NEWS | May 19, 2021

Utah National Guard Chaplain Corps commissions two officers, first female

By Sgt. 1st Class John Etheridge Utah Army National Guard

The Utah Army National Guard Chaplain Corps inducted two officers, including the first female chaplain candidate in the organization, during a commissioning ceremony at Draper, Utah, May 12, 2021.

“Getting a chaplain or chaplain candidate is a pretty big event for us. Getting two is even bigger,” said Lt. Col. Gene Whitmore, the state support chaplain. “This is a very special day for us because we have two chaplain candidates coming on board with a lot of potential. I am delighted to say welcome to the Chaplain Corps.”

During the ceremony, the history and explanation of the importance of the officer ranks was read and both candidates, Mindy Butler and Brent Black, took the oath of office and accepted their appointments in the Utah National Guard. Butler was also promoted to second lieutenant at the event.

In attendance was Maj. Gen. Michael Turley, adjutant general, Utah National Guard, Brig. Gen. Charlene Dalto, commander, Utah Army National Guard Land Component Command, and Brent and Marilyn Jones representing the endorsing office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

During her comments, the officiating officer, Dalto, congratulated and thanked the incoming officers on their commission.

“Thank you for stepping up and accepting the challenge of this awesome responsibility of leadership as you start your military career. I believe it is the noblest profession that someone can pursue in life. We expect great things to come out of the Chaplain’s Corps. You are filling a vital role in the military,” said Dalto.

After the ceremony, Whitmore explained the significance of the occasion saying that because of the long educational requirements that chaplains have to undertake, it is hard to find candidates who will complete them for a part-time National Guard position.

He also explained that diversifying the Chaplain Corps has been a priority over the last few years.

“Maj. Gen. Turley has [advocated] that we get religious and gender diversity in the Utah National Guard Chaplain Corps. We have been trying for many years to find females who were eligible to serve,” said Whitmore. “So, 40 years after the Army commissioned its first female chaplain on active duty, we finally have our first female candidate.”

Whitmore added that he was appreciative of having Dalto, the first female general officer in the Utah Army National Guard to officiate the ceremony.

“It was especially gratifying to get the first female general in the Utah Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Dalto, to be present and say a few words to our first female chaplain candidate.”

Butler explained that she is excited about being the first female in the Utah Chaplain Corps and is looking forward to serving.

“I come from a family that taught me to love the United States of America and be passionate about that. This is a way I get to serve my country’s troops,” Butler said. “I’m grateful for the role I get to play, and the perspective I get to bring.”

Your Career Starts Here

ACUB
Army Compatible Use Buffer A Valued Partnership
By | Nov. 21, 2023
The cities of Saratoga Springs and Herriman joined the Utah National Guard at a small event hosted at Camp Williams on Oct. 4, 2023. The event recognized the immense work and partnership that enabled the purchase of over 10...

Master Sgt. Justin Cordero leads a Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (resilience) class for Soldiers assigned to the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah, June 2, 2023. Cordero is a Resilience Training Assistant for the 204th. (US Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell)
Learning Optimism Is a Battle Drill Soldiers are on the for good stuff.
By | Nov. 21, 2023
Every month, they attend classes where they learn skills like optimism, self-regulation, and mental agility...

2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference EXSUM
By | Nov. 21, 2023
2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference exercise summery...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air of the Utah National Guard.
Brigadier General G. Chris Buckner Assumes Command of the Utah Air National Guard in Prestigious Ceremony
By Master Sgt. Colton Elliott | Oct. 16, 2023
In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as...

204th MEB Soldiers Get Battle Ready for Africom Deployment
By Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell | Aug. 22, 2023
 “Contact! Contact!” Soldiers yell out to each other as they begin to take simulated fire from up the hill.It was part of a week-long training event for the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah. They call...

Freedom Academy delegates perform a customized group chant at Camp Williams on the morning of July 20th, 2023. Since 1961 the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy, providing a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach high school leaders from across Utah the importance of freedom and highlight the military and governmental functions that are critical to its survival.
Utah National Guard hosts Freedom Academy 2023
By Sgt. Christine Hoskins | July 20, 2023
High school students from across the state of Utah assembled at Camp Williams for a week of learning, honing leadership skills, developing friendships, finding deeper purpose, and solidifying their understanding of freedom,...

Senior Airman Kevin Buckner (middle), fire protection with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, Utah National Guard, carries a pineapple while rucking more than six miles for the mystery event during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, May 7-11, 2023. The Best Warrior Competition is an annual Army-sponsored event designed to measure the Soldier’s physical fitness, mental acuity, and demonstrated skill in warrior tasks and battle drills. The Soldier and Noncommisioned Officer of the Year for the region will advance to the All Guard National Best Warrior Competition in Alaska.
Utah Airman keeps up with region’s top Soldiers at Best Warrior Competition
By Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack | May 12, 2023
Senior Airman Kevin Buckner, a fire protection journeyman with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, winner of the Soldier of the Year category at this year’s Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition, impressed everyone...

Educators from high schools in Salt Lake and Utah Counties were given the chance to fly high with members of the Utah National Guard as part of a centers of influence event at Camp Williams, Utah, March 16, 2023. 

Lt. Col. Toby Adamson, commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, was one of the guest speakers at the COI event that helped educators become familiar with opportunities and resources the Utah National Guard has to offer their students with programs like Freedom Academy, Minuteman Scholarship, United Families and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
Utah educators fly on Black Hawk helicopters over Salt Lake and Utah counties
By Ileen Kennedy | March 17, 2023
Educators from Salt Lake and Utah Counties were given the chance to fly high on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with members of the Utah National Guard’s 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment; and...