Iowa National Guard

10/15/2026

Please welcome our newest Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers! 🇺🇸

70 Soldiers returned from their initial training and earned their unit patch at the monthly patching ceremony held at Camp Dodge, Oct. 14, 2026. They've returned fully qualified and ready to serve our community, state, and nation.

Let's hear it for our newest Soldiers!🗣

See all the 📸 from the ceremony: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD7GEb

10/14/2026

Two Iowa National Guard Soldiers rose to the challenge and earned their Expert Infantryman Badges, proving they have what it takes to meet some of the Army's most demanding standards.

The road to earning an Expert Infantryman Badge is anything but easy. With approximately 20% of candidates successfully completing E3B, earning the coveted badge demands exceptional skill, discipline and perseverance. For many, it takes multiple attempts.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to earn this badge,” said Sgt. Spencer Gull, an infantryman from Garnavillo, Iowa. “The slots in the National Guard are very limited, so I very much appreciate my unit for selecting me to be one of the Iowa representatives.”

Congratulations to both Sgt. Spencer Gull and Sgt. Alexander Hassan on this outstanding achievement and for proudly representing the Iowa National Guard!

Read the full story here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/576857/e3b-exercise-excellence

| Michigan National Guard | National Guard |

10/11/2026

🇺🇸 Honoring the courage, compassion and sacrifice of those who answered the call to care.

Saturday, the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge proudly unveiled its newest exhibit, “Military Nurses: An Iowa Story of Service & Sacrifice.”

From the battlefields of the Civil War to modern-day military missions, nurses have played an extraordinary role in caring for our nation's service members. Their stories are ones of bravery, selflessness and an unwavering commitment to others.

A special thank you to the Iowa Nurse Honor Guard for their meaningful participation in the dedication and to Lt. Col. Katie Lunning for serving as the guest speaker and sharing her inspiring story of military service and the important role nurses continue to play in our armed forces.

This new exhibit is more than a collection of military history. It is a tribute to generations of nurses who have provided comfort in moments of fear, hope in times of uncertainty and lifesaving care when it mattered most.

Their service deserves recognition. Their sacrifices deserve remembrance. And their stories deserve to be told.

We invite the public to visit the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston and experience this powerful new exhibit honoring Iowa's military nursing legacy.

10/09/2026

Iowa Grit, Army Standards 💪

Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers take on E3B at Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, Michigan, putting their technical and tactical skills to the test in pursuit of an expert badge.

Michigan National Guard | National Guard

10/07/2026

Lethality starts with the individual.

Soldiers across Region IV are gathered at Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, Michigan, this week for E3B, hosted by the Michigan National Guard. Candidates are working hard toward earning the Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Soldier Badge, or Expert Field Medical Badge, while cadre guide training, evaluate performance and enforce the standard.

Through demanding training and testing, E3B challenges Soldiers to demonstrate the technical and tactical proficiency demanded by today’s Army. Together, cadre and candidates build character, competence and commitment.

Follow along this week as our Iowa Soldiers test their skills in pursuit of their expert badges! More photos from the competition can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6W8R

Michigan National Guard | National Guard

10/06/2026

Reminder‼️ Join us this weekend as we unveil and dedicate a brand new military nurses exhibit at the Gold Star Museum. All are welcome!

🇺🇸 SAVE THE DATE | Honoring Generations of Military Nurses

Join us Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum on Camp Dodge for a very special exhibit dedication honoring the remarkable women who have served our nation as military nurses.

From the Civil War to today, generations of women have answered the call—caring for our wounded, serving alongside our troops and leaving an enduring legacy of courage, compassion and service.

We are honored to welcome Lt. Col. Katie Lunning as our special guest as we recognize the women whose dedication has made an incredible impact on military medicine and our nation’s history.

📅 Saturday, Oct. 10 2026, at 11 AM
📍 Iowa Gold Star Military Museum | Camp Dodge
🎟️ Free and open to the public

Save the date and join us as we honor their service and preserve their stories for generations to come.

10/05/2026

We had the awesome opportunity to host the Iowa State Women’s Wrestling team at Camp Dodge for a firsthand look at the Iowa National Guard. 🌪️

From meeting with senior leaders and touring Joint Force Headquarters to learning more about the opportunities and benefits that come with serving in the Guard, these incredible athletes got a glimpse into another kind of team built on strength, discipline and commitment.

And of course… we couldn’t let them leave without a little “combat” dodgeball!

It was an honor to spend the day with these outstanding student-athletes, share our Iowa National Guard story, and show them our team isn't so different from their own team.

Thanks for visiting Camp Dodge, Cyclones! 🌪️

See more photos from their visit here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6xGm
Iowa State Wrestling

10/01/2026

🚧 Breaking ground and laying the foundation for the future in Waterloo!

The Iowa National Guard officially broke ground on a new Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Waterloo, marking an important investment in our Soldiers, our readiness and a community that has supported the Guard for generations.

For more than 70 years, the current maintenance shop has helped keep our Soldiers and equipment mission-ready. Now, this new modern facility will help ensure we have the capabilities and resources needed to support the missions of tomorrow.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn joined Waterloo community leaders, Iowa National Guard Soldiers and project partners to celebrate this exciting milestone.

See more photos from the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5RFR

09/30/2026

As National Su***de Prevention Month comes to a close, thank you to everyone who showed up, connected, and supported one another at events throughout September. Together, we honor those we've lost, stand with those who grieve, and continue our commitment to su***de prevention and mental health awareness beyond September.

For help with a mental health, su***de, or substance use problem text, call, or chat 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline

09/29/2026

M**h doesn’t just take your teeth, it takes your life.

In 2025, Iowa recorded 172 psychostimulant-related deaths, including methamphetamine overdoses, and four methamphetamine labs were found in the state.

M**hamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant that can be contaminated with fentanyl, a deadly opioid. Long-term effects can include overheating, intense paranoia and auditory, visual and tactile hallucinations, including the sensation of bugs crawling under the skin.

As part of No Filter: Substance Misuse Conversations, Sgt. Parkhurst, with the Iowa National Guard Counterdrug Task Force’s Drug Demand Reduction Outreach program, is raising awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine use and reminding Iowans to draw the line before it draws your outline.