Worrel assumes command NDNG Unit, Carrington

Capt. Chad Worrel (right)

Carrington, N.D. – The principal of Shiloh Christian’s middle and high schools, in Bismarck, has taken command of a new North Dakota Army National Guard unit based out of Carrington. The unit brings unique capabilities and adds new military occupational specialty positions to the North Dakota National Guard.

Capt. Chad Worrel, who is originally from LaMoure, North Dakota, recently took command of the 835th Utilities Detachment during an assumption of command ceremony at the North Dakota National Guard armory in Carrington. The unit, comprised of a variety of engineer Soldiers, will provide facilities engineering support in the areas of carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing and road maintenance and repair.

“The utilities detachment is a very mobile and versatile group,” Worrel said. “Most engineer units are more specific, and provide only horizontal engineer support or vertical engineer support. Since this detachment has such a broad spectrum of expertise, we are able to take on a larger variety of missions.”

Command of the unit was ceremonially presented to Worrel by Lt. Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, commander of the 231st Brigade Support Battalion, as new and experienced engineer Soldiers looked on.

“The first goal I have is to bring these Soldiers together,” Worrel said. “Many of the Soldiers are familiar with each other because of their work with other engineer units, but the unit will be gaining quite a few new Soldiers over the next couple months. I plan on being intentional about building teams, doing what I can to support squad integrity, and also helping with transitions and making people feel welcome.”

Worrel, who joined the military as an enlisted Soldier in 1998, first served with the 142nd Engineer Company out of Oakes, N.D. He deployed with the unit to Iraq in 2003, and he spent nine years as enlisted Soldier before earning a commission as an engineer officer. His first duty position as an officer was a platoon leader role with the 815th Engineer Company in Wishek, N.D.  Worrel’s most recent assignments included serving as the executive officer and then commander for the 188th Engineer Company (Vertical) out of Wahpeton, North Dakota.

“Many of these Soldiers have never seen an officer beyond basic training, I have the opportunity to instill that first impression,” Worrel said. “I’m excited to command this detachment and serve these Soldiers. It’s almost like a clean slate. We have a chance to lay the groundwork and mold how the detachment will begin to operate, what they become, and who they are.”

Outside of the military, Worrel is a principal for Shiloh Christian, a private, interdenominational school. Prior to that, he taught math and computer science at Bismarck High School for eight years and at Legacy High School for two years. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Valley City State University. Worrel lives in Menoken, N.D. with his wife, Angela, who teaches art at Horizon Middle School, and their five children.