National Guard Association of North Dakota

03/07/2026

The Roughrider Award - Our Highest Honor

Presented to an individual who has given back to not only their respective association but has put in the time and effort to better both organizations, therefore impacting the lives of Guardsmen, both Officers and Enlisted.

Lt Col (Ret) Brent Ehrichs, 2025 Roughrider Award

For Nearly a decade, Lt Col Brent Ehrichs served as the Executive Director for the National Guard Association of North Dakota prior to turning over his duties in 2012. During his tenure, Lt Col Ehrichs was instrumental in advocating for all North Dakota National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and Retirees. For his dedication to both the National Guard Association of North Dakota and the National Guard Association of the United States, Brent was awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 2011. Brent passed away May 18, 2023, but will always be remembered for his contributions to both the North Dakota Air National Guard and the National Guard Association of North Dakota.

Thank you to Lt Col (Ret) Brent Ehrichs' wife, Renai and son Matt for accepting this award on his behalf.

03/02/2026

The Roughrider Award - Our Highest Honor

Presented to an individual who has given back to not only their respective association but has put in the time and effort to better both organizations, therefore impacting the lives of Guardsmen, both Officers and Enlisted.

Congratulations to CSM (Ret) Eric Binstock for taking home The Roughrider Award (2024).

Enlisting in the North Dakota Army national Guard in 1991, CSM Binstock was initially assigned to the 816th Engineer Support Company in Mott, ND. He served in several leadership positions prior to his promotion to Command Sergeant Major. In 2003, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2022, CSM Binstock was selected as the North Dakota State Command Sergeant Major. As the principal policy advisor for all joint-enlisted, CSM Binstock advocated for key initiatives supporting Soldiers and Airmen. He has been a long-time member and supporter of both NDNGEA and NGAND.

02/26/2026

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Haugen was honored with a Quilt of Valor by Red River Quilts of Valor at the North Dakota Roughrider Association Annual Conference on February 20 in Fargo. Based out of Wahpeton and consisting of 13 volunteers, Red River Quilts of Honor creates custom quilts for nominated Veterans. We will be posting more information on how to nominate a Veteran on our website soon. Congrats to General Haugen.

02/23/2026

01/15/2026

We are 5 weeks away from very possibly our biggest Roughrider Conference yet. Get your registration in today, and remember your first year is free! There are still rooms available, but filling quickly. See you there!

The Roughrider Conference is now open for registration! Being held at Drekker Brewing Co. - Brewhalla with Sam Mackey as our Professional Development speaker- this is not a year you will want to miss. See you in February.

01/10/2026

12/30/2025

The North Dakota National Guard Enlisted Association and National Guard Association of North Dakota have established a Roughrider Society Scholarship Program. The following persons are eligible:

1. Sons and daughters of Active and Life NDNGEA and NGAND members.
2. Spouses of Active and Life NDNGEA and NGAND members.
3. Sons, daughters, and spouses of deceased NDNGEA and NGAND members who were in good standing at the time of their death.

Important Change: Cash scholarships will be awarded directly to the winners in amounts from $500 to $2500 available for the 2026/27 academic year. Applicants must be enrolled as students at a graduate school, college, university, trade or business school. Enrollment will be verified prior to the disbursement of funds.

Completed applications are due via email to [email protected] by the deadline of 31 Jan 2026.

Find more information at https://ngand.org/ including the application form.