Features

D.C. National Guard’s O’Neill Competition Commemorates D-Day Heroism and Warrior Ethos
June 6, 2025 — Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed more participants through a multi-level series of challenging military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed more than 250 participants through a grueling day of military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944.

DCNG Tuition Assistance (TA) and Mission Success
June 3, 2025 — Military leaders at every level must be multifaceted to complete the mission. Education is a paramount aspect of leader development. The DC Tuition Assistance program provides Soldiers and Airmen the opportunity to better themselves through formal education and certification programs. In celebration of graduation season, we spoke with recent graduates who made the most out of the benefit... MORE

Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) for the D.C. National Guard; Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the Adjutant General for the D.C. National Guard, and Master Sgt. Arthur Mondale Wright, State Public Affairs Officer, stand for a photograph at the D.C. Armory, in Washington D.C., on May 21, 2025. Master Sgt. Wright earned his Master of Public Administration with the assistance of the District of Columbia National Guard Tuition Assistance Program.

Choose Wisely, Arrive Safely: Privately Owned Motor Vehicle Safety
May 30, 2025 — The mission of the District of Columbia National Guard’s Safety Office is to enhance workplace and home safety and health to maintain mission effectiveness, optimize readiness, morale, and well-being. To prevent accidents and injuries during the peak travel season, MAJ Omar C. Gobourne, State Safety Manager discusses safety tips for service members when operating their personal cars and/or motorcycles. Privately owned two-wheel and four-wheel mishaps account for the largest loss of life for service members, on and off duty... MORE

DC National Guard Soldiers Lead Military Intelligence Exercises During African Lion
May 28, 2025 — Four soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard’s 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion returned home after supporting African Lion, the largest annual joint force military exercise held in Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise involved more than 50 nations and seven NATO allies... MORE

U.S. Marines and Soldiers from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces pose for a group photo while F16 fighter jets pass overhead at Cap Draa during African Lion 25 (AL25) in Tan-Tan, Morocco, May 23, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.

Investing in our community, investing in our people: The DC National Guard-employer partnership
May 27, 2025 — Employers who support National Guard and Reserve members are crucial for maintaining readiness and a deployable military force. That is why Dr. Christine Going, senior advisor for the VA's Food Security Office, was recognized with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award for her support to an employee balancing duty as a D.C. Air National Guard member and Veterans Health Administration executive officer... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jason M. Melton, PA superintendent, Headquarters District of Columbia Air National Guard (HQ/DCANG-PA), and Dr. Christine Going, senior advisor for the VA's Food Security Office, stand for a photograph during a ceremony at the D.C. Armory, on Oct. 20, 2024. Recently, Dr. Going was recognized with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award for her support to the organization. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support Citizen Airmen and Soldiers through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

D.C. National Guard Supports Pregame Ceremony During National Guard Day 2025 at Nationals Park
May 23, 2025 — Members of the District of Columbia National Guard joined the Maryland National Guard and National Guard Bureau (NGB) for National Guard Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 22, 2025. As part of the team’s Branch Appreciation Days, the game is dedicated to honor and celebrate the six branches of the military and the National Guard. At each of these games, representatives from the branch will participate in the pregame ceremony and the Salute to Service. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)... MORE

'Run to Recruit' Strengthens Mind, Body, and Manpower
May 21, 2025 — Every Airman is a recruiter, and if you’re a member of the 113th Force Support Squadron, D.C. Air National Guard, you own it. To effectively reach military candidates, members of the 113th FSS use group physical fitness as a method to inspire, engage and recruit future Capital Guardians... MORE

Members of the 113th Force Support Squadron, D.C. Air National Guard, participate in an initiative called 'Run to Recruit' on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2025. In an effort to support recruiting mission, members of the 113th FSS use group physical fitness as a method to inspire, engage and recruit future Capital Guardians.

Region II Best Warrior 2025 highlights
May 10, 2025 — U.S. Soldiers competing in the Region II Best Warrior Competition test their fitness and essential Soldier skills during various events at Fort Indiantown Gap and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, May 5-9, 2025. These competing Soldiers came from the Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia National Guards. The D.C. Army National Guard's Sgt. Jherrica R. Steiner and Spc. Marcel A. Virachittevin were part of a dozen competitors representing 30,923 Soldiers during the competition. It tested a wide range of physical, mental, and tactical skills, and recognizes Soldiers who embody the Warrior Ethos... MORE

D.C. Air National Guard Civil Engineers Bolster Readiness Through Community Engagement at Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy
May 8, 2025 — he D.C. Air National Guard’s 113th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron showcased their penchant for efficiency and community-building at the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA). The hands-on project not only offered vital Administrative Building upgrades, but also skills development. Civil engineers maintain the infrastructure for military operations ensuring they’re functional and resilient in various operational environments. ... MORE

Members of the D.C. Air National Guard’s 113th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) conduct HVAC diagnostics and repair, LED lighting installation, plumbing fixture placement, and electrical rewiring at the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA), in Laurel, MD, on April 12, 2025. The hands-on April 7-19 project not only offered vital Administrative Building upgrades, but also skills development. Civil engineers maintain the infrastructure for military operations ensuring they’re functional, relevant, efficient, and resilient in various operational environments.

D.C. National Guard 223rd Birthday Message
May 2, 2025 — On May 3, we celebrate the 223rd Birthday of the District of Columbia National Guard. This drill weekend should serve as a reminder of a tradition that links us to D.C. Militia members who wore the uniform before us—heritage rooted in courage, discipline, loyalty, perseverance, respect, trust, and adaptability. Like the early patriots of 1802 who... MORE