News Release

National Guard Counterdrug Programs from DC, DE, and NJ Convene for Joint Annual Training
September 5, 2024 — To enhance effectiveness in combating drug-related crime and to stay at the forefront of best practices, 53 service members from the District of Columbia, Delaware, and New Jersey National Guard Counterdrug Programs gathered in Cambridge, Maryland, for joint annual training to get a wider scope and understanding of program best practices... MORE

U.S. Army Major Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, addresses National Guard Counterdrug Program personnel attending annual training in Cambridge, Maryland, August 27, 2024. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and alignment with state and government leadership during the joint annual training of the National Guard Counterdrug Program.

Suicide Prevention Month: Highlighting the importance of asking for help
September 3, 2024 — Leadership plays a pivotal role in suicide prevention efforts. By prioritizing mental health and fostering an environment of openness and support, leaders can significantly impact their team’s well-being. Training leaders to recognize and respond to mental health issues is a critical component of the 113th Wing's strategy... MORE

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise greater awareness of resources for 113th Wing D.C. National Guard Airmen, civilians and family members who may need crisis support or want to help someone they know. Leadership plays a pivotal role in suicide prevention efforts. By prioritizing mental health and fostering an environment of openness and support, leaders can significantly impact their team’s well-being. Training leaders to recognize and respond to mental health issues is a critical component of the 113th Wing's strategy.

Suicide Prevention Month: Message from the Commanding General
September 1, 2024 — September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise greater awareness of resources for D.C. National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, civilians and family members who may need crisis support or want to help someone they know. Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim), discusses the significance of an organization that is resilient and knowledgeable regarding at-risk behaviors, stress reduction measures and available resources to help... MORE

DCARNG Medical Detachment remove gaps in health, dental, and vet services in rural Montana
August 30, 2024 — Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard Medical Detachment perform medical, dental, and optometry clinic services during Innovative Readiness Training - Operation Walking Shield 2024 at Fort Belknap Reservation... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard Medical Detachment perform medical, dental, and optometry clinic services during Innovative Readiness Training - Operation Walking Shield 2024 at the Fort Belknap Reservation, Mont., Aug. 2-17, 2024. Operation Walking Shield Innovative Readiness Program (IRT) is a real-world mission led by the Montana Army National Guard in collaboration with the Fort Belknap Indian Health Service, U.S. Army Reserve and Minnesota Army National Guard.

Battle of Bladensburg ceremony sheds new light on D.C. Militiamen
August 24, 2024 — Members of the District of Columbia National Guard in collaboration with Historic Congressional Cemetery participate in a community-wide program and wreath laying ceremony honoring the dozens of D.C. Militia members buried at the cemetery who fought in the Battle of Bladensburg, in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 24, 2024. The ceremony featured remarks from various speakers and recognized the Militiamen who defended the nation’s capital on August 24, 1814... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia National Guard in collaboration with Historic Congressional Cemetery participate in a community-wide program and wreath laying ceremony honoring the dozens of D.C. Militia members buried at the cemetery who fought in the Battle of Bladensburg, in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 24, 2024. The ceremony featured remarks from various speakers and recognized the Militiamen who defended the nation’s capital on August 24, 1814.

National Aviation Week: Military spouses explore relevance and efficiency of Team DCARNG Aviation
August 19, 2024 — Spouses and family members spent the day learning about DCARNG assets which include rotary-wing and fixed-wing operational support airlifts, medical evacuation capabilities, and interagency partnerships. For most of the spouses, this was the first time inside a Black Hawk or Lakota helicopter... MORE

The District of Columbia Army Aviation Command provides spouse orientation flights during family day at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., on August 11, 2024. In addition to a capabilities brief presented by the State Aviation Officer and senior leaders, spouses and family members learned more about DCARNG assets to include rotary-wing and fixed-wing operational support airlifts, medical evacuation capabilities, and interagency partnerships.

The Battle of Bladensburg: D.C. Militia, valor and lessons learned
August 15, 2024 — The Battle of Bladensburg was the first in a series of major engagements between U.S. and British forces during the Chesapeake Campaign of 1814. The result was a decisive victory for Great Britain and an embarrassing defeat for the United States, resulting in the raiding and burning of our nation’s capital. Although the “Bladensburg Races” remains... MORE

The Battle of Bladensburg remains embedded in the DNA of the District of Columbia National Guard. It’s important that we examine and understand our organization’s role during the Battle of Bladensburg because we are defined as much by our victories as by our failures; it is the broad expanse of our historical experiences that make the D.C. National Guard a unique, relevant, and foundational institution of our democracy.

National Night Out Brings D.C. Law Enforcement, National Guard and Community Together
August 8, 2024 — The District of Columbia National Guard Counterdrug Program participated in the Metropolitan Police Department's 41st annual National Night Out celebrations in Southeast Washington, D.C. The community-building campaign occurs the first Tuesday of August each year and is held by law enforcement agencies across the country... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard Counterdrug Program participated in the Metropolitan Police Department's 41st annual National Night Out celebration in Southeast Washington, D.C., August 6, 2024. The community-building campaign occurs the first Tuesday of August each year and is held by law enforcement agencies across the country.

D.C. National Guard generator mechanic serves as a connector for both mission and people
August 6, 2024 — Generator mechanics are critical to the 104th Maintenance Company’s mission because so because much of the external training and missions conducted by the company runs on generator power. Furthermore, generators must be fully mission capable 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week... MORE

U.S. Army Pfc. James Ray, generator mechanic, and Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Bellamy, Field Maintenance Shop (FMS) 3 supervisor, District of Columbia National Guard, perform an inspection on a generator within the Combined Support Maintenance Shop at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), June 5, 2024. A native of Washington, D.C, Pfc. Ray enlisted in the Army in 2022, motivated by the travel, connections and skills serving in the National Guard provides him.

National Back to School Month: Tuition Assistance 101 and how to apply
August 1, 2024 — The District of Columbia National Guard’s State Tuition Assistance Program (DCTA) offers Guardsmen tuition assistance to any accredited educational degree program anywhere in the United States offering up to $12,500 per fiscal year. The program allows Guardsmen to achieve any degree level, all the way up to a doctoral degree... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard’s State Tuition Assistance Program (DCTA) offers Guardsmen tuition assistance to any accredited educational degree program anywhere in the United States offering up to $12,500 per fiscal year. To qualify for DCNG TA you must be a current member of the D.C. National Guard and have at least one year of service remaining at the completion of your degree requirement.