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North Dakota Army National Guard Capt. Chris Spangler did not know what to expect when he came to Washington, D.C., earlier this month for the first NGAUS Capitol Summit of 2026.
He said he had been to D.C. before, but “not like this.”
In addition to learning about the legislative process and the association’s role in it on Capitol Hill, Spangler had the opportunity to meet one of his senators at a Capitol Hill reception.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., was one of several lawmakers to stop by the post-summit reception at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 14.
Spangler said enjoyed hearing from NGAUS staff and other guest speakers throughout the two-day event. He also took advantage of his unexpected visit to “see as much of D.C. as I could with other attendees.”
“I really enjoyed my time there [in D.C.],” summed it up for Spangler.
Spangler was one of more than 40 company-grade officers for the spring iteration of one of the association’s premier professional development programs.
Nebraska Air National Guard Capt. Matthew Smith also didn’t know what to expect.
“I’ve never been one for politics and I didn’t know what I was stepping into when I showed up,” Smith said. “I was fascinated by the [legislative] process.”
Smith said he benefitted most from gaining insight from the command perspective.
His message to his fellow CGOs is to put this event on their calendar.
“Everyone should try to go to understand the bigger picture when it comes to legislative reform for the Guard,” he said.
Attendees heard from Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army Guard, and Gen. Thomas Carden, the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Panel discussions featured Q&A with congressional staffers and tips and strategies from the NGAUS government affairs team.
Tennessee Air National Guard 1st Lt. April Perry echoed others.
“I learned it’s critical to make connections with legislators and staffers,” she said. “It’s important to connect with them and tell your story as a Citizen-Soldier or Airman.”
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gary Reavis shared a few things that “stood out from this event.”
“It was a great balance of hearing senior military leaders, congressional leaders and networking with future leaders,” Reavis said. “It’s an incredibly unique opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that you can bring back to your organization and build your leadership portfolio.”
The next Capitol Summit will take place Oct. 18-20. Learn more.
—By Rich Arnold
TOP PHOTO (From left): Jon Eisberg, the NGAUS vice president of government affairs; Capt. Chris Spangler; Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; and retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president, inside the Driksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., April 14, 2026.
