesterday in Kalispell, we brought Headquarters for a Day directly to the community.

It was a great opportunity to sit down with local leaders, share the missions and capabilities of the Montana National Guard and Department of Military Affairs and hear directly from the communities we serve.

The strength of Montana has always come from our people, our communities and our willingness to work together. Events like this help us build those relationships before we need them most.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Kalispell Armed Forces Reserve Center and helped make the day a success.

That’s The Montana Way.🇺🇸

09/08/2026

Strength isn't measured by how much we can carry alone. In the Montana National Guard, we take pride in being there for one another because resilience doesn't mean facing every challenge by yourself.

During Su***de Prevention Month, we are reminded that true strength is knowing when to reach out, trusting the people around you, and having the courage to say, 'I need help.' We look out for one another, we carry the load together, and we never leave a teammate to face life's toughest moments alone. That is resilience. That is strength. That is the Montana Way.

08/28/2026

Thursday morning I had the opportunity to speak at Hometown Helena, a volunteer‑run grassroots forum that brings our community together each week at Helena College. I opened with my command philosophy—The Montana Way. It isn’t granted; it’s earned through commitment, discipline, and grit. It defines how we serve and reflects a force that is ready, resilient, and trusted to deliver when it matters most. Our Soldiers, Airmen, families, and communities stand united by shared values and homegrown strength.

I shared an update on the work the Montana Department of Military Affairs and Montana National Guard are accomplishing across the state and nation. This includes our nationally recognized Family Programs, recent Best Warrior Competition success, and our ongoing homeland missions—from lifesaving Search and Rescue operations to Wildland Firefighting Red Card training and hosting Foundation Days to strengthen homeland defense. I also highlighted our international partnerships, where military‑to‑military engagements support global stability and build whole‑of‑society relationships across government, economic, and social spheres.

A key part of the discussion was our community partnerships, especially our collaboration with the Prickly Pear Land Trust through the Army’s Readiness & Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program. REPI helps protect military training lands through w**d mitigation, fuels reduction, and watershed improvements—ensuring responsible land use while preserving the ability of our Soldiers and Airmen to train. I introduced Mary Hollow, the Executive Director of PPLT, who shared how this partnership strengthens both our environment and our community.

My thanks to Jim Smith and the Hometown Helena team for the invitation and for fostering a space where leaders and citizens can connect. Montana is stronger when we work together—and today was another reminder of the shared purpose that defines The Montana Way.

08/28/2026

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend time with the dedicated professionals at the Department of Emergency Services, beginning with a tour of the DMA warehouse led by Warehouse Supervisor Douglas Raymer. Seeing the depth of inventory, the organization of critical supplies, and the systems in place to support statewide response operations was both impressive and reassuring. This team is preparing now for the challenges Montana may face tomorrow, and their commitment shows in every detail.

Before joining the DES staff for their monthly division meeting, I had the privilege of recognizing Aryana Schiller, a Gonzaga University intern who spent the summer working across preparedness, mitigation, recovery, response, and SECC planning and assessment. Aryana brought a fresh perspective to each program and offered thoughtful insight during her exit interview—feedback that will help strengthen how we serve Montanans. As a small token of appreciation, I presented her with one of my challenge coins. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her the very best as she returns to Gonzaga to complete her degree.

I closed the day by speaking with DES staff during their monthly meeting, where this month’s focus was emergency preparedness. I reminded them that they are the ones who must be ready when Montanans are facing their worst day, and their professionalism and dedication continue to make our state stronger and more resilient.

To the entire DES team—thank you for the exceptional work you do every day.

08/25/2026

I recently had the opportunity to visit War Eagle Hill and see firsthand what a strong partnership between the Montana National Guard and Prickly Pear Land Trust can accomplish.

Protecting nearly 200 acres adjacent to Fort Harrison helps preserve the space we need to safely train our Soldiers and Airmen while also protecting wildlife habitat and creating opportunities for Montanans to enjoy this land.

For us, this is about readiness, but it’s also about being a good neighbor. Partnerships like this help ensure the Montana National Guard can continue to train and remain ready to serve our state and nation while protecting the places that make Montana special.

08/20/2026

Pretty incredible to see NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration conducting missions right here in Big Sky Country! ✈️

I had the opportunity to visit the 120th Airlift Wing and get an up-close look at NASA’s ER-2 aircraft and learn more about its mission studying wildfire smoke and other aerosols in the upper atmosphere.

Great to see our Montana Airmen and facilities supporting a unique mission with national impact. 🇺🇸