Florida National Guard Battalion Performs First Minuteman Rotation

April 2, 2026 | By Army Lt. Col. Carla Raisler, Army National Guard |

Soldiers assigned to the Florida Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, trained alongside the 82nd Airborne Division during a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana, March 15-20. 

The training marked the first time a guard unit has integrated into an active-duty JRTC rotation under the National Guard's new minuteman rotation concept. 

The concept aligns National Guard annual training with JRTC rotations, allowing units to meet their 15-day requirement while operating alongside active-duty formations. Army National Guard leaders say the approach boosts readiness and interoperability across the total force. 
 
Several senior leaders visited the rotation March 19-20, highlighting the expansion of opportunities for guard units to train in high-intensity environments. 

"This is about building a total force that can close with and destroy the enemy," said Army Lt. Gen. Jon M. Stubbs, Army National Guard director. "What we are seeing here is a National Guard battalion fully integrated with an active-duty brigade, delivering a capability that is critical on today's battlefield." 

At JRTC, often referred to as "the box," units contend with a near-peer opponent, limited resources and extended operations. This environment tests a unit's ability to operate under stress while maintaining command and control across dispersed terrain. 
 
The guard battalion delivered short-range air defense capabilities focusing on countering unmanned aerial systems and low-altitude threats. Soldiers employed AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar and AN/TWQ-1 Avenger air defense systems while repositioning with maneuver elements to protect command posts, logistics hubs and key terrain. 

A group of soldiers moved with the brigade, while the battalion headquarters operated as a division-level air defense element in a simulated environment. Senior leaders said the integration allowed the unit to train as it would fight in a real-world conflict. 
 
Army Lt. Col. Adam Bailey, commander of the 3rd Battalion, said the unit prepared for the rotation through multiple command post exercises with the 82nd Airborne Division before arriving at the training center. 

"Coming to JRTC, we rapidly integrated into [the] division's scheme of maneuver and protection plan. That enabled us to execute a true short-range air defense mission in support of a division," Bailey said. 
 
The brigade's dispersed operations exposed it to more aerial threats, especially small drones that disrupt command and control or target sustainment operations. 
 
Army Col. Daniel Leard, 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander, said the guard unit filled a critical capability gap. 

"Air defense is a critical enabler — we could not have executed our mission without them," Leard said. "The soldiers of [the National Guard battalion] integrated with our team on the fly. They were experts on their systems and that made an immediate impact." 
 
In addition to aligning training, the minuteman rotation enables units to build readiness in a high-intensity environment alongside active-duty forces. 
 
Army Command Sgt. Maj. James Kendrick, who previously served as the command sergeant major of the Florida National Guard, said the training reflects how the force will operate in future conflicts. 
 
"This is exactly where our soldiers need to be," Kendrick said. "Training at this level, with this kind of realism, ensures they are ready to deploy and fight as part of a larger team." 
 
The approach does not replace traditional Army National Guard rotations but expands access to advanced training while supporting soldiers' civilian careers, education and communities. Stubbs said the goal is to integrate a guard element into every JRTC rotation. 
 
For junior soldiers, the experience highlighted the pace and complexity of modern warfare. 
 
"You see how everything connects," said Army Sgt. Jason Dumervile, Florida National Guard. "We are not just protecting ourselves — we are protecting the whole brigade so they can accomplish their mission." 

Florida National Guard leaders say the battalion's performance demonstrates the value of integrating guard units into active-duty training environments as the Army adapts to evolving threats. 
 
"I'm incredibly proud of our Florida guardsmen," said Army Maj. Gen. John D. Haas, Florida adjutant general. "They're highly disciplined and have benefitted from great leadership to ensure they're trained and ready."

Face of Defense: A Guardian's Story, From Home to the Tactical Edge

April 1, 2026 | By John Ayre, Space Force Combat Forces Command |

For Space Force Tech. Sgt. Alaowei W. Monibidor, the call to deploy came with little warning. In just two weeks, he would leave his home in Maryland for a six-month tour in a location he could not be told over the phone. Yet his answer was an immediate "yes."

Space Force Tech. Sgt. Alaowei W. Monibidor

Job: Mission Readiness Section Chief

Stationed: Fort Meade, Md.

