Features

Guard members from six states, D.C. on duty in Washington in support of local, fed authorities
August 29, 2025 — Since Aug. 12, more than 75,000 meals, which all meet the Army food program’s calorie count and dietary requirements and restrictions have been distributed to Soldiers and Airmen at duty locations throughout Washington. Providing hot meals and ensuring Guard members are billeted in safe hotels are task force priorities. ... MORE

U.S. Soldiers of the Army National Guard serve meals at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Aug. 29, 2025. Meals are served to about 2,300 National Guard members that are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission providing critical support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in ensuring the safety of all who live, work, and visit the District.

National Guard authorized to carry weapons in support of law enforcement
August 23, 2025 — WASHINGTON – U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the Commanding General (interim) of the D.C. National Guard, in support of local law enforcement agencies, gave the order for Guard members supporting Joint Task Force-DC to carry their service-issued weapons. The decision comes at the direction of the Secretary of Defense and in ... MORE

D.C. National Guard Activated to Support Law Enforcement in District of Columbia
August 23, 2025 — WASHINGTON – The District of Columbia National Guard was activated Aug. 11 to support local and federal law enforcement efforts aimed at restoring order in the District of Columbia. The activation aligns with the President’s executive order declaring a crime emergency.Currently over 1,900 Guardsmen from the D.C. National Guard, West Virginia, South... MORE

D.C. National Guard Commanding General Retires
August 10, 2025 — After more than 35 years of service, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, retired during a combined Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on August 9, 2025, at DAR Constitution Hall. Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the Adjutant General (TAG) of the D.C. National Guard, will serve as interim Commanding General until a permanent successor is announced... MORE

Kathleen Andonie accepts flowers during a combined change of command and retirement ceremony Aug. 9, 2025, at DAR Constitution Hall. Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, outgoing Commanding General (Interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, gifted his wife flowers in honor of the support she has provided during his time in service.

Change of Command Ceremony for D.C. National Guard Commanding General
August 9, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard will hold a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006 in honor of Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, who is retiring. Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II will serve as the Interim... MORE

Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie Tribute Video
August 9, 2025 — The D.C. National Guard honors U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, the Commanding General (Interim), for 35+ years of military service. We also recognize August 9, 2025, as Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie Day in the District of Columbia. Mayor Muriel Bowser honored Maj. Gen. Andonie with a proclamation recognizing his decades of distinguished service to the U.S. Army. His leadership strengthened the bond between the DC National Guard and the District, enhancing public safety, community partnerships, and emergency response. Please watch this tribute video as service members and partners discuss Maj. Gen. Andonie's commitment to build, maintain, and balance readiness objectives over the last two years... MORE

Air Force Cyber Security Officer Sworn-in as Inspector General of D.C. National Guard
August 5, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard welcomed U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Jennifer Sayers, an active-duty cyberspace operations officer, as its new State Inspector General following her recent graduation from The Inspector General School... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard’s Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim), swore in U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Jennifer Sayers as Inspector General during a ceremony on July 28, 2025, following her completion of the U.S. Army Inspector General School. The relationship between an Inspector General and their commander is rooted in integrity, trust, and confidence. Lt. Col Sayers now fills one of just nine Air Force-designated State/Territory/District Inspector General (IG) positions across the nation.

National Guard Counterdrug Program Showcases 36 Years of Impact at Congressional Open House
July 31, 2025 — National Guard Counterdrug Programs from across the nation gathered at the Longworth House Office Building July 24, 2025, for the third annual "Hill Day" event, designed to bring awareness to the program’s impact and future needs. The engagement, hosted by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), brought together members of the Counterdrug Advisory Council to highlight the program's unique whole-of-government approach that leverages National Guard capabilities and authorities to support local law enforcement nationwide... MORE

Counterdrug service members engaged congressional leaders and staff during the National Guard Counterdrug Program Open House at the Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C., July 24, 2025. Hosted by the National Guard Association of the United States, the event highlighted 36 years of impact supporting law enforcement and drug prevention efforts. Attendees included Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard and Co-Chair of the General Officer Advisory Council; Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, commanding general of the D.C. National Guard; and Brig. Gen. Richard Cipro, Assistant Adjutant General of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Interactive stations showcased the program’s five mission sets—criminal analysts, drug demand reduction outreach, ground reconnaissance, aviation reconnaissance, and counterdrug schools—offering hands-on insight into the National Guard’s whole-of-government approach.

D.C. National Guard, Jamaican, Barbadian Forces Test Skills in Joint Caribbean Exercise
July 29, 2025 — Soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica National Reserve (JNR), and Barbados Defence Force Reserves recently participated in the Caribbean Regional Training Camp (CRTC) 2025, a joint exercise aimed at bolstering regional security, enhancing disaster response capabilities, and strengthening interoperability among the participating nations. The training, which ran from July 12 to July 27, took place at various sites across Jamaica, providing a realistic and challenging environment for the troops... MORE

Soldiers from the D.C. National Guard, Barbados Defence Force Reserves, Jamaica Defence Force, and Jamaica National Reserve hone marksmanship skills at Twickenham Park Range in St. Catherine, Jamaica on July 17, 2025. As part of the Caribbean Regional Training Camp, activities included zeroing, firing from different positions, march-and-shoot practice, and a march-and-shoot competition. The District of Columbia National Guard's (DCNG) partnership with Jamaica, facilitated by the U.S. National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program (SPP), promotes security cooperation through military engagements and interagency collaboration.

D.C. National Guard Awards Minuteman Scholarship to High School Grads
July 25, 2025 — Two exceptional students were awarded the Army National Guard’s Minuteman Scholarship during a ceremony at the D.C. Armory on July 18... MORE

A representative from Lawrence Dunbar High School receives a scholarship certificate on behalf of Brooklyn Payne, a graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, during a Minuteman Scholarship ceremony at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C., on July 18, 2025. Payne received a three‑year scholarship to attend Howard University with plans to commission into the Medical Services Corps.