Air Force Video

Video by Master Sgt. Arthur Wright

Legal Readiness 101: District of Columbia National Guard Office of the Staff Judge Advocate

DC National Guard

Jan. 2, 2026 | 6:01

U.S. Army Maj. Margaret P. Serrano, Legal Assistance Attorney within the District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA), presents vital tools to protect Guardsmen and their loved ones from uncertainty during a crisis, at the D.C. Armory, Jan. 2, 2026. Taking proactive steps to get your legal affairs in order means you can focus on your mission with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is secure and your personal wishes are protected. This includes:

-Family Readiness: Ensuring you have a Family Care Plan and have legally appointed guardians for your children.
-Estate Planning: Creating a Will to direct who receives your property, a Living Will for your end-of-life medical wishes, and a Health Care Power of Attorney to designate someone to make medical decisions if you cannot.
-Financial Affairs: Appointing a trusted agent with a Durable Power of Attorney to manage your finances and confirming your life insurance beneficiaries are correct and up-to-date.

The goal of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is to help Guardsmen achieve legal readiness. Services are completely free and confidential for eligible service members. Legal assistance is available from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the D.C. Armory drill floor on the 1st and 15th of each month. See the QR codes in the video to learn more.

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