Unit: Detachment 2, 53rd Space Operations Squadron, Space Delta 8

This rapid departure and the high-stakes mission that followed underscore the agility and commitment of Space Force guardians and the families who support them. 

As the mission readiness section chief for Detachment 2, 53rd Space Operations Squadron, Space Delta 8, Monibidor's job isn't on the front lines of satellite control. 

"Instead, my primary focus is proactive: ensuring the squadron's personnel are flawlessly trained and ready to perform their mission 24/7," Monibidor explained. 

His deployment, however, would take him to the tactical edge of space operations, supporting joint and coalition partners across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. 

Family Resilience

The decision to volunteer for a short-notice deployment was made possible by a crucial conversation he and his wife had months earlier.  

"I sought her support to accept a future deployment opportunity, and despite the anticipated challenges, she affirmed her understanding of the demands of my career path," Monibidor shared. "Her agreement was vital, as I believe deeply in confronting these professional realities as a united front." 

That unity was tested by the pace of his departure. 

"This deployment came with unexpected swiftness," Monibidor said. "This meant immediate cancellations and an abrupt shift for everyone. The final two weeks of preparation were mentally draining, but seeing my family's resilience made all the difference." 

The untold story of military families, Monibidor emphasized, is one of unseen resilience. "The family runs its own parallel mission at home. Their strength is the silent, uncelebrated foundation of our own." 

Critical Missions

His deployment saw him providing critical space electronic warfare command and control to four combatant commands, a role that shifted dramatically depending on the region. Supporting NATO and U.S. European Command involved collective defense within a formal alliance, a stark contrast to missions in the more volatile U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. 

"It was a fundamental pivot from deterring a peer adversary to actively countering violent extremist organizations and state-sponsored aggression," Monibidor noted. 

A highlight of his time supporting NATO-Eucom was his involvement in a special operations forces exercise, the highest level of strategic military simulation. 

"My role was to provide the commanders and their staff with missile threat warning[s] and options for space electronic warfare command and control against a near-peer adversary," Monibidor said.  

This experience was vital in preparing for the real-world crises he would face in Centcom's area of operations. In the Middle East, his space electronic warfare command and control, or SEW C2, support was paramount. 

"My support for SEW C2 revolved around maintaining friendly access to and superiority in the space domain, while denying or degrading the adversary's ability to use space for their operations," he explained. 

This became critically important during Operation Midnight Hammer, a complex joint operation aimed at degrading Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities. 

"I coordinated directly with [U.S. Space Forces – Central] to synchronize the electronic warfare effects of 11 joint units, delivering unified effects for the commander of U.S. Central Command, directly enabling the strike force to penetrate Iran's contested airspace, precisely destroy its targets and return safely," Monibidor recounted. "Trust was built when leaders saw a consistent pattern. I learned to provide them with precisely what they needed to make difficult decisions." 

A Strategic Expert

Guardians like Monibidor are a decisive advantage, said Space Force Master Sgt. Austin Adams, 53rd Space Operations Squadron training superintendent and Monibidor's frontline supervisor. "Space is a complex, technical domain, and he excels in the bridge between joint and coalition partners. His strategic thinking allows him to translate our sophisticated space capabilities into understandable, synchronized effects for our partners. Having an expert like him on the front lines is mission-essential for modern, integrated warfare." 

Reflecting on his deployment, Monibidor is proud of both his professional and personal accomplishments. Professionally, he is proud of "using our capabilities to directly protect the U.S and its coalition partners from a real-world threat, proving our worth at the tactical edge." 

But his greatest pride lies with his family. "Their stability at home is the bedrock that allows me to do my job, and that is my greatest accomplishment," he said. 

This deployment served as a powerful reminder of the Space Force's integral role in modern warfare. 

"This deployment proves that space isn't a separate or future battlefield; it's integral to every joint operation happening right now," Monibidor asserted. 

Being a guardian at the tactical edge, Monibidor concluded, "means being the final link, translating our nation's strategic space assets into tangible combat effects for soldiers, pilots and sailors on the ground. At the edge, space superiority isn't a concept; it's the daily, hands-on mission of ensuring our joint and coalition partners can fight and win."

Department of War Annual Recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

April 2, 2026 |

The Department of War recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month as part of its ongoing efforts to counter sexual assault in the Total Force.

