Missouri National Guard > News and Media

Strength in Heritage: Shaping the Future through Strong Values
October 8, 2021 — Command Sgt. Maj. Javier Acosta, Missouri Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, grew up far from his current Missouri residence. He spent much of his youth on the border between Texas and New Mexico, near El Paso, playing in the desert mountains. He also assisted his father with animal husbandry, for the dean of New Mexico State University. “My Hispanic heritage is very important to me,” said Acosta. “I take pride in the positives associated with my heritage, characteristics such as hardworking, family-oriented and strong loyalty.” ... MORE

Naturalized in the National Guard: Soldier honors past while looking towards her future
September 17, 2021 — When 2nd Lt. Juliette Sondano, 205th Military Police Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, was a young girl, she knew little about the world outside her small community, but she knew there had to be more, and she was going to find it. “I always had the most unreasonable dreams,” said Sondano. “If you look where I came from, you would never have guessed I’d be where I am today.” Sondano grew up in rural Kenya. Growing up was a challenge. Her tribe “Kamba” is one of the least influential tribes in all of Kenya. The daily struggle of poverty forced Sondano to grow up very fast. Every day she would spend hours collecting water and firewood for cooking. On top of that, she had to walk three hours a day just to get to school. There were no cars or roads. ... MORE

Missouri Army National Guard Welcomes its First Female Chaplain
July 23, 2021 — For 246 years, chaplains have provided religious services, counseling, and moral support to the armed forces, in peacetime or at war. This mission has remained unchanged since the Chaplain Corps was founded in 1775. On July 3, 2021, Capt. Cassandra Schwartz became the first female chaplain to ever serve in the Missouri National Guard. Her journey to this day was not immediate. ... MORE

Missouri National Guardsmen takes his culture wherever he goes
May 14, 2021 — When Sgt. Christopher Smith, 135th Military History Detachment, Missouri Army National Guard, was a teenager growing up in Wappapello, Missouri, his dad would tell him stories about his military service during the Vietnam War. “He told me about how he made friends with people from diverse backgrounds and experienced other cultures,” said Smith. Inspired by his dad’s experiences, Smith decided he too was interested in serving. After exploring his options, he decided that the Army National Guard was the right fit. Smith chose the Guard so he could stay close to home and continue his education. This was important for Smith since his dad was living alone after his mom had recently died, and was beginning to have health complications. ... MORE

Mother, daughter Airmen join in fight against COVID
April 14, 2021 — In addition to assisting with vaccinations across the state, the Missouri National Guard has also been providing assistance at food banks. Senior Airman Terra Waitl is from the 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s material management office and she was activated for food bank missions in May last year... MORE

Chief Settle Sets Example for What Women Can Achieve
March 17, 2021 — When she explored joining the Air Force, Jessica Settle hit a road block. Her recruiter did not support women in the Air Force so Settle stopped pursuing entry. That was until a female recruiter, then Master Sgt. Judy DeVu, showed the effect a good senior noncommissioned officer can have. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Settle. ... MORE

Targeted Vaccination Teams bring partnership, success
February 26, 2021 — Missouri National Guard Sgt. Joshua Roth recently was in the right place at the right time because of his assignment with the Missouri National Guard Targeted Vaccination Teams (TVT) working in St. Louis and Kansas City. The teams have been mobilized to assist with COVID-19 vaccinations. Roth, a member of 935th Aviation Support Battalion, had just set up a for vaccination event at Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis when two seniors became trapped in an elevator. Roth, an emergency medical technician and firefighter in his civilian role, put his training to work. ... MORE

Missouri National Guard Airmen Defines Her Legacy Through Authenticity
February 25, 2021 — Although the pathway to medicine is well defined, Chief Master Sgt. Carla Hampton, Superintendent of the 131st Medical Group, Missouri Air National Guard, took her passion for science and helping people down a path she could not have predicted. The only people Hampton knew with any military background were her two uncles, but they didn’t really talk about their experiences. It wasn’t until she joined her high school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) that she was given a window into what military life was like... MORE

Missouri Guard assists Department of Health and Senior Services with ShowMeVax
January 27, 2021 — The Missouri National Guard continues to assist the state’s COVID-19 efforts by helping with Missouri’s ShowMeVax program... MORE

Civil Support Teams Lead the Way
December 15, 2020 — Imagine you’re watching a movie in which police officers chase a suspect into a building. They clear one room after another, ensuring nobody threatens them while they apprehend the fugitive. A small chemical lab is in one room they enter, and it could explode if touched, the effect of which could be devastating... MORE