This correspondence is submitted in the form of a whistleblower-style report to bring immediate attention to actions taken within the Maryland National Guard that raise serious concerns regarding leadership accountability, potential misuse of federal orders, and the treatment of service members.
According to a National Guard Bureau memorandum establishing the National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF), states were directed to train and prepare approximately 500 personnel for Level 1 and Level 2 civil disturbance operations. The Maryland National Guard not only met this requirement but also significantly exceeded it, training over 700 service members in Level 2 standards, well beyond the stated mission.
Despite this exceptional performance and spending thousands of dollars of their own money to execute the mission effectively, the full-time training cadre responsible for executing this mission was abruptly terminated immediately following the graduation of the final class (NGRF Class 009) on April 24, 2026. This action occurred without prior notice, transition planning, or consideration for the Soldiers’ families or financial obligations, despite many personnel being placed on orders extending through September 30th, 2026.
Leadership acknowledged that the mission was exceeded and that the team performed an "excellent job", and that the efforts of the full-time training cadre led this federal mission across the country, yet still proceeded with immediate removal. Personnel were informed they could reapply for their positions at a later time when they reopen.
This situation raises significant concerns, including:
- Potential mismanagement or premature termination of federally funded ADOS orders
- Lack of transparency and due process in personnel decisions
- Possible violations of administrative protections afforded to service members
- Negative impacts on morale, retention, and operational trust within the National Guard
This report is being submitted not only to seek accountability, but to ensure this information is disseminated as quickly as possible across all states and territories. The intent is to notify other full-time National Guard personnel nationwide of the risk of similar actions occurring within their own units, specifically, abrupt termination from orders without warning, justification, or regard for personal and financial consequences. These service members should have been rewarded for their service, not discarded.
If this action is left unexamined, it establishes a dangerous precedent for the treatment of federally supported missions and personnel, regardless of performance or mission success.
Given the national scope of the NGRF mission and its importance to homeland response readiness, this matter warrants immediate investigation and public awareness.