News Release

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.

D.C. National Guard welcomes new Bilateral Affairs Officer to Jamaica
July 23, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) has appointed U.S. Army Capt. Chad Pickering as its new Bilateral Affairs Officer (BAO) to Jamaica, solidifying its long-standing partnership with the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) through the State Partnership Program (SPP). Pickering succeeds U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Lies, who recently completed a successful two-year assignment in the role... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Chad Pickering, incoming Bilateral Affairs Officer (BAO), and U.S. Capt. Aaron Lies, outgoing BAO, speak with a Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) soldier at Moneague Training Camp, St. Ann, during the Caribbean Regional Training Camp 2025, held July 12-27 across Jamaica. The District of Columbia National Guard's (DCNG) partnership with Jamaica, facilitated by the U.S. National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, promotes security cooperation through military engagements and interagency collaboration.

A Voice That Makes A Difference: The Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS)
July 21, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard's Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) annual fielding window is approaching. The DEOCS is a key tool for assessing unit morale, identifying risk factors, and guiding prevention efforts. This critical survey allows every member of our organization to provide confidential feedback on our command climate, trust in leadership, cohesion, and unit readiness. Results support the development of evidence-based action plans to improve workplace culture and mission effectiveness. And strong participation provides reliable data to help us address issues before they become barriers to readiness... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard's Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) annual fielding window is approaching. The DEOCS is a key tool for assessing unit morale, identifying risk factors, and guiding prevention efforts. This critical survey allows every member of our organization to provide confidential feedback on our command climate, trust in leadership, cohesion, and unit readiness. Results support the development of evidence-based action plans to improve workplace culture and mission effectiveness. And strong participation provides reliable data to help us address issues before they become barriers to readiness.

Why I Serve: D.C. National Guard Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Excels in Operational Relevance
July 16, 2025 — U.S. Army Spc. Massan Signon of the 104th Maintenance Company is part of a dedicated team that performs routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and recovery operations, which are vital for keeping the Army's vehicles operational and ready for deployment at a moment's notice. Their work directly impacts the ability to respond to missions and maintain its fighting capabilities... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Massan Signon, wheeled vehicle mechanic (91B) with the D.C. National Guard’s 104th Maintenance Company, stands for a photograph at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2025. Spc. Signon is part of a dedicated team that performs routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and recovery operations, which are vital for keeping the Army's vehicles operational and ready for deployment at a moment's notice. Their work directly impacts the ability to respond to missions.