News Release

JROTC 'Best of the Best' Drill Competition brings region's top cadets to D.C. Armory
January 29, 2024 — Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) teams from a dozen D.C. metropolitan area schools competed in the JROTC “Best of the Best” Drill Competition at the D.C. Armory, Jan. 27, 2024. The regional qualifier is a collaboration between D.C. Public Schools, D.C. Government Operations, and the D.C. National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)... MORE

Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) teams from a dozen D.C. metropolitan area schools competed in the 2024 JROTC “Best of the Best” Drill Competition at the D.C. Armory, Jan. 27, 2024. The regional qualifier is a collaboration between D.C. Public Schools, D.C. Government Operations, and the D.C. National Guard.

NCO development a ‘security goal’ as D.C. National Guard and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) mark 25-year state partnership
January 16, 2024 — As a global destination, Jamaica is known for its culture, vibrant beaches, and robust tourism industry. It’s also a nation making investments to national defense and strengthening security in the Caribbean basin which entails placing the role of non-commissioned officers under a microscope... MORE

Sgt. Maj. Esmeralda Vaquerano, G-1 (personnel) Sergeant Major for the D.C. Army National Guard and Sgt. Jessica A. Frazer, Recruitment and Retention Battalion, D.C. Army National Guard are briefed by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) during a State Partnership Program visit to the Caribbean Military Academy (CMA), Dec. 12-14, 2023. D.C. Guard members participated in an NCO Career Development Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) which included reviewing training, promotions, leadership, duties and responsibilities of NCOs with JDF’s Jamaica Regiment, Support Brigade, and the Martitime, Air and Cyber Command (MACC).

D.C. National Guard recognizes National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 9, 2024 — Some D.C. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen share in receiving and giving appreciation, as they have the distinctive experience of being both District of Columbia National Guard members while also serving in law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area... MORE

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created in 2015 by several national organizations to thank officers across the country for all their daily sacrifices they continually make for their communities and surrounding areas. Some District of Columbia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen share in receiving and giving appreciation, as they have the distinctive experience of being both D.C. National Guard members while also serving in law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area.

'Class of many firsts': CGYCA Class 61 grads earn scholarships and admission into UDC
January 2, 2024 — Cadets of the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy Class 61 receive their diplomas upon completion of a 22 week “quasi-military" course, during a residential phase commencement ceremony at the University of the District of Columbia, Dec. 29, 2023. Since 2013, the mission of the program is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of at-risk youth, and produce program graduates with the values, skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults... MORE

Cadets of the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy Class 61 receive their diplomas upon completion of a 22 week long “quasi-military" course, during a residential phase commencement ceremony at the University of the District of Columbia, Dec. 29, 2023. Since 2013, the mission of the program is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of at-risk youth, and produce program graduates with the values, skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults.

District of Columbia Army National Guard Activates its First Military Intelligence Unit
December 19, 2023 — In a strategic move to bolster the nation's defense capabilities and address emerging security challenges, the District of Columbia Army National Guard officially activated Delta Company, 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion (LING) during a ceremony Dec. 9, at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C... MORE

The District of Columbia Army National Guard officially activates Delta Company, 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion during a ceremony Dec. 9, 2023, at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C. The unit is the first of its kind in the D.C. Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Erica Jaros)

2023 Holiday message from DCNG Commanding General, TAG and Command Senior Enlisted Leader
December 13, 2023 — Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (interim), District of Columbia National Guard; Brig. Gen. Aaron R. Dean, The Adjutant General, D.C. National Guard and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith, Jr., Command Senior Enlisted Leader, D.C. National Guard thank Soldiers, Airmen, civilians, and family members for their accomplishments over the year... MORE

Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (interim), District of Columbia National Guard; Brig. Gen. Aaron R. Dean, The Adjutant General, D.C. National Guard and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith, Jr., Command Senior Enlisted Leader, D.C. National Guard thank Soldiers, Airmen, civilians, and family members for their accomplishments over the year.

D.C. National Guard Command Team Holiday Message 2023
December 12, 2023 — Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (interim), District of Columbia National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith, Jr., Command Senior Enlisted Leader, D.C. National Guard thank Soldiers, Airmen, civilians, and family members for their accomplishments over the year... MORE

‘Ready to respond to the unknowns’: Vehicle-Mounted Radiological Detection System (VMRDS) elevates CST interoperability
November 16, 2023 — National Guard Bureau (NGB) J39 hosted a WMD-CST Capabilities Symposium allowing federal partners, state/local agencies, and civilian first responders to get an up-close look at the 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) at the D.C. Armory, Nov. 6, 2023. The team is able to deploy rapidly, respond to an incident within 90 minutes and assist local first-responders in determining the nature of a weapon of mass destruction or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incidents. Earlier this year, the 33rd WMD-CST acquired a Vehicle-Mounted Radiological Detection System (VMRDS)... MORE

National Guard Bureau (NGB) J39 hosted a WMD-CST Capabilities Symposium allowing federal partners, state/local agencies, and civilian first responders to get an up-close look at the 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) at the D.C. Armory, Nov. 6, 2023. The team is able to deploy rapidly, respond to an incident within 90 minutes and assist local first-responders in determining the nature of a weapon of mass destruction or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incidents. Earlier this year, the 33rd WMD-CST acquired a Vehicle-Mounted Radiological Detection System (VMRDS). (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur Wright)

D.C. resident completes 240th marathon in honor of fallen D.C. National Guardsman
October 29, 2023 — Jennifer Hickey completes her 240th marathon in Arlington, Va., during the Marine Corps Marathon, Oct. 29, 2023. Hickey ran in honor of Spc. Darryl T. Dent, a District of Columbia National Guard member assigned to the 547th Transportation Company. The 21-year-old died Aug. 26, 2003, when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle in Southeast Arimaji, Iraq... MORE

Jennifer Hickey completes her 240th marathon in Arlington, Va., during the Marine Corps Marathon, Oct. 29, 2023. Hickey ran in honor of Spc. Darryl T. Dent, a District of Columbia National Guard member assigned to the 547th Transportation Company. The 21-year-old died Aug. 26, 2003, when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle in Southeast Arimaji, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Arthur Wright)

District Government Operations helps DCNG achieve RESET through staffing and HR reform
September 19, 2023 — The District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) has supported District and Federal partners on a near continuous basis, including activations to support the District’s COVID operations, first amendment demonstrations, Capitol response, presidential inauguration, and other National Special Security Events (NSSE) and domestic operations (DOMOPS) to include Independence Day festivities. This has had a lasting impact on the DCNG’s ability to sustain regular efforts and like other branches, retain Soldiers and Airmen. Maj. Gen. Sherrie L. McCandless, commanding general of the DCNG, has formulated a RESET plan to focus on the training and wellbeing of DCNG Soldiers and Airmen, and sure up processes that keep the DCNG running efficiently. Melbert Carlos, DCNG’s newest District government operations human resources (HR) manager that supports the DCNG, has established himself as an integral part of ensuring the success of RESET and proving that District government and DCNG’s partnership in centering Soldiers and Airmen, is the most effective collaboration in centering DC Guardsmen and their families. ... MORE