WASHINGTON –
For the first time, the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA) partnered with the District of Columbia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) to provide additional support and mentorship to young cadets during their critical acclimation phase. The collaboration, which began last month, was designed to help guide the academy’s newest candidates through their initial weeks of training, ensuring their safety, security, and overall well-being.
The acclimation phase, described by CGYCA Commandant Geoffrey Adams as the “final step in the interview process,” is a two-week period during which candidates determine if the program is the right fit for them—and vice versa.
“We look for a willingness to succeed,” said Adams, who has served with the program since 2013. “It’s an evaluation of how well they can handle stress, structure, and discipline, as well as their ability to work within a team.”
The CGYCA, located in Laurel, Md., is run by the D.C. National Guard in partnership with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia. The program provides at-risk youth with a structured, military-style environment aimed at fostering personal growth, academic achievement, and career readiness. The partnership allows service members to step in as mentors and role models, offering guidance and motivation to cadets as they navigate the challenges of the program’s early days.
Philip Burk, director of CGYCA, emphasized the significance of this collaboration.
“Service members represent discipline, structure, and moral integrity,” he said. “Having them here provided a different perspective for the cadets. They became role models and they demonstrate dignity, perseverance, and resilience.”
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jermaine Denee Bowens echoed these sentiments, describing the mission as an opportunity to build a lasting relationship between the National Guard and CGYCA.
“We were there to mentor, to be a support to the cadre,” Bowens explained. “We weren’t there to take charge, but to serve as examples of what these young people could achieve—whether that’s through the National Guard or other opportunities beyond their current circumstances.”
Throughout the acclimation phase, the Guardsmen assisted with various aspects of training, including drill and ceremony instruction, physical fitness, and overall morale-boosting efforts. They also played a crucial role in identifying and addressing potential behavioral concerns, ensuring that every cadet received the support they needed to succeed.
Bowens highlighted the importance of conversation and connection in working with youth.
“A lot of these kids are coming from situations where recruiting isn’t their first concern—what they need is consistency and a connection with an adult who listens,” she said. “I take the time to observe, to listen, and then figure out how I can help. It’s the same method we use in recruiting, but here it’s about showing them that they don’t have to live in their current circumstances.”
The academy initially welcomed 59 candidates, all of whom were monitored closely by staff and service members. “Emotions run high during this period,” Burk explained. “Some of the youth experience homesickness, while others struggle with discipline or self-doubt. The presence of the guardsmen helped re-engage those who were unmotivated or facing challenges.”
For Adams, who has served in the DCNG since 2007, the mission of CGYCA is personal.
“I know what it feels like to be at risk and to feel lost as a teenager,” he said. “This job is my way of giving back. Seeing these young people transform over five and a half months—and then checking in on them years later, seeing them succeed in the military, college, or their careers—that’s my motivation.”
DCNG’s involvement in this initiative aligns with its broader commitment to serving the community. “We live here, we work here, we serve here,” Adams said, echoing the D.C. National Guard’s motto. “This program is one of the most impactful ways we can give back to the city.”
Bowens expressed hope that the relationship between the Guard and CGYCA would continue to grow.
“I now have an invested interest in Capital Guardian,” she said. “I write to the cadets every week, and my goal is to visit every two weeks for our ‘Cupcake and Conversation’ sessions. These kids need to know we’re here for them, and that support shouldn’t cease once the initial phase is over.”
Looking ahead, both Adams and Burk hope that this partnership will become a permanent fixture of the program. “The service members did an absolutely great job,” Burk said. “We hope this continues for years to come.”