Guardsmen Provide Health Care on Montana Reservation

FORT BELKNAP AGENCY, Mont. - Under the vast Montana sky, where horses and buffalo graze on tall prairie grass, 17 members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard Medical Detachment participated in a joint mission providing health care to the Fort Belknap Reservation community and their pets in August.

The multiday mission also involved U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7350th and 7360th Veterinary Detachments and the Minnesota Army National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing.

This was the DCARNG Medical Detachment's first participation in Operation Walking Shield Innovative Readiness Training program, a real-world mission led by the Montana Army National Guard in collaboration with the Fort Belknap Indian Health Service.

"Serving the community of the Fort Belknap Reservation was a unique and invaluable training experience both for the participating Soldiers and for the community," said Capt. Supriya Davis, U.S. Army Emergency physician.

The IRT mission adds value and reduces costs by combining military contributions with community resources. Typically, communities provide materials and essential services like facilities, while military units offer personnel and training expertise. These operations prepare forces for future missions, strengthen civil-military partnerships and enhance community resilience.

Residents of the Fort Belknap Reservation received $1.6 million worth of free services, including primary care, optometry, health exams, dental care, veterinary services, and public health education.

The service members also gained insights into the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing lifesaving medical services.

"Being part of the DCARNG, most of our service members are used to serving inner-city and metropolitan communities," Davis said. "It takes a completely different mindset and approach to treat members in a rural community."

She said the experience would help prepare medical personnel for future deployments in resource-constrained environments.

"Our mission allowed 353 additional patients to be seen in the medical, dental and optometry clinic than would otherwise have been able to be supported during our eight days of clinical operations."

Veterinarians provided wellness checks, performed spay and neutering procedures, and offered dental cleanings for over 100 cats and dogs.

Davis said serving a historically marginalized community while in uniform reinforces the importance of the Army Medicine's slogan "One Team...One Purpose! Conserving the Fight Strength Since 1775!"

"It makes me proud to wear the American flag on my shoulder," she said. "Moreover, the Native American community has a rich history of serving in the U.S. Army, a fact that was highlighted when they specially honored veterans during the opening night of the annual Hays Powwow."

The Hays Powwow is an annual cultural event held on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. It celebrates the culture, traditions and heritage of Native American communities.

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