WASHINGTON –
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 Commanding General of the DC National Guard, and Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Stubbs, Director of the Army National Guard, will serve as the ceremony’s presiding officer.
Maj. Gen. Andonie assumed command of the D.C. National Guard in September 2023. He received his commission from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, as an Armor Officer in 1989. He considers defense (Warrior Ethos) mission readiness, stronger District/federal partnerships, and reigniting the organization’s interest in history as his greatest accomplishments. Also, this summer, the D.C. National Guard named the “Cocoran Cadets” its official song.
Formed in 1802 by President Thomas Jefferson, the D.C. National Guard has a unique status as the only National Guard unit reporting directly to the President of the United States. The authority to activate the D.C. National Guard is delegated, by the President, to the Secretary of Defense and further delegated to the Secretary of the Army. An operational reserve for the U.S. Army and Air Force, the D.C. National Guard provides an important role in domestic and overseas operations. “I believe the role of the National Guard is more relevant now than ever,” Maj. Gen. Andonie said. “Modern Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen must be agile and flexible, as demonstrated by our Guardsmen responding to missions both at home and abroad. And Brig. Gen. Blanchard is the right leader at the right point in our history to assume command of this great organization.”
Throughout its history, the D.C. National Guard has played an instrumental role during key moments in U.S. history, including the Civil War, both World Wars, Vietnam, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and ongoing support in CENTCOM. Today, the organization is comprised of more than 2,400 members with a long-standing commitment to national defense and community.