Minuteman Report

Indiana National Soldiers responded to the tornado that devastated cities throughout the Southern part of the state. Story by SPC Antonio Archer

Kentucky National Guardsmen have provided assistance to local authorities by pulling security, clearing debris, manning checkpoints and patrolling areas damaged by last week's tornadoes. Story by SSG Aaron Hiler

Air Force officials have released force structure changes and resulting manpower impacts from the new DoD strategic guidance and fiscal 2013 President's Budget. The changes adjust Air Force end strength to 501,000, eliminating 3,900 Active Duty, 5,100 Air National Guard and 900 Air Force Reserve billets.

Eight Missouri National Guard Soldiers and their families got the opportunity to meet and greet the First Lady, Michelle Obama when her plane landed in Kansas City. During her brief visit, the First Lady talked with the Soldiers and their families about deployments and how they have affected the families. Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Crane.

Members of the Washington National Guard's 319th Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company honored a few of their own by participating in a memorial 5-K run while wearing 80-pound bomb suits. Story by SSG Jason Kriess.

Soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard’s 1-160th Field Artillery, stationed at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, conducted a “gateway” mission, securing soldiers as they traveled in and out of country on leave to rest and recuperate.

Texas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force 71 supported local and civil authorities during the El Campo Memorial Hospital Exercise. The training event simulated hazardous and first response incidents and tested alert and response capabilities of the participating agencies. Story by SPC Marline Anyaibe

A record number of Guardsmen from throughout the country gathered at Fort Benning, Georgia, for the fifth annual National Guard Combatives Tournament. The tournament is hosted by the Army National Guard’s Warrior Training Center, and gives Soldiers and Airmen a chance to put their hand-to-hand combat skills to the test—skills they could translate to a deployed environment. Story by TSgt Amber Moni...

Oregon National Guardsmen are using their skills as medics to help facilitate medical awareness to soldiers at BIPSOT, the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training. The Guardsmen traveled to Bangladesh in support of the United Nations Peacekeeping Exercise Shanti Doot 3, and the visit also gave them the opportunity to help strengthen the Oregon National Guard’s State Partnership P...

Texas Army National Guardsmen deployed to the Horn of Africa hosted a Modern Army Combatives Level 1 Instructor's Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Instructors from Task Force Raptor, 3rd squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment gave students the tools needed to teach squad and platoon level combatives, coaching them in everything from dominant position to submission drills during the week-long course....

With Guardsmen around the country struggling with recent budget cuts, the National Guard Association of Texas hosted its annual conference to showcase the value of the National Guard. Story by SPC Richard Castillo

Soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are taking part in a new program after returning from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan and Kuwait. The Employment Coordination Program is an initiative aimed at assisting unemployed or underemployed servicemembers. Story by SSG Larissa Copeland.

Members of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard are giving local students the necessary tools to choose a drug free life through the their Stay on Track program. Story by TSgt Andrew Jackson

Leaders from the Army’s active and reserve components met at the National Guard Professional Education Center in Little Rock, Arkansas to discuss changes that will help shape the United States Army of 2020. Story by Capt Kyle Key

Alaska National Guardsman 1st Lt. Jason Brewer, from the 38th Troop Command, is an experienced boxer who is using his skills to train other Guardsmen how to succeed in the sport. Working so closely with his Soldiers, Brewer is able to encourage and build a confidence in them that carries over to their lives outside of the ring. Video by George Kale.

Idaho Air National Guardsmen with the 124th Fighter Wing are dumpster diving to learn more about their unit's recycling practices. The Airmen's mission is to educate their Wingmen about proper waste management and teach them how to become better stewards of the environment, reduce unnecessary waste into local landfills, and save money by reducing trash pick-ups. Produced by Capt. Tony Vincelli.

A National Guard GED Plus instructor is using his past experiences to motivate others in the classroom and through his music. Story by Capt. Kyle Key.

Pennsylvania Air and Army National Guardsmen are playing a vital role in an Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army joint patrol in the country’s Ghore province. The side-by-side, ANA-ANP patrol is the first of its kind in the province. Story by SPC Fred Brown.

The Iowa Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Squadron is the first U.S. F-16 squadron to be based at Kandahar Air Field. The part of the 451st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, the 124th is responsible for providing close air support and other combat missions.

National Guard members from Alaska, Arizona and Colorado join up with other active and reserve units in Nome, Alaska for Arctic Care 2012. The joint medical readiness and logistics training is said to be the largest recurring exercise of its kind and brings health care and veterinary support to undeserved residents in the Bering Strait and Norton Sound regions of western Alaska.

North Dakota National Guard Soldiers deployed with Kosovo Force 15 (KFOR 15), Task Force Talon, cook waffles every Sunday and help raise money for school supplies and pay for the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) exam fees for local students. The Guardsmen also use their down time to teach. Story by SGT Nathan Rivard

Indiana National Guard Aviation soldiers trained to load the Black Hawk helicopters with helicopter buckets, or “Bambi” buckets. The Guardsmen use the “Bambi Buckets” to put out fires. Story by Spc. Antonio Archer and Sgt. William Henry.

The Washington National Guard's Raptor Battalion taught ROTC students from Seattle University all about the Chinook helicopter. This is the Raptor Battalion's first mission in the community since returning from their deployment to Afghanistan. Story by SSG Jason Kriess

The National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in central Arkansas is host to the Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting (AFSAM) and the Winston P. Wilson Championship Matches (WPW) this year, events which bring together competitors from around the world to participate in a wide range of marksmanship challenges. Story by PFC Katie Gray.

An event held annually at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas has service members and civilians alike lacing up their running shoes to benefit Texas military members and their families. Proceeds from the run are split between Honor Flight Austin, the Texas Military Historical Forces Foundation and the Camp Mabry Family Support Foundation. Story by SGT Luke Allen.