On behalf of MG Gregory C. Porter, The Adjutant General and CSM Thad S. Ehde, Command Senior Enlisted Leader:

Cowboy Guard,

The strength of the Wyoming National Guard has never been measured solely by our equipment, capabilities, or mission success. Our greatest strength is our people. Every Soldier, Airman, and Employee that serves this organization deserves to work in an environment built on trust, professionalism, dignity, and mutual respect. These values are not simply expectations; they are fundamental to who we are as a fighting force.

Let us be absolutely clear: sexual harassment and sexual assault have no place in the Wyoming Military Department. These behaviors violate our core values, undermine trust, destroy unit cohesion, and compromise our readiness. We will never tolerate misconduct that threatens the well-being of our people or the integrity of our organization. When individuals fail to uphold our standards, we will take appropriate action and hold them accountable.

We are encouraged by the results of our Fiscal Year 2026 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR), Sexual Harassment, and Command Climate Assessments. This year's findings reflect positive indicators of our organizational culture and reinforce the importance of strong leadership, personal accountability, and taking care of one another.

During FY26, there were no reported sexual assaults occurring within the reporting period. Ten individuals came forward seeking support for incidents that occurred between two and 20 years ago. While these historical incidents are deeply concerning, we are encouraged that individuals are reaching out and accessing the resources available to them. Every survivor deserves to be heard, supported, and treated with compassion, regardless of when an incident occurred.

Additionally, our Equal Employment Opportunity office did not receive any complaints of sexual harassment during FY26. Four sexual harassment commander investigations were conducted, two of which were substantiated. These cases remind us that our work is never finished. Every allegation deserves appropriate attention, every individual deserves fair treatment, and substantiated misconduct demands accountability.

Perhaps most encouraging, our Command Climate Assessments did not identify any organizational trends related to sexual harassment or sexual assault. Our strongest protective factors continue to be supportive leadership, organizational cohesion, and strong interpersonal connections. These findings speak to the positive culture our Soldiers, Airmen, civilian employees, and leaders are working to build every day.

However, we must never mistake positive statistics for permission to become complacent. One incident is one too many. The absence of reports does not necessarily mean the absence of misconduct, and our success cannot be measured by numbers alone. True success is reflected in the confidence our people have in their leadership, their willingness to speak up, and their trust that concerns will be taken seriously without fear of retaliation.

Every member of this organization has a role in protecting that trust. We expect leaders at every level to set the example, foster an environment where people feel safe raising concerns, and act decisively when standards are violated. We expect every Soldier, Airman, and Employee to look out for one another, intervene when something is wrong, and treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve.

We are a team built on a warrior mindset, shared purpose, and an unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment. Taking care of our people is not separate from readiness; it is essential to readiness. A force that trusts one another is a force that can fight, win, and answer the call when Wyoming and our nation need us most.

We are proud of the progress reflected in this year's report, and we are even more optimistic about our future. We have strong leaders, dedicated professionals, and a culture worth protecting. Together, we will continue building an organization where every individual is valued, every voice matters, and accountability is never optional.

Thank you for your service, your professionalism, and your commitment to one another. Let us continue to lead by example and make the Wyoming Military Department an organization in which every member can serve with confidence, pride, and dignity.

Ride for the Brand

Thad S. Ehde Gregory C. Porter

CSM, Wyoming National Guard Major General, Wyoming National Guard

Command Senior Enlisted Leader Adjutant Gene