WASHINGTON –
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. She replaces Lt. Col. Tera Powell who retired following 24 years of faithful service in the National Guard.
“We place special trust with Inspectors General to ensure that we are doing the right things, the right way, and maintaining a readiness posture fit to serve the Army,” said Maj. Gen. Andonie during Thomas’ appointment.
Lt. Col. Thomas’ oath of office as an IG affirmed the special obligations and responsibilities of the position and the core values of the U.S. Army. Prior to this role, Lt. Col. Thomas served in multiple staff and leadership positions within the D.C. Army National Guard, to include the S-3, 74th Troop Command and Deputy J-3, District of Columbia National Guard, where she served in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration, Operation Capitol Response I & II, DCNG COVID Response, and the 2020 Civil Disturbance Response within the District of Columbia. She directly contributed in the DCNG maintaining COVID-19 positivity rates well below the community rates.
“Lt. Col. Nushat Thomas represents the best of the D.C. National Guard, having successfully spent the majority of her career within D.C. in various leadership positions amongst the medical detachment, JFHQ, and 74th Troop Command — she is a Soldier that many within the formations trust,” said State Inspector General, Air Force Lt. Col Christopher Mayo.
Lt. Col. Thomas also served as the Unit Commander for the District of Columbia Army National Guard Medical Detachment and Chief Environmental Officer/Force Health Protection Officer as the lead preventive medicine authority responsible for developing Force Health Protection policies and guidance to reduce disease and non-battle injuries amongst the DCARNG force. Additionally, she rose through the ranks within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while operating her own nonprofit organization for area youth.
“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,” Lt. Col. Mayo said. “The IG motto is “Droit et Avant” or “Be Right then Forward,” I know that Lt. Col. Thomas is the right person for the Deputy IG position, to fortify my vision of D.C. National Guard as an organization of standards and discipline.”
The role of the IG and staff is to determine and report on the economy, efficiency, discipline, morale, esprit de corps, readiness, and resources of the command. The State IG office assists Soldiers, Airmen, civilians and contractors assigned to the D.C. Army and Air National Guards.
“As a D.C. National Guardsman who has served at multiple echelons in the organization, I am excited to bring that perspective to the IG and to serve as the eyes and ears of the Commanding General while ensuring that we are visible providing assistance as well as teaching and training the force,” Lt. Col. Thomas said. “Inspectors General represent the best of the formation.”
“She continues to show herself as a model Citizen Solider — in and out of uniform,” Lt. Col. Mayo added.
For assistance or inquiries with the D.C. National Guard Inspector General office, please visit: https://dc.ng.mil/Contact-Us/Inspector-General/