Maryland Defense Force cyber operator named SGAUS Service Member of the Year
by Maj. (MD) Stephen Rice
LONG BEACH, Ca. – A Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) cyber operator was named Service Member of the Year Award at the annual State Guard Association of the United States Conference at the Hilton Long Beach, November 16, 2024.
Maryland Defense Force Capt. (MD) Marc Fruchtbaum of the 256th Cyber Defense Unit (CDU) was presented the award for designing and implementing a “groundbreaking” national cyber exercise, uniting 29 Title 32 cyber defense teams from across the United States.
“This initiative bolstered interoperability and preparedness, significantly enhancing the nation’s collective cyber resilience,” said Maryland Defense Force Maj. (MD) Jeremy O’Mard, commander of the 256th CDU, who also noted that Fruchtbaum and his team established the nation’s first state defense force cyber consortium last year. “This pioneering effort forged a critical alliance between state-level cyber defense entities, solidifying a unified front against evolving cyber threats.”
Fruchtbaum said he was “humbled at this surprise recognition from SGAUS.”
“I think our cyber defense mission is a critical component in our nation’s defense and SGAUS gives us an opportunity to scale best practices for the collective good,” said Fruchtbaum.
The MDDF is the state’s uniformed volunteer militia unit, which provides competent, supplementary, professional, and technical support to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland, as needed. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 200 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support, and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland.
The SGAUS advocates for regulated state military forces also known as state defense forces, state guards, or state military reserves. They are regulated by their respective state and operational guidance is provided by the U.S. Army’s National Guard Bureau.
“We’re thrilled that Capt. (MD) Fruchtbaum is the recipient of this well-earned recognition and he is to be commended for his nationwide efforts to make us all safer from cyber threats,” said Maryland Defense Force Brig. Gen. (MD) Gregory J. Juday, commanding general of the MDDF. “He is a valuable asset to the MDDF, the state of Maryland, and to our nation’s cyber defense.”
