Washington Military Department 101 Brief
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The Washington Military Department's mission is to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, environment and the economy of Washington State by providing trained and ready forces for state and federal missions. The department also provides structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.
Captain Joseph Siemandel assumed Command of B Co (G2X) 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, 56th Information Operations Group on July 23, 2016 after serving as the Intelligence Officer S2 for 96th Troop Command.] CPT Siemandel joined the Washington National Guard as a 12B Combat Engineer in Dec 2002, completed training in October 2003 and was assigned to C Co 898th Engineer Battalion in Bellingham, WA. He deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2004-2005 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and upon returning home return to Central Washington University where he graduated Army ROTC and was commissioned as an Military Intelligence Officer in 2008.
His first duty assignment was to A Co. 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, 96th Troop Command, from August 2008 until October 2013. He served as a Tactical Intelligence Officer, Human Intelligence Platoon Leader, Counterintelligence Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in Alpha Company.After serving as the Executive Officer at A Co. 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, CPT Siemandel assumed command of D Co 898th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Military Intelligence Company, 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team on Oct 18, 2013.
CPT Siemandel’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Components Achievement Medal (w/ 4 OLC), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device and Bronze Hourglass, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Washington National Guard Emergency Response Ribbon ( w/ 1 OLC) and Washington National Guard Good Conduct Medal (w/ 2 OLC).
CPT Siemandel is also a graduate of the Defense Information School’s Public Affairs Qualification Course and works as the Full-time State Public Affairs Officer for the Washington National Guard.He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Central Washington University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Ashford University and resides in Ellensburg, WA.