"Sexual assault is unacceptable, period, and has no place in our military. It is contrary to our institutional values, the warrior ethos, and our overall readiness," said Anthony J. Tata, under secretary of war for personnel and readiness, adding that, "Awareness, prevention, and support are a shared responsibility. We expect every member of the Department of War community to help root out harmful behaviors, maintain standards, and continue to drive necessary change throughout the force."

Eliminating sexual assault in the military requires unwavering, year-round commitment. The ongoing DoW sexual assault awareness and prevention campaign, "STEP FORWARD: Prevent. Report. Advocate," calls on the Total Force to confront and counter harmful behaviors, provide victim assistance, and strengthen command climates.

"The warrior ethos demands integrity, honor, and courage — on and off the battlefield. Sexual assault violates every one of those values," said Dr. Nate Galbreath, director of the Department's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. "To Step Forward is to live up to those expectations. It means having the integrity to intervene, the courage to seek help, and the honor to create a climate of dignity and respect. Those standards build a lethal force where every warfighter is safe, respected, and ready for the fight."

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the Safe Helpline at (877) 995-5247 or SafeHelpline.org/live-chat for anonymous, 24/7, one-on-one support.

More information can be found on the SAPRO website at https://www.sapr.mil/saapm.

3rd Special Forces Group Pioneers Transformation for Multidomain Operations

April 1, 2026 | By Army Maj. Justin Zwick, 3rd Special Forces Group |

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and evolving warfare, special operations stands at the forefront of transformation. As the Army adapts to the pressing demands of a battlefield plagued with changing threats, 3rd Special Forces Group is spearheading a significant transformation.

In an invigorated effort to enable multidomain operations, 3rd Special Forces Group is transforming its legacy military intelligence company into a robust multidomain operations company. The move not only enhances the capabilities of special operations but also aligns with the broader initiative to foster interdependence, interoperability and integration across the force.

The transition to a multidomain company is just a small part of a comprehensive transformation strategy aligned with the Army's modernization efforts. The new structure consolidates the group's intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities under a single company, highlighting the significance of this shift in operational capabilities. 

As battalions across the formation use their forces to meet strategic-level objectives, the newly structured company is taking on an increased responsibility for the training and readiness of signals intelligence and electronic warfare soldiers within the formation.

"One of the key initiatives that we have done is assumed responsibility of the advanced collection training team, which is helping to facilitate a streamlined training glidepath for the group's [signals intelligence] and [electronic warfare] assets," said Army Capt. Andrew Reynolds, multidomain operations company commander.

As the company adjusts to its new role in the group, it is returning to foundational intelligence practices, drawing on insights from 1980s doctrine.

"We are analyzing current [geopolitical] events, like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the large-scale military drills in China, and applying decades-old doctrine to better understand how we can effectively counter near-peer threats during large-scale combat operations," Reynolds explained as he emphasized the impacts of preparing soldiers for the complexities of modern warfare.

Despite ongoing advancements and an overall transformation of warfighting systems, the company is still developing new solutions to mitigate the challenges of integrating intelligence capabilities with the conventional force and joint partners.  

"We are working to identify solutions to efficiently and effectively support the targeting process with real-time data," Reynolds said. "The networks and systems we use do not always 'talk' to one another, leading our soldiers to use slow and outdated techniques to feed targeting."

To enhance collaboration and integration practices across the force, Reynolds and his company are engaging with Army corps-level commands to execute comprehensive training that tests the company's systems and capabilities. In line with Army transformation efforts, the formation is exploring the application of future artificial intelligence to feed joint systems, enhancing data analysis and streamlining the targeting process across the joint force.

Meeting the Army's growing demands requires innovation, adaptability and realistic training. To meet these demands, the company is executing certification, validation and verification training events to ensure the formation's readiness for deployment in support of large-scale combat and stability operations.

At higher command levels, the company is curating training and an operational support model that meets the unique demands of unconventional warfare in a contemporary warfare environment.

While the special operations enterprise is transforming at an unprecedented rate to meet the growing demands of warfare, no transformation is equal to it. The 3rd Special Forces Group's tailored approach not only meets the unit's unique needs but also reinforces the holistic objectives of multidomain operations.

Through this transformation, the multidomain operations company is positioning itself to lead the way in innovative intelligence solutions, ensuring the joint force is prepared to face future challenges.