2020 Year of the Guard
2020 has been unprecedented for the Utah National Guard responding to domestic operations. Over 1,500 Soldiers and Airman of the Utah National Guard have served their communities this year by supporting Utah government agencies in COVID-19 response, civil protection, and wildland fire-fighting. As we celebrate the National Guard’s Birthday today, over 400 Utah National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are currently activated and serving the state on the front lines of COVID-19 response. 2020 truly is the Year of the Guard!
Veterans day: The Greatest Generation is now
The legacy of the Greatest Generation continues in each of us. For Veterans Day this year, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII by remembering all who served, then and now.
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Social Distance with Situational Awareness
As we see an increase in COVID-19 cases in Utah, it's important to follow current guidelines for social distancing, or as we say in the military, "maintain your intervals"
Sgt. Mitch Larsen speaks both Arabic and French in Morocco
Sgt. Mitch Larsen is an Arabic and French linguist with the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade in the Utah National Guard. He eployed to Agadir, Morocco, to serve as a translator for our partner nation.
Speak a language? Learn more.
To: The Heroes
Since March 12, 2020, Utah’s Veteran Homes have been closed to protect staff, vets and visitors from exposure to COVID-19. The 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade made the following video to be played for residents at each of the state’s veteran homes. This is our message of support and gratitude to Utah's amazing veterans and their spouses. Please share with the veterans in your life.
BECOME A HERO HERE
"Maintaining your intervals" is social distancing
To slow the spread of coronavirus, health officials have instructed the public to practice social distancing, or as we say in the military, "Watch your Intervals." Ruck marching or driving under tactical conditions, requires situational awareness of gaps and spacing. These same rules currently apply in social situations to slow the spread of COVID-19: -Avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more -Remain at least 6 feet from other people. Stay healthy, happy, active and #AlwaysReady Learn more: https://ut.ng.mil/COVID19/ (Video by Senior Airman Marcel Williams, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs)
Over 100 Utah National Guard Soldiers and Airmen activated in response to COVID-19
Sgt. Nathaniel Free reporting: More than 100 Soldiers and Airmen in the Utah National Guard were activated to support three separate missions across the state: COVID-19 testing, Utah Health Emergency Response Teams, and contact tracing.
WANT TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY?
Ep. 2: Stuck & Motivated
Feeling stuck and a little unmotivated? It’s okay, we know how you feel. In this video I’ll show you a quick, 4-minute workout, utilizing Tabata. A very effective high intensity interval training [HIIT] method. Please follow along and subscribe for future content! Produced by: SSG Satya Chhe Location: My home Music: Artlist
SafeUTNG is an app that saves lives.
This suicide prevention and awareness app went live December 2019, and has already reported preliminary success. The app, known as SafeUTNG, was designed to support Utah National Guard service members and families in crisis. It’s free to download from the Android and Apple app stores, providing service members and their families with a safe, confidential platform to communicate with a crisis counselor 24/7. In a span of only two months since going live, the app has been downloaded nearly 800 times from the Apple and Google Play markets (541 downloads from Apple, 253 downloads from Google Play). From these downloads, behavioral health providers from the University Neuropsychiatric Institute received 15 tips, which resulted in 42 confidential in-app chats and 817 threads. A thread is the online equivalent of a conversation. Each tip had an average of 65 conversations. The SafeUTNG app can be download via Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.universityofutahhealth.safeutng&hl=en_US or Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safeutng/id1488643677
Pandemic Safety Briefing by Col. Ricky Smith
Col. Ricky Smith, Director of Aviation Safety, gives a briefing to the Utah National Guard on behalf of the adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Turley.
Suicide - All in your head, but you're not alone
During September, the National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, help us spread the facts about suicide and educate others on how we can help those who may be struggling.
The Army Combat Fitness Test is coming. Are you #ACFTReady?
Introducing a series of upcoming 30-second workout videos to help you at the gym while preparing to take the ACFT. Follow us on Instagram @utahnationalguard

Gov. Elect Spencer Cox officially became Utah’s 18th governor after Justice Paige Petersen administered the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony at Tuacahan Center for the Arts in Ivins, Washington County, Utah on Jan. 4, 2021,. Cox and his lieutenant, Deidre Henderson, took the oath of office against a backdrop of red rock cliffs at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts Amphitheatre in Ivins. The date also marks Utah’s 125th anniversary of statehood. Members of the Utah National Guard supported the inauguration with the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley as the master of ceremony; the Utah National Guard Honor Guard presentation of colors; members of the 2nd Battalion; 222nd Field Artillery fire a 19-gun cannon salute; a four aircraft flyover by members of 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion; members of the 85th Weapons of Mass Destruction—Civil Support Team and other support personnel.
Gov. Spencer J. Cox inauguration ceremony 1-4-2021
By Ileen Kennedy | Jan. 5, 2021
Gov. Elect Spencer J. Cox officially became Utah’s 18th governor after Justice Paige Petersen administered the oath of office during an inauguration ceremony at Tuacahan Center for the Arts in Ivins, Washington County, Utah on Jan. 4, 2021, succeeding former Gov. Gary Herbert. 
