WASHINGTON –
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.
On a recent Monday, she assisted an 18-year-old recruit through the enlistment process, helping her select a career field and preparing her for the Oath of Enlistment.
“She wants to be a role model for her siblings,” Quirindongo said of the young recruit, who was accompanied by her father. “It’s a big decision, and my role is to reassure them, guide them through the process, and show them the opportunities the Air National Guard provides Quirindongo, who has served as a full-time production recruiter for the D.C. Air National Guard since June 2024, initially had no aspirations of entering the world of pageantry. It wasn’t until a director reached out in 2023 that she considered competing, first earning the title of Ms Capitol Hill before going on to compete at the state level.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Quirindongo said, recalling the initial outreach. “I had never considered pageantry before, but once I realized it was a legitimate opportunity, I fell in love with it.”
For Quirindongo, the skills she hones in pageantry—public speaking, community engagement, fostering trust, building relationships, and professionalism—are the same ones she employs in her role as a recruiter.
“Both require confidence, communication, and the ability to inspire others,” she says.
Her pageant platform, “Power Over Trauma,” emphasizes overcoming adversity and using personal strength to move forward. She regularly speaks at schools and community events, advocating for confidence and resilience. And enhancing the National Guard’s reputation as a ready, relevant and trained premier reserve component for warfighting requirements, and supporting neighbors in time of need.
“Trauma does not define us,” Quirindongo said. “It’s about the power we have to keep going. That’s a message I bring to both my pageant work and my role in the military. We’re agile, flexible and adaptable.”
U.S. Air Senior Master Sergeant Denise McCowan King, 113th Wing Superintendent of Education and Training, has mentored Quirindongo for several years and immediately saw her potential.
“I saw an ambitious airman who just needed an opportunity to be able to flourish in a new environment,” McCowan King said. “We needed recruiters, we needed people with her infectious personality, who could go out, talk to people, and make connections. With her background in pageantry and community relations, it was the perfect fit.”
McCowan King emphasized Quirindongo’s relentless energy and commitment to service.
“She’s always volunteering, always lending a hand. She’s one of those people who makes you believe there are more than 24 hours in a day,” she said. “Her dual role as Ms DC and a recruiter for the Air National Guard is a mutually beneficial opportunity where she can use her platform to spread the word about the Guard while inspiring young people who look up to her.”
Quirindongo, who previously served in the Air Force Reserve before transitioning to the Air National Guard to be closer to home, believes her military training has been instrumental in preparing her for the competitive world of pageantry. She credits the Air Force’s core values—integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do—as guiding principles in both arenas.
“There’s no off switch in either role,” she said. “In the Air Force, you’re always representing the service. In pageantry, you’re always representing your title. Both require dedication, passion, and a commitment to something greater than yourself.”
As she prepares to compete for the title of Miss United States in May, Quirindongo remains committed to her position of responsibility in the Air National Guard, continuing to recruit and mentor future airmen.
“People don’t realize how well the military and pageantry align,” she said. “Both are about leadership, public service, and inspiring the next generation. I’m honored to serve in both capacities.”
With a year ahead full of publicity tours, engagements, events, and military commitments, Quirindongo is embracing the challenge of balancing two demanding roles.
“When you love what you do, you find a way to make it work,” she admits.