The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) recently honored its finest at the 2025 Annual Muster, held April 5 at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation. In attendance was Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, The Adjutant General of Maryland, who presented the Maryland Meritorious Service Medal to the 2024 Soldier, Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), and Officer of the Year. This recognition reflects not only individual excellence but also the continued growth and success of the MDDF under the capable leadership of Brigadier General (MD) Gregory J. Juday.
The honorees include Sgt. (MD) Joshua Dunn, named Soldier of the Year; Sgt. 1st Class (MD) Joseph Arizaga, recognized as NCO of the Year; and 1st Lt. (MD) Michael Price, selected as Officer of the Year.
Sgt. (MD) Joshua Dunn, assigned to the MDDF personnel section, has been a steadfast contributor since joining in 2021. He plays a critical support role with the 231st Troop Command and has completed essential training such as the Basic Maryland Emergency Management Specialist course and Basic NCO Leadership Course. Widely respected for his reliability and commitment, Sgt. Dunn consistently earns the Physical Fitness Ribbon and has been awarded the Luxembourg March Medal. “He’s a dependable utility player who has never missed drill and is always ready to assist,” noted Lt. Col. (MD) John Green.
Sgt. 1st Class (MD) Joseph Arizaga, a four-year MDDF veteran, brings a wealth of musical expertise to the MDDF Band as its Drum Major. His experience with the 229th Army National Guard Band has significantly enhanced the band’s training and performance standards. In addition to leading the brass section, Sgt. Arizaga is instrumental in developing the skills and leadership qualities of his fellow band members. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Arnold Bundy praised him as “an outstanding senior NCO who has elevated the band’s readiness and professionalism.”
1st Lt. (MD) Michael Price, serving with the 256th Cyber Defense Unit (CDU), has made remarkable strides since joining the MDDF in 2020. As MDDF team captain for the State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Cyber Capture The Flag Competition, he has led the team to national prominence. Lt. Price has also been pivotal in developing the CDU’s Job Qualification Requirements and has completed advanced cyber training through the Joint Staff. A lifelong learner, he recently earned a master’s degree in intelligence and security studies from The Citadel. His leadership and dedication have drawn praise for their significant impact on both the MDDF and broader Maryland Military Department missions.
These awards highlight not only the exceptional caliber of these soldiers but also the progress the MDDF has made in recent years. Under Brig. Gen. Juday’s command, the MDDF has greatly expanded its capabilities, particularly in cyber defense, where its troops routinely augment the Maryland National Guard’s Cyber Defense Force. The MDDF’s contributions have ranged from vital pandemic response efforts during COVID-19 to collaborative emergency training missions like the June 2024 evacuation exercise on Smith Island. In that exercise, MDDF soldiers worked hand in hand with local and state agencies to improve critical emergency protocols for Maryland’s most isolated community.
Brig. Gen. Juday reflected on the honorees, saying, “There are many high performers in the MDDF, but these three deserve special recognition. They are the best of the best, and it’s an honor to serve alongside them in uniform.”
We extend our congratulations to Sgt. (MD) Joshua Dunn, Sgt. 1st Class (MD) Joseph Arizaga, and 1st Lt. (MD) Michael Price for their outstanding achievements and dedication to the Maryland Defense Force and the State of Maryland.
We’d also like to recognize Major Steven Rice for his outstanding work in Public Affairs for The Maryland Military Department.
MDDF Soldier, NCO and Officer of the Year for 2024 Recognized
The Maryland Defense Force’s (MDDF) Soldier, non-commissioned officer (NCO) and officer of the year were recognized at the MDDF Annual Muster held at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation on April 5, 2025. All three MDDF honorees were presented with the Maryland Meritorious Service Medal by Maj. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, the adjutant general of Maryland. Sgt. (MD) Joshua Dunn is the MDDF Soldier of the year, Sgt. 1st Class (MD) Joseph Arizaga is the MDDF non-commissioned officer (NCO) of the year and 1st Lt. (MD) Michael Price is the MDDF officer of the year.
Sgt. (MD) Joshua Dunn is assigned to the MDDF personnel section. As additional duties he also supports components of the 231st Troop Command as needed. Sgt. (MD) Dunn joined the MDDF in 2021 and has completed both the Basic Maryland Emergency Management Specialist course and the Basic NCO Leadership Course. He also has been awarded the Luxembourg March Medal and is consistently awarded the Physical Fitness Ribbon. “Sgt. (MD) Dunn is a great utility player who is always dependable, has never missed drill and is always willing to assist when needed,” said Lt. Col. (MD) John Green who leads the personnel section.
Sgt. 1st Class (MD) Joseph Arizaga has been a member of the MDDF for four years. “After joining the organization, he immediately volunteered to serve as the band’s Drum Major for the marching band element. His experience from performing this task with the 229th Army National Guard Band has enhanced the training of our members,” shared Chief Warrant Officer 5 Arnold Bundy who serves as the director of the MDDF Band. In addition, Bundy said, “Sgt. 1st Class Arizaga serves as group leader, equivalent to his rank, in training and managing the duties and responsibilities of the members in the brass section. He is responsible for the individual and collective training of brass players to include the development of these members into high performing non-commissioned officers. Sgt. 1st Class (MD) Arizaga has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a senior NCO.”
1st Lt. Michael Price joined the MDDF in 2020 and serves with the 256th Cyber Defense Unit (CDU) and is detailed to the Joint Staff. For the past three years, as a member of the CDU Lt. (MD) Price has served as MDDF team captain for the annual State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Cyber Capture The Flag Competition. During this stretch, the MDDF team has consistently been ranked among the top competitors nationwide. In addition, as a member of the CDU, Lt. (MD) Price worked extensively to help develop the unit’s Job Qualification Requirements. As a member of the Joint Staff, Lt. (MD) Price has completed Unclassified Processing Assessment and Dissemination (UPAD) training and completed various cyber assignments. His commitment to continuous learning led him to complete a master of arts degree in intelligence and security studies from the Citadel. “Lt. (MD) Price has really distinguished himself as a company grade officer. His service and dedication to the MDDF, the Maryland National Guard Joint Staff and multiple state agencies reflect credit upon himself, the MDDF and the Maryland Military Department,” said Lt. Col. (MD) John Green who previously served as the officer in charge for the MDDF Staff at the Joint Staff.
“There are many high performers in the MDDF who are giving back to the State of Maryland but these three deserve special recognition. They are the best of the best and it’s an honor to serve alongside them in uniform,” said Brig. Gen. (MD) Gregory J. Juday, commanding general of the MDDF.
The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer militia unit providing competent, supplementary, professional and technical support and soldiers to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland as needed. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 200 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland.
MAJ Stephen Rice
MDDF Public Affairs
Source: Maryland Defense Force
