News Release

Beyond the Call: Stress & Resilience in the DC National Guard
April 8, 2025 — Serving in the DC National Guard is both an honor and a responsibility. Our mission, unity of purpose, and readiness extends both to our Nation and communities. However, the challenges faced by DC Guardsmen are unique compared to those in other states and territories, requiring a focused approach to resilience and well-being. This article outlines those specific challenges and offers strategies for managing their impact... MORE

Serving in the DC National Guard is both an honor and a responsibility. Our mission, unity of purpose, and readiness extends both to our Nation and communities. However, the challenges faced by DC Guardsmen are unique compared to those in other states and territories, requiring a focused approach to resilience and well-being.

Maj. Gen. Andonie Reviews Achievements of DC National Guard's Counterdrug Program with Metropolitan Police
April 6, 2025 — The D.C. National Guard visited the Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters' Joint Operations Command Center to participate in a briefing about the Counterdrug Program. This briefing, held with Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah and Executive Assistant Chief of Patrol Operations Andre Wright, reviewed the program's significant partnerships and achievements over the past year... MORE

Members of the DC National Guard Counterdrug Program, D.C. Army National Guard Aviation Command, and other sections participate in a strategic briefing at Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2025. They discussed the impacts and evolution of the Counterdrug Program, focusing on strengthening partnerships and enhancing community-based drug prevention initiatives.

Ms. District of Columbia Balances National Guard Service and Pageantry
April 4, 2025 — Senior Airman Trina Quirindongo, a recruiter for the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard, is proving that military service and pageantry are not mutually exclusive. Recently crowned Ms. DC, Quirindongo is using her platform to focus on real-world needs, unity, resilience, and service to the community—principles that align with Department of Defense community outreach activities... MORE

Senior Airman Trina Quirindongo, a recruiter for the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard and the reigning Ms. District of Columbia, guides an 18-year-old recruit through the enlistment process at the D.C. Air National Guard storefront recruitment office in Brandywine, Md., on March 17, 2025. Quirindongo uses her pageant platform, “Power Over Trauma,” to promote resilience and confidence while serving as an ambassador and mentor for future Air National Guard members.

2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation Signing Ceremony
April 2, 2025 — April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Sexual assault and sexual harassment erode the fabric of our National Guard, breaking the sacred trust of our nation, service members, civilians, and their families... MORE

Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, joins senior leaders of the District of Columbia Army National Guard, and 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard for a Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation Signing Ceremony at the D.C. Armory, on April 2, 2025. Sexual assault and sexual harassment erode the fabric the National Guard, breaking the sacred trust of our Nation, Service Members, Civilians, and their families. The National Guard continues to take bold actions on victim care, support, accountability, prevention, and climate and culture, so that we can eradicate sexual assault and sexual harassment once and for all.

DC National Guard Fields New Technology to Transform Soldier Processing for 60th Presidential Inauguration, Future JRSOI Operations
March 27, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard overhauled its reception and personnel accountability process, replacing outdated manual systems with modern digital solutions. Led by LTC Tyson Mele, the Joint Task Force J1, the transition dramatically improved efficiency, accuracy, and security for the thousands of inbound Guardsmen supporting the event... MORE

Service members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard, 74th Troop Command, attached to the Joint Task Force-District of Columbia (JTF-DC) return to the D.C Armory to out-processing through Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration after the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2025. Approximately 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories comprise JTF-DC to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when their predecessors escorted George Washington to the first inauguration. At the request of civil authorities, these National Guard service members provide critical support such as crowd management, traffic control points, CBRN response, civil disturbance response and sustainment operations. Their expertise and seamless collaboration with interagency partners help ensure a safe and peaceful transition of power during this historic event.

U.S. Army Master Sergeant Armando Leon Sworn In as Assistant Inspector General
March 18, 2025 — U.S. Army Master Sergeant Armando Leon was sworn in as Assistant Inspector General during a ceremony on March 9, following his completion of the U.S. Army Inspector General School. Leon is the first Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) to join the office, reflecting recent force structure reforms and a renewed command focus on readiness and care for Soldiers and Airmen... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard’s Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim), swore in U.S. Army Master Sergeant Armando Leon as Assistant Inspector General during a ceremony on March 9, following his completion of the U.S. Army Inspector General School. Leon is the first Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) to join the office, reflecting recent force structure reforms and a renewed command focus on readiness and care for Soldiers and Airmen.

257th Army Band Members Win Army Bands Reserve Component Soldier and Junior NCO of the Year
March 15, 2025 — U.S. Army Spc. Victor Souza and Sgt. Victoria Golding, members of the 257th Army Band, District of Columbia National Guard, were chosen as the Army Bands Reserve Component Soldier of the Year (Souza), and Reserve Component Junior NCO of the Year (Golding). They were chosen out of all the Reserve and National Guard Soldiers for their contributions to the unit, the organization, and the entire Army Band component for exceptional dedication, leadership, and performance throughout the year... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Victor Souza and Sgt. Victoria Golding, members of the 257th Army Band, District of Columbia National Guard, were chosen as the Army Bands Reserve Component Soldier of the Year (Souza), and Reserve Component Junior NCO of the Year (Golding) for 2024. They were chosen out of all Reserve and National Guard Soldiers for their contributions to the unit, the organization, and the entire Army Band component for exceptional dedication, leadership, and performance throughout the year.

D.C. National Guard Recruits Take on Confidence-Conditioning Obstacle Course
March 11, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) mission is to prepare recruits before they leave for Basic Combat Training (BCT). This preparation helps recruits stay focused mentally, physically, emotionally, and administratively while also familiarizing them with the terminology and protocols of Guard service... MORE

Recruits of the District of Columbia National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) participated in a confidence-conditioning obstacle course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on March 8, 2025. The Resilience Obstacle Course is designed to build soldiers confidence as they challenge themselves physically, mentally and as a team.

Soldier's Path to Strategic Deterrence in the 33rd WMD-CST
March 6, 2025 — U.S. Army Sgt. Dallas Davis, survey team member within the D.C. National Guard’s 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST), is part of a prevention and deterrence-focused support unit, safeguarding the District and nation. On March 4, the mission was the 2025 Presidential Address to a Joint Session of Congress. ... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Dallas Davis, survey team member within the District of Columbia National Guard’s 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST), stands for a photograph at a D.C. Fire and Engine Station, on Jan. 19, 2025 . Teams train and are strategically positioned to respond effectively with partners to include D.C. Fire, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police, and CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages (CERFP) units during missions.

D.C. National Guard RRB Partners with Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy to Support Local Youth
February 25, 2025 — Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith Jr., Command SEL for the D.C. National Guard, joined the Recruiting and Retention Battalion during the acclimation phase at the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy, in Laurel, Md. The engagement supports the core components of the life intervention, dropout reintegration, and General Education Development (GED) preparatory program... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith Jr., Command SEL for the D.C. National Guard, and members of the Recruitment and Retention Battalion participate in mentorship activities during the acclimation phase at the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy, in Laurel, Md., on Jan. 13, 2025. The engagement supports the core components of the life intervention, dropout reintegration, and General Education Development (GED) preparatory program.