On a chilly December day, Army Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Metz, a platoon sergeant assigned to 289th Engineering Vertical Construction Company, conducts a presence patrol near the Smithsonian Metro station in Washington. Metz patrols alongside Air Force Tech. Sgt. Richard Kramer, a security forces airman assigned to the 172nd Airlift Wing.
Both are members of the Mississippi National Guard, serving together in the nation's capital as part of a multistate effort supporting public safety and domestic resilience as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Joint Task Force District of Columbia mission.
Their presence is part of a broader effort to strengthen security, reinforce public trust and support civil authorities in high-visibility areas, key components of homeland defense and community resilience during periods of increased risk.
"We're trying to reduce crime and maintain a visible presence," Kramer said.
Since August, National Guard members from multiple states have patrolled high-traffic locations across the district, including Metrorail stations, the National Mall and popular tourist destinations. Their mission emphasizes visibility, deterrence and rapid response. They are also assisting with emergencies ranging from medical aid to providing safe escorts when requested by the public.
Many of the service members supporting the mission are early in their careers, some serving their first enlistment.
"Some of these soldiers have only been in the Army one or two years," Metz said. "This is a great opportunity for them to grow in uniform and learn what professionalism looks like in a real-world environment."
That professionalism is tested daily. Guardsmen routinely engage with the public, receiving expressions of gratitude from residents and visitors while also encountering individuals who disagree with the mission.
The deployment has carried real risk. On Nov. 26, two West Virginia National Guard members — Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24 — were ambushed in a targeted shooting near Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House. Beckstrom died from her injuries the following day. Wolfe survived and continues his recovery.
The attack underscored the dangers associated with domestic operations and the seriousness of the mission.
"You have to stay professional and alert at all times," Kramer said. "You're a soldier first, and you have to keep your head on a swivel."
Despite those challenges, leaders say the mission offers invaluable leadership development that cannot be replicated in training environments. Without a rigid playbook, service members learn to assess risk, communicate effectively and make decisions under pressure while representing the military to the American public.
"If you're going to be mobilized, this is a great opportunity," Metz said. "The flip side is that you're in the public eye more than you ever will be. This isn't the same as deploying overseas — you're interacting with the community every day."
Through their daily patrols, these troops bridge military service and civilian life — supporting local authorities, strengthening public confidence and developing the next generation of leaders.
"We're doing good things by helping the local community," Kramer said. "Changing hearts and minds one day at a time."