Regent native selected as new State Command Sergeant Major

Aug. 8—BISMARCK — Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, of the North Dakota Army National Guard, announced on Monday that Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, of Regent, N.D., has been selected as the next North Dakota state command sergeant major — the highest enlisted position in the state.

Binstock succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, who had served in the position since December 2019. Binstock will formally assume his new duties following a change of responsibility ceremony planned for this November.

Enlisting in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1991, Binstock was assigned to the 816th Engineer Support Company in Mott, N.D. after graduating from military occupational specialty Heavy Wheel Vehicle Mechanic school. By 1993 he became qualified as a Combat Engineer and was assigned to Charlie Company 141 Engineer Combat Battalion.

Binstock is currently assigned as the North Dakota National Guard's senior enlisted leader, who along with the adjutant general, serve as the command team for the joint North Dakota Army and Air National Guard headquarters. The position serves as the principal policy advisor for all joint-enlisted matters.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Binstock has been a key asset to the North Dakota. National Guard as our senior enlisted leader," Dohrmann said. "A proven leader with more than three decades of military service and experience. He has been an invaluable teammate the past three years and I look forward to working with him as our state command sergeant major."

The new position will see Binstock act as the primary senior advisor to the adjutant general and North Dakota Army National Guard commander regarding all Army National Guard enlisted matters, in addition to playing a critical part of the Army National Guard command team with Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson.

Binstock will be responsible for enforcing policies and standards of performance, training, appearance and conduct of enlisted soldiers. He also will advise senior leadership on a variety of topics, including recruiting, retention, training, resiliency, family support, community events, education and employment for the state's Army Guardsmen.

In his service, Binstock has served in leadership positions including first sergeant, as well as brigade and battalion-level command sergeant major. In 2003, he deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I'm eager to take on the responsibilities of the state command sergeant major," Binstock said. "I want to thank Maj. Gen. Dohrmann, Brig. Gen. Erickson and the entire North Dakota National Guard team for this amazing opportunity. I can't wait to lead the enlisted soldiers, advise the officers, support our Families and make a positive impact on our organization."

Binstock is a highly decorated career enlisted man having been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, four Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal — 20 year device.

He is currently employed full-time as a special agent with U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations department.