Army National Guard

Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, a military police officer assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, West Virginia Army National Guard, was laid to rest with full military honors on Dec. 9 at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton. She died on Nov. 27 after being fatally wounded in the line of duty during a shooting near Farragut Square in Washington, D.C.

The annual NGAUS Legislative Workshop is set for January 13-14 at the National Guard Memorial, the association’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event provides a platform for those involved in Guard advocacy nationwide to discuss priorities as Congress begins deliberations on fiscal 2027 defense legislation, said retired Col. Jon “Ice” Eisberg, the association’s vice president for government affairs.

Two Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers were killed and three were wounded Saturday in Syria by a gunman with suspected ties to the Islamic State. A civilian interpreter was also killed in the attack. “The gunman was engaged and killed,” according to a U.S. Central Command report.

Service members will receive a 3.8% pay raise beginning Jan. 1 under the final version of the annual defense policy bill announced by the House and Senate on Sunday night.

Saturday is the 389th anniversary of the National Guard’s birth. On Dec. 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s General Court, the colony’s legislature, organized the North, South and East regiments from the independent militia in 14 villages around Boston to better defend the colony.

Most Americans (55%) support using the National Guard to assist local police during major civil disturbances and to address violent crime, according to the Reagan National Defense Survey released Dec. 4.

West Virginia communities and officials are honoring the two members of the state’s National Guard who were shot in Washington, D.C. last week, lauding their dedication to serving their country.

Following the shooting of two West Virginia Guardsmen, the Metropolitan Police Department will begin joint patrols with National Guard troops. The measure is intended to enhance security and visibility in the city.

Governors frequently call up the National Guard during natural disasters, but presidents have historically avoided federalizing Guard units without a state’s consent — doing so only five times before 2025.

NGAUS continues to lead the charge of National Guard and Reserve associations urging Congress to help pay service members during the government shutdown, which is now in its fourth week.

Mississippi Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Sawyer Walters came to Washington, D.C., last week “with a positive attitude” for the second NGAUS Capitol Summit of 2025.

The National Guard Bureau today operates with two of its four senior positions filled by leaders in an “acting” capacity with less than the correct rank. In fact, NGB has not had all four posts filled by Senate-confirmed officers of the appropriate rank in 16 months.