Lt. Col. Jeremy Stevenson, commander of the 141st Military Intelligence Battalion, speaks during the farewell ceremony for a detachment of 24 Soldiers from the 141st MI at the Utah National Guard’s Orem Readiness Center Dec. 10, 2020, as they prepare to depart for an overseas deployment. The deploying detachment is comprised of human intelligence and counterintelligence Soldiers and tasked to provide force protection support to ground forces during a 12-month deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of operations.(U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class John Etheridge)
Utah National Guard’s 141 MI Battalion hold farewell ceremony for Soldiers deploying to Middle East
By Sgt 1st Class John Etheridge | Dec. 16, 2020
In a scaled back event due to COVID-19 precautions, 24 Soldiers from the 141st Military Intelligence Battalion, 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, said a final farewell during a ceremony Dec. 10, 2020, at the Utah National Guard’s Orem Readiness Center as they prepare to depart for an overseas deployment.
There is nothing better than starting your day with a good old fashioned ruck march. Going where and how far you ask? The snipers wondered that themselves as they started off on foot to ranges of unknown distance headed to obstacles of unknown difficulty. Fatigued and unfamiliar, each team races against time and instability to attain as many targets as possible in the allotted time given on ranges at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Barling, Arkansas, December 5, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. Israel Sanchez)
50th WPW and 30th AFSAM Sniper Championships ~ Colorado, California National Guard Win Sniper Championships
By Maj. Theresa Austin, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center | Dec. 16, 2020
Staff Sgt. Nick D. Hardin and Master Sgt. Richard T. Weems, Utah Army National Guard, earned 3rd place overall for the 50th Winston P. Wilson Sniper Championships and the Winston P. Wilson Precision Engagement Team Champions award December 10, 2020. The championships were hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, with the help of the U.S. National Guard Sniper School, and were held at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center December 4-10, 2020
2nd Lt. Blase Barker teleworks in his home office in Salt Lake City contacting people after they receive a positive COVID-19 test. The Contact Tracing and Investigation team’s goal is to first educate and inform people who have tested positive for COVID-19 on the proper precautions they should take. Secondly, to stop the spread by identifying, contacting, and educating those who came into contact with a morbidity (COVID-19 Positive) case.
UTNG’s Contact Tracing and Investigation Team works tirelessly to protect local communities
By Cpt. Brad Herkimer | Dec. 8, 2020
The ongoing mission of the Utah National Guard Contact Tracing and Investigation Team is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 through morbidity investigations, and methodical contact tracing within 24 hours of a positive test. The team has two primary objectives: First, is to educate and inform people who have tested positive for COVID-19 on the proper precautions they should take. Secondly, to stop the spread by identifying, contacting, and educating those who came into contact with a morbidity (COVID-19 Positive) case.
Lt. Col. Lorin Bodily, chief of operations for the 20th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, studies a large “sand table” map prior to a combined arms rehearsal at Fort Carson, Colo.(U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Nathaniel Free)
From NCO to Virtual Commander
By Sgt. Nathaniel Free | Dec. 4, 2020
The 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and many of its subordinate elements traveled from Utah to Fort Carson, Colorado, to conduct a sweeping division-level combat simulation called a “warfighter exercise,” held in October 2020.
It can be hard to break into a new industry without any real skills. Many entry-level jobs still require at least 1-2 years of prior experience, which can be tough to come by. The Utah Army National Guard will cut you a paycheck while training you in a new skill that can be used in the civilian economy. We are actively looking to hire and train truck drivers, engineers, mechanics, medics, telecommunications and IT experts.
10 unexpected benefits of serving in the Utah Army National Guard
By Sgt. Nathaniel Free | Nov. 16, 2020
The Utah Army National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Army that falls under the
1st. Sgt. Rick Hone (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Bill Bowman (right)
When You’re in Trouble, Call a First Sergeant
By Sgt. 1st Class Richard Stowell | Oct. 30, 2020
Sometimes a group needs someone who is focused on the members of the team — equipping them and paving the way for them to succeed. If your organization works in a dynamic, demanding environment, you might need to find yourself a first sergeant.
An Airman assigned to Joint Task Force Pioneer cuts branches scattered by wind at the Kaysville City Cemetery during Operation Wind Debris, September 11, 2020. Members of the Utah Training Center, Utah National Guard, participated in the operation after Governor Gary Herbert activated the task force to respond to damage caused by windstorms earlier in the week.
Joint Task Force Pioneer helps Utahns clean up wind debris
By Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell | Sept. 17, 2020
Nearly 300 members of the Utah National Guard responded to an activation order to help clean up debris caused by windstorms in Northern Utah last week.
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Your Career Starts Here

Utah National Guard prepared to assist civil authorities at the Utah Capitol
January 16, 2021
Utah National Guard sends service members for support in Washington D.C.
January 15, 2021
Utah National Guard broadens support to long-term health care facilities
January 11, 2021
Staying Connected