Photo By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy | Members of the District of Columbia National Guard, attached to Joint Task...... read more read more
In 2002, 2nd Lt. Jonathan Grabill joined the Indiana Army National Guard as a signal officer – little did he know, 23 years later, he would serve as the Chief Information Officer for Joint Task Force District of Columbia (JTF-DC) in support of the 60th Presidential Inauguration.
“Our strength lies in our people and formations, and we need to ensure we can communicate effectively,” said, now, Col. Grabill. “Effective communication is vital to ensuring coordination and mission success, and it allows us to remain connected and make critical decisions in real-time.”
In his role, Grabill ensures seamless communication for the approximately 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states, territories and the District of Columbia, attached to JTF-DC to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. Communication Soldiers provide critical communication support by managing computers, tactical radios, cell phones, satellite communications, networks and cybersecurity while maintaining diligent information security protocols.
“We can provide a broad range of capabilities, from our Joint Task Force Headquarters down to the service members on the ground,” said Grabill. “The most rewarding part of my job is working alongside incredible service members who contribute to such a historic event.”
Grabill and his team coordinated with local first responders and several agencies within the D.C. Emergency Operations Center, leading the way to ensure their readiness and ability to communicate together and respond to potential emergencies surrounding this high-visibility, large-scale operation.
“I think the hardest part was the depth of dealing with the number of organizations in D.C. It is so complex and there are so many different people you need to communicate with,” said Grabill. “Our plan is both simple and sophisticated, ensuring the most effective communication support possible. We just want to trust that we took care of our Soldiers, and they can do their job, and everybody can win.”
The communication team uses the Unified Command Platform to maintain visibility over the entire operation, enabling senior leaders to make informed decisions and anticipate the needs of Soldiers and Airmen in the field.
“In the military, we pride ourselves not only on how we execute, but how much we prepare to execute,” said Grabill. “My team has spent months working extremely hard, collaborating with federal and local agencies to ensure a comprehensive communication plan. We've partnered with national-level organizations and local first responders to craft the best solutions for our command and those working in the field.”
The key to successful communication support is preparation. Grabill had less than 70 days to ensure his Soldiers were ready and capable of supporting JTF-DC Soldiers, Airmen and civilians across all aspects of the 60th Presidential Inauguration. This was no small feat.
“It's really difficult. It's technically hard. It takes a lot of hours,” said Grabill. “It takes some ingenuity, thinking outside the box, and Soldiers know that. So they take it seriously. The work next stops. And it
never will. 100% of people that serve need to have a functioning device. That means it's our job to make sure they work for them, whether you teach them how to use it or we have to fix it.”
In preparation for the 60th Presidential Inauguration, the DCNG’s G-6 executed several training exercises for its Soldiers. A few weeks before Inauguration Day, nearly 500 participants gathered for the second annual DCNG Toy Ruck March – an opportunity for Soldiers to practice utilizing communication equipment.
“They could test their equipment beforehand. It comes down to confidence,” said Grabill. “We were able to put it in the hands of the Soldiers ahead of time to become familiar with it so that they could trust their equipment.”
For Soldiers interested in succeeding in the communication field, Grabill advises you to work hard and take it seriously.
“Pick a craft and get really good at it,” said Grabill. “Don't be scared to fail. Try your hardest. Ask questions. And when it seems too daunting, just take a deep breath and then get back at it. Don't accept ‘No,’ and keep looking for more opportunities if you want to be good at this. To be a good communicator, keep communicating.”
Grabill credits the success of this mission to the dedicated team of Soldiers who put in the work and continue to excel.
“Being around Soldiers that want to be dedicated to their craft is the most rewarding thing as an officer,” said Grabill. “Seeing them succeed and be proud of themselves is really the best. Some of the hardest workers we have are in the communicator fields.”
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2025 12:43 |
| Story ID: | 490000 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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