Episode Details

In this special Year in Review episode (recorded late 2025), retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with the Minnesota National Guard’s command team:

• Major General Shawn Manke, Adjutant General
• Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Rost, Command Senior Enlisted Leader

They discuss leadership dynamics, 2025 accomplishments, domestic and international missions, and exciting plans for 2026.

Key Highlights from 2025

• Force growth and high readiness levels (nearly 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen strong)
• Domestic support: Wildfire response on the North Shore and cyber assistance in St. Paul
• International partnerships: Deepened ties with Croatia (29 years) and Norway (including the 52nd troop exchange)

Looking Ahead to 2026

• 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX) in February
• 30th anniversary celebrations with Croatia, including joint training
• Upcoming deployments and returns (e.g., 34th MP Company, 148th Fighter Wing)
• Modernization: New C-130J aircraft arriving for the 133rd Airlift Wing
• New facilities opening, including the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum

The leaders emphasized trust, community connections (“We live here, we work here, we serve here”), and pride in the Guard’s motto: Always Ready, Always There