South Dakota National Guard’s Jeff Bathke Reflects on Duty Abroad

On Veterans Day, many Americans take a moment to honor those who have served in the military. For Jeff Bathke, a member of the South Dakota National Guard, this day means continuing his duties far from home. Currently deployed to an undisclosed location on the Arabian Peninsula, Bathke is overseeing troops at six bases across three countries, marking his third overseas deployment since joining the National Guard in 1989.

Bathke’s day will involve traveling between military installations, ensuring that soldiers under his command are supported. “It’s just another workday,” he remarked. “At some point, I’ll take a moment to reflect, but we’ll be busy checking on soldiers. For many of them, this will be their first Veterans Day deployed—and for some, the first time they’ll return home as veterans.”

From High School to Command Sergeant Major

Bathke’s military career began in high school when he enlisted as a combat engineer after being recruited by his brother-in-law. His parents signed the enlistment papers when he was just 17 years old. “I’ve always respected the military,” he stated. “Several family members served before me. I never dreamed I’d still be wearing the uniform 36 years later, and I certainly never thought I’d be a Command Sergeant Major.”

Since transferring to the Army Reserves in 2001, Bathke has balanced military responsibilities with civilian roles. He serves as the Davison County Planning and Zoning director and represents District 20 in the South Dakota House of Representatives, which includes Davison, Jerauld, and Sanborn counties, along with a portion of Miner County.

“Balancing military duties, a family, and a job is very difficult,” Bathke admitted. He noted that reservists are required to undergo the same training and preparation as active-duty soldiers, all while maintaining civilian employment. In the lead-up to his deployment, he trained extensively on weekends to minimize disruptions to his civilian responsibilities.

Challenges of Deployment and Personal Sacrifices

Despite his efforts, the demands of military service have come with significant personal sacrifices. Bathke has missed holidays and important family events, including the births of some of his children and grandchildren. “The Army has taken those days,” he said quietly. “That’s the sacrifice we pay. But my wife wouldn’t be the person she is today if she hadn’t been married to the military, and my kids wouldn’t have the work ethic they have if they hadn’t grown up in a military family.”

Since his deployment began, Bathke has faced the challenges of extreme heat and long travel while monitoring ongoing tensions in the region. The military’s focus has shifted since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, which have had a profound impact on the Middle East. “We’ve seen severe damage and extensive loss of life on both sides,” Bathke commented. “Ceasefires break, and the suffering continues. But morale among our troops remains steady. We do our best to support one another and keep an eye on those struggling, especially heading into the holidays.”

Bathke reflected on the unique challenges of spending Veterans Day overseas. He noted that the middle stretch of a deployment is often the most difficult. “The bases usually hold a few games or a 5K run to mark the day,” he explained. “But mostly, we think about family and the people who make our service possible.”

Over his 36-year career, Bathke has observed the evolution of military operations. “Most of the fighting today is done in the air,” he noted. “Troop strategies are different. I’ve learned to embrace the words ‘peace through strength.’ Our goal is to bring everyone home safe—and to leave the place better than we found it.”

Even after decades of service, Bathke is uncertain about his retirement timeline. “Maybe I’ll think more about it once I get home,” he said. For now, his focus remains on his soldiers and the belief that stability in the Middle East contributes to a safer world.

As Americans honor their veterans this Veterans Day, Bathke will continue his quiet yet impactful work in uniform, ensuring others can safely celebrate the freedoms he helps protect. “It’s just another day in the uniform,” he concluded. “But that’s what makes it matter.”