News Release

D.C. National Guard Counterdrug Program supports MPD’s ‘Beat the Streets/Late Night Hype’ initiative
July 26, 2024 — The District of Columbia National Guard Counterdrug Program partners with the Metropolitan Police Department and DC Department of Parks and Recreation for "Beat the Streets/Late Night Hype" in northwest Washington, D.C. The summer outreach initiative improves community relations and supports the city’s goal toward reducing substance abuse and illicit drug activities across all wards through outreach... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard Counterdrug Program partners with the Metropolitan Police Department and DC Department of Parks and Recreation for "Beat the Streets/Late Night Hype" in northwest Washington, D.C., July 19, 2024. The summer outreach initiative improves community relations and supports the city’s goal toward reducing substance abuse and illicit drug activities across all wards through outreach.

COMMEX ensures contingent communication centers are in sync
July 21, 2024 — Just as technological advancements remain constant, the District of Columbia National Guard’s G-6 training schedule remains equally constant for both scale and scenarios. Be it the Presidential Inauguration, the State of the Union, a natural disaster or any other high-visibility operation, communication is essential no matter the location... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard’s G-6 conduct a debrief following a large-scale communications exercise (COMMEX) at the D.C. Armory, April 6, 2024. If skillsets are not tested continually, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data could be compromised by adversaries.

All-hazards approach: Full-scale weapons of mass destruction exercise tests interoperability when disaster strikes
July 17, 2024 — Weapons of mass destruction exercise bolsters interoperability with emergency response agencies, the Hawaii National Guard, and a half dozen other integrated CST teams and CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages (CERFP)... MORE

Members from the 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) attend a pre-brief during a weapons of mass destruction exercise with civilian agencies, the Hawaii National Guard, and a half dozen other integrated CST teams and CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages (CERFP). The exercise poised military and civilian response partners to better integrate capabilities when disaster strikes.

National Guard supports traffic control during NATO 75th Anniversary Summit
July 12, 2024 — Seventy-five years ago, a dozen countries from North America and Europe signed the North Atlantic Treaty to counter the threat to European security posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. On July 9-11, a NATO alliance of 32 nations reconvened in the nation’s capital, commencing their 75th anniversary and discussing collective defense,... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia National Guard and Maryland National Guard block and direct traffic at designated traffic control points in support of the Metropolitan Police Department during the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., July 11, 2024. Interoperability and coordination with federal and local partners support the success of high visibility National Special Security Events (NSSE).

Enhancing unit cohesion through DEOCS: Strategies for long-term sustainability
July 10, 2024 — The District of Columbia National Guard is utilizing the Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) to enhance unit awareness and sustainability. This initiative, primarily designed to assess organizational climate and equal opportunity, now serves as a critical tool for driving positive change within military ranks... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard is utilizing the Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) to enhance unit awareness and sustainability. This initiative, primarily designed to assess organizational climate and equal opportunity, now serves as a critical tool for driving positive change within military ranks.

D.C. National Guard supports Independence Day 2024
July 4, 2024 — Members of the District of Columbia National Guard support the Washington Metropolitan Police Department with crowd management at designated Metro stations during Independence Day activities on the National Mall, July 4, 2024. Service members also provided directions, answered questions, or simply acknowledged appreciation from celebration attendees... MORE

D.C. National Guard welcomes 2024 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP)
June 30, 2024 — Participants of the 2024 Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program attend orientation at the D.C. Armory, June 26. Comprised of young adults age 18-21, participants gain exposure in approx. a dozen work-centers within the D.C. National Guard and D.C. Government Operations-DCNG until Aug. 2. Orientation day included meetings with Marcus Hunt, director, D.C. Government Operations-DCNG, and Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (interim), D.C. National Guard. Participants also received a tour of the D.C. National Guard Museum highlighting 222-years of service to the nation and District... MORE

Participants of the 2024 Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program attend orientation at the D.C. Armory, June 26. The cohort, comprised of young adults age 18-21, will gain exposure in approx. a dozen work-centers within the D.C. National Guard and D.C. Government Operations-DCNG until Aug. 2. Orientation day included meetings with Marcus Hunt, director, D.C. Government Operations-DCNG, and Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (interim), D.C. National Guard. Participants also received a tour of the D.C. National Guard Museum highlighting 222-years of service to the nation and District.

CGYCA hosts Battle of the Beltway
June 21, 2024 — Cadets embraced the importance of teamwork and competition during Battle of the Beltway, June 18, at the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA) in Laurel, Md. Teams representing the Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy and the CGYCA competed in five activities for a title and bragging rights... MORE

Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA) and Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy cadets compete in Battle of the Beltway, in Laurel, Md., June 18, 2024. Cadets competed against each other in five categories to include an obstacle course, drill and ceremony, basketball, kickball, and physical fitness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)

Model Citizen Soldier: D.C. National Guard swears-in new State Deputy Inspector General
June 13, 2024 — The District of Columbia National Guard’s Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, commanding general (interim), swore in Lt. Col. Nushat Thomas as deputy Inspector General in a ceremony June 8, after completing U.S. Army Inspector General School. Her experience as a traditional National Guard soldier, and equally successful careers in the nonprofit sector and EPA makes her uniquely qualified to understand the issues that affect our formations... MORE

The D.C. National Guard's Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, commanding general (interim), swears in Lt. Col. Nushat Thomas as the new deputy inspector general at the D.C. Armory on June 8, 2024. Thomas assumed the position following the retirement of Lt. Col. Tera Powell in early spring 2024 after 24 years of service.

DEOCS inputs in action: Introducing the D.C. National Guard CIPP
June 7, 2024 — The Comprehensive Integrated Prevention Plan (CIPP) is the D.C. National Guard's strategic plan to influence the climate of the organization and its members. Over the next six to nine months, the Integrated Resilience Operations (IRO) team will work on shared solutions to better assess and act on climate risk factors and DEOCS trends. The goal is to reinforce positive actions and keep members engaged... MORE

The Comprehensive Integrated Prevention Plan (CIPP) is the D.C. National Guard's strategic plan to influence the climate of the organization and its members. Over the next six to nine months, the Integrated Resilience Operations (IRO) team will work on shared solutions to better assess and act on climate risk factors and DEOCS trends. The goal is to reinforce positive actions and keep members engaged.