Photography by Rachel Conner and courtesy of James Drayton.
In 2020, James Drayton was inspired to help those in the uniformed service through tough times.
He hoped to build an organization through what he called a “grass-roots movement,” which would meet once a year for a competition between military and law enforcement and provide year-round support for these communities.
Thus was born Arctic Guardian, an organization that provides training opportunities to current and former members of the U.S. military, police forces and other government organizations.
Drayton has his own experience in the military. He served in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1995, honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, Promotable.
Drayton said he served in times of war, such as Desert Storm and the Panama Invasion. According to Arctic Guardian's website, he was an “Active-Duty soldier serving in the 101st Airborne Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment.”
After his time in the military, he earned a degree in business administration, later on deciding to join the police force as a “Peace Officer for Merced County in California, serving on the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET)”.
Through his experience in both fields — his degree and civilian work experience in business — Drayton was able to build a nonprofit organization for the purpose of helping those that he saw as needing training, equipment, and support not being fulfilled by their units or stations.
Drayton said that the “Defund the Police movement” was one of many reasons why he wanted to help military and law enforcement receive training outside of work. He believes that the key to a functioning unit and organization is only as good as the training provided to the “boots on the ground.”
In 2020, Arctic Guardian held its first major event with 13 teams from 11 units across law enforcement, military and other government agencies.
This year the competition will be held in Talkeetna, Alaska, on June 17. There will be an annual meeting, followed by focus groups and committee workshops that assist commanders and leaders with individual coaching for certain training topics.
Staff, instructors, and teachers alike are brought in from outside organizations to donate their time and supplies. Afterwards is the Marksmanship Competition.
As of May 1st, there are 62 competitors from various organizations, including Army, Air Force, Anchorage FBI, Anchorage Police, Alaska State Troopers, Honolulu FBI, and 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment
Following the competition there will be an award ceremony. Awards given to every competitor. Even those that may not rank highest still earn an award for their commitment and support of the organization.
Drayton said that, “the awards and trophy representation are a crucial time for the participants to socialize and network.”
This year, lunch and dinner will be provided free of charge from the Pizza Bear Paw Brewery and the Sheep Creek Lodge.
Arctic Guardian also offers other training opportunities. The organization was gifted with 16 slots to Hat Creek Training, a high-angle, long-range precision rifle course in Riggins, Idaho next year; the 16 people chosen to attend this course were selected by a committee. Those who attend, will learn tactical training that generally would not be available to them in normal work circumstances.
From the Arctic Guardian Website, the organization works to ”support the uniformed services of Alaska by funding equipment and training that would otherwise be cut from the operational plan due to fiscal restraints …Once a need has been identified Arctic Guardian works diligently with civilians and companies across Alaska that want to ensure those who are called on in times of conflict and crisis; are well trained, equipped and supported.”
Drayton said the cost and time to create Arctic Guardians was immense. Primarily helping have been Drayton’s wife, Julie and their son, Atticus, who has been by his side from the beginning. Helping Drayton are the Arctic Guardian’s Board of Directors: Matt Deluca, the board president, James Lewis, Treasurer, and Rachael Kidwell, Secretary.
The organization made no money through the first few years, funded entirely by Drayton. He said that through the years, it grew as many people saw the opportunity to invest in the future of America’s leaders. To date, more than $100,000 has been donated to the organization and many individuals have given their resources, supplies, training and time.
The Arctic Guardian's Mission Statement is “to proactively support those who we, as a society, rely on to be our best when the situation is at its worst.'' Drayton's goal for Arctic Guardian in years to come is to expand events in other states such as Texas, Midwest, and more, creating a nationwide movement of support towards Military and Law enforcement.
This event is not for civilians; Arctic Guardian is meant to be a haven for soldiers, and officers, to train on their own time to strengthen weaknesses in their training.
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