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Work and play, the Air National Guard way

Air National Guard offers excellent opportunity

Submitted Photo Theo Toliver, Minot, says being a member of the Air National Guard provides him rewarding work and ample time to devote to family and other activities.

It couldn’t have worked out better for Theo Toliver. He has a meaningful and rewarding job that allows him plenty of time to pursue other interests.

Toliver is a member of the 219th Security Forces Squadron of the Air National Guard in Minot. A typical work schedule is four to five consecutive days on mission, or at work, and then four consecutive days off. It is an ideal schedule for the outdoors-minded Toliver.

“I get all that time to do whatever I want,” said Toliver with a convincing smile. “I can go fishing or hunting for a couple of days. There’s lots of time to do that. Another thing, the National Guard really focuses on your family.”

Work. Family. Fun. It’s a great combination that is offered through service in the Air National Guard.

“Thank goodness for the Air National Guard,” said Toliver. “The people are great. They are really family oriented. They take care of their people.”

Submitted Photo Members of the 219th Security Forces Squadron of the Air National Guard fulfill a variety of duties alongside active military and at the request of the Governor.

Toliver’s wife and four children reside in Minot.

“I’m from Las Vegas but I love this place,” said Toliver. “I came back here by choice.”

Toliver’s first experience with Minot came in 2001 when, as a member of the U.S. Air Force, he was transferred from Las Vegas to Minot. He left in 2005, served for a time in Korea and returned to Minot in 2010. Essentially, he went from an active duty career in the Air Force that spanned 13 years to the Air National Guard. It was a seamless transition. He is a member of the 219th SFS, a detachment of the 119th wing in Fargo. The unit’s primary responsibility is to provide security for nuclear missiles.

“I worked in the missile field before so it is kind of what I am doing now,” said Toliver. “The only difference is I respond to local disasters, like flood duties around the state and the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. If something happens in the state, that comes first.”

Among the many benefits of serving in the Air National Guard is 100 percent tuition assistance to any state college or university, inexpensive healthcare and an excellent retirement pension. In Toliver’s case, he also enjoys the benefits of having a schedule that allows him ample family time and an opportunity to enjoy one of his greatest passions – fishing.

“Without a doubt,” replied Toliver when asked if he spends any free time with a fishing rod in his hand. “I love fishing. I’ve been fishing my whole life. I was a bass fisherman in Vegas. When I came up here a buddy showed me about walleye fishing and I’ve been addicted ever since.”

Other people have noticed. Toliver has acquired several sponsors that back his fishing exploits. It’s all possible, he says, because of a very accommodating schedule provided by serving in the Air National Guard.

“We work and play a lot,” explained Toliver. “All my hunting and fishing buddies are National Guard buddies. We share the same hobbies. It’s a great schedule. We’re military but it’s like a regular job. We’re on a first name basis. I tell guys that are thinking about the Guard that they don’t have to give up their life on the outside.”

The 219th includes both full-time and part-time Airmen. Part-timers train one weekend a month and 15 days per year, the latter in the field alongside full-time members. Some training takes place at Camp Grafton which is located on the shores of Devils Lake, one of the top fisheries in North Dakota. That assignment suits Toliver and others just fine.

“We train for eight hours out of the day,” said Toliver. “I get off work about four o’clock, grab some buddies and bait, and 50 yards from where we are staying we go fishing.”

Not bad. Not bad at all. Work and play, the Air National Guard way.

For further information on the Air National Guard contact Master Sergeant Greg Peterson of the 219th SFS at 723-3276.

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