DC ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/ORGANIZATION
OUR ORGANIZATION
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The Commanding General
Maj Gen Sherrie L. McCandless
The Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard. As Commanding General, she is responsible for the strategic leadership, training, readiness, operational employment and performance of the Army and Air Force components of the D.C. National Guard.
The Senior Enlisted Leader
CSM Michael F. Brooks
The Senior Enlisted Leader to the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard. In these two roles, he serves as the Commanding General’s principal military advisor on all enlisted matters pertaining to Army and Air policies affecting training, utilization, resources, health of the force, enlisted professional development and serves as the consummate role model for every noncommissioned officer and senior leader.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY
Today’s District of ColumbIa Army National Guard remains strong with more than 1,296 Soldiers and 1,404 Airmen available to execute its missions. D.C. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen resides within the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, and are proud to be from the communities in which we protect and serve.
The D.C National Guard was formed in 1802 by President Thomas Jefferson to defend the newly created District of Columbia. As such, the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard is subordinate solely to the President of the United States. This authority to activate the D.C. National Guard has been delegated, by the President, to the Secretary of Defense and further delegated to the Secretary of the Army. The D.C. National Guard is the only National Guard unit, out of all of the 54 states and territories, which reports only to the President.
The D.C. National Guard provides mission-ready personnel and units for active duty in the armed services in the time of war or national emergency. The D.C. National Guard also retains the mission as protector of the District of Columbia.
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY
The National Guard is a unique and essential element of the U.S. military. Founded in 1636 as a citizen force organized to protect families and towns from hostile attacks, today’s National Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part-time, always ready to defend the American way of life in the event of an emergency.
Our mission.
National Guard Soldiers serve both community and country. Our versatility enables us to respond to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. The Guard always responds with speed, strength, and efficiency, helping to defend American freedom and ideals.
Our Citizen-Soldiers.
As a Guard Soldier, your primary area of operation is your home state. Any governor or the president himself can call on the Guard at a moment’s notice. Typically, Guard Soldiers live at home, where they can be near friends and family while holding a civilian job. Drill is scheduled for just one weekend each month. Two-week Annual Training takes place once each year.