News Release

All-hazards approach: Full-scale weapons of mass destruction exercise tests interoperability when disaster strikes
July 17, 2024 — Weapons of mass destruction exercise bolsters interoperability with emergency response agencies, the Hawaii National Guard, and a half dozen other integrated CST teams and CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages (CERFP)... MORE

Members from the 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) attend a pre-brief during a weapons of mass destruction exercise with civilian agencies, the Hawaii National Guard, and a half dozen other integrated CST teams and CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages (CERFP). The exercise poised military and civilian response partners to better integrate capabilities when disaster strikes.

National Guard supports traffic control during NATO 75th Anniversary Summit
July 12, 2024 — Seventy-five years ago, a dozen countries from North America and Europe signed the North Atlantic Treaty to counter the threat to European security posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. On July 9-11, a NATO alliance of 32 nations reconvened in the nation’s capital, commencing their 75th anniversary and discussing collective defense,... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia National Guard and Maryland National Guard block and direct traffic at designated traffic control points in support of the Metropolitan Police Department during the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., July 11, 2024. Interoperability and coordination with federal and local partners support the success of high visibility National Special Security Events (NSSE).

Enhancing unit cohesion through DEOCS: Strategies for long-term sustainability
July 10, 2024 — The District of Columbia National Guard is utilizing the Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) to enhance unit awareness and sustainability. This initiative, primarily designed to assess organizational climate and equal opportunity, now serves as a critical tool for driving positive change within military ranks... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard is utilizing the Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) to enhance unit awareness and sustainability. This initiative, primarily designed to assess organizational climate and equal opportunity, now serves as a critical tool for driving positive change within military ranks.

D.C. National Guard supports Independence Day 2024
July 4, 2024 — Members of the District of Columbia National Guard support the Washington Metropolitan Police Department with crowd management at designated Metro stations during Independence Day activities on the National Mall, July 4, 2024. Service members also provided directions, answered questions, or simply acknowledged appreciation from celebration attendees... MORE

CGYCA hosts Battle of the Beltway
June 21, 2024 — Cadets embraced the importance of teamwork and competition during Battle of the Beltway, June 18, at the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA) in Laurel, Md. Teams representing the Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy and the CGYCA competed in five activities for a title and bragging rights... MORE

Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA) and Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy cadets compete in Battle of the Beltway, in Laurel, Md., June 18, 2024. Cadets competed against each other in five categories to include an obstacle course, drill and ceremony, basketball, kickball, and physical fitness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)

Model Citizen Soldier: D.C. National Guard swears-in new State Deputy Inspector General
June 13, 2024 — 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. 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... MORE

The D.C. National Guard's Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, commanding general (interim), swears in Lt. Col. Nushat Thomas as the new deputy inspector general at the D.C. Armory on June 8, 2024. Thomas assumed the position following the retirement of Lt. Col. Tera Powell in early spring 2024 after 24 years of service.

DEOCS inputs in action: Introducing the D.C. National Guard CIPP
June 7, 2024 — The Comprehensive Integrated Prevention Plan (CIPP) is the D.C. National Guard's strategic plan to influence the climate of the organization and its members. Over the next six to nine months, the Integrated Resilience Operations (IRO) team will work on shared solutions to better assess and act on climate risk factors and DEOCS trends. The goal is to reinforce positive actions and keep members engaged... MORE

The Comprehensive Integrated Prevention Plan (CIPP) is the D.C. National Guard's strategic plan to influence the climate of the organization and its members. Over the next six to nine months, the Integrated Resilience Operations (IRO) team will work on shared solutions to better assess and act on climate risk factors and DEOCS trends. The goal is to reinforce positive actions and keep members engaged.

80th Anniversary of D-Day: D.C. Guardsmen among the first Allied forces in Normandy invasion
June 6, 2024 — June 6, 1944, marked a pivotal shift during World War II. It’s the day nearly 160,000 Allied forces invaded the beaches of Normandy and laid the foundation to liberate Nazi-occupied Western Europe. Of the eight District of Columbia National Guard units mobilized for service in Europe, the Pacific and at home, at least three landed on Omaha Beach and fought in what we remember today as the Battle of Normandy or Operation Overlord (D-Day)... MORE

A collection of World War II artifacts is on display in the District of Columbia National Guard Museum highlighting the contributions of eight mobilized units in support of the war in Europe, the Pacific and at home, June 5, 2024. Three units landed on Omaha Beach and fought in the Battle of Normandy or Operation Overlord (D-Day): The 29th Military Police Platoon (MP PLT), Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) of the 29th Infantry Division (29ID), and the 121st Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB).

District of Columbia National Guard Trains with Joint Task force - National Capital Region
May 20, 2024 — The District of Columbia National Guard conducted a joint training event for its 372nd Military Police Battalion and 113th Security Forces Squadron at Fort Belvoir, Va. Members of the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) and U.S. Army Military District Washington (MDW) led the training and evaluated service members throughout a series of scenarios... MORE

CFD-IC: Mentors, guides, and catalysts for effective instruction
May 10, 2024 — The Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course (CFD-IC) at the District of Columbia National Guard’s 260th Regiment Regional Training Institute (RTI) is open to E-6 and above from all military branches and components. The course teaches new instructors, trainers, and facilitators how to build lesson plans and effectively reach their intended audience... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Jesse Searls, AGR Program Manager/OCS Commander, District of Columbia National Guard, gives a presentation during the Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course (CFD-IC) at the D.C. National Guard’s 260th Regiment Regional Training Institute (RTI) at Fort Belvoir, Va., March 15, 2024. The course teaches new instructors, trainers, and facilitators how to build lesson plans and effectively reach their intended audience. (