Soldiers conduct Combatives Level I training at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Md., on Aug. 8th, 2016. The class is physically demanding and pushes the limits of every participant. By the last day everyone knows what it feels like to be choked, kicked, punched in the face, body slammed and how to prevent those things to gain control and ...

Soldiers complete the Combat Lifesaver course at Camp Frettered Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Md., on Aug. 7, 2016. The CLS course certifies non-medical soldiers to perform lifesaving measures and assist medical personnel. CLS students learn how to identify critical medical situations and what measures to take in order to save their life and the lives of fellow service members. (U.S. ...

Soldiers and civilians from Aberdeen Proving Grounds connect with military youth during Military Day at Operation Purple’s Northbay Adventure Camp in Elk Neck State Park, Maryland, on Aug. 16, 2016. Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh, adjutant general of Maryland, speaks to the children about the challenges and sacrifices military families endure. The Northbay Adventure Camp offers a free week of camp ...

The Maryland Army National Guard’s 244th Engineer Company is profiled, highlighting the unit’s substantial history conducting two-week annual training missions aimed to strengthen communities in-need, both offshore (El Salvador and Dominican Republic) and throughout Maryland. Filming took place at the unit’s 2016 annual training site: a Youth ChalleNGe Academy campus in Laurel, Md. Supported in part by the National Guard ...

After a 14-year break of service from active duty, Capt. (Chaplain) Roger Taneus, of Haitian descent, swears in at the 5th Regiment Armory and becomes the newest chaplain in the Maryland National Guard on June 16, 2016. After having good relations with his unit chaplains and becoming awestruck by their ministry with other service members, Taneus decided not to extend after ...

By Spc. Brianna Kearney, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment— REISTERSTOWN, Md. (May 25, 2016) — After every fall to the mats, the students stood up, caught their breath and shook themselves off for the next round. Five soldiers practiced combat techniques and maneuvers in the Tactical Combatives Course on May 16-25 at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown. The rigorous 10-day course ...

By Sgt. Ryan Noyes, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment— A West Point graduation presents an almost unparalleled spectacle of camaraderie, perseverance and adventure. These are tomorrow’s military elite, passing through a 214-year institution steeped in honor and tradition. On May 21, as nearly 1000 white hats flew up in the air and the cheers of joy thundered through Michie stadium. In ...

By Spc. Brianna Kearney, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment— BALTIMORE (May 15, 2016) — With the weight of the state on his shoulders, one soldier represented Maryland in the 2016 Region II Best Warrior Competition on May 4-8 at Camp Dawson, West Virginia. Staff Sgt. Andrew Cullum, a recruiter at the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, competed in the noncommissioned officer category against ...

By 1st Lt Dionna Matteson— The 115th Military Police Battalion and their Bosnian counterparts spent their annual training from April 23 to May 7, 2016 in Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico. The purpose of the exercise was to conduct annual weapons qualifications for the M-4 rifle and the M-9 pistol. The soldiers were also able to dive into more advanced training by working ...

By Spc. Brianna Kearney, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment— The points are counted and Maryland’s Best Warriors are Spc. Christopher Hoffman, Staff Sgt. Andrew Cullum, and Capt. Alexi Franklin in the soldier, noncommissioned officer, and officer in their respective categories. Hoffman and Cullum will continue on to the Regional Best Warrior Competition and face off against other National Guard states. “I just ...