Photos

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Teagan Sneed, the 6-year-old daughter of 123rd Engineer Battalion Staff Sgt. Ashley Sneed, pets a cat in the mobile Pawsotively Scrumptious Cat Cafe during the Mount Vernon Easter Egg Hunt for Military Families.

Share

Two-year-old Ellie Upchurch of Mount Vernon gathers eggs with her great grandmother, Dr. Linda Upchurch, as the Easter Bunny observes.

Share

Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Andres Olalde runs to assist their fellow Soldiers during base defense training at Marseilles Training Area in Illinois

Share

Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Termaine Cunningham mans his position during base defense training at Marseilles Training Area

Share

Spc. Kameron Wilson speaks with First Army Division East observer-trainer-controller Sgt. 1st Class Michael Polombi at the entrance to the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's base camp on March 31.

Share

Illinois Army National Guard Spc. James Outlaw mans his position during base defense training at Marseilles Training Area on March 31.

Share

Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Kevin Schreier and Sgt. Jocelyn Kolthoff man the entrance to the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's base camp on March 31.

Share

Spc. Kameron Wilson mans the entrance to the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's base camp on March 31.

Share

Spc. Kaden Tuttle of Chicago speaks on the radio at the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's base camp on March 31.

Share

Lt. Col. Melinda Weller of Springfield assumed command of the Joint Force Medical Detachment from Col. Jayson Coble

Share

Change of Command Ceremony. Lt. Col. Melinda Weller of Springfield assumed command of the Joint Force Medical Detachment from Col. Jayson Coble

Share

Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Christopher Jenkins of Bloomington served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Joint Force Medical Detachment Change of Command Ceremony.

Share

Change of Command Ceremony. Lt. Col. Melinda Weller of Springfield assumed command of the Joint Force Medical Detachment from Col. Jayson Coble.

Share

Lt. Col. Melinda Weller of Springfield assumed command of the Joint Force Medical Detachment from Col. Jayson Coble of Lincoln during an April 4 Change of Command Ceremony.

Share

Major General Rodney Boyd

Share

Col. Eric Smith, of Springfield, thanks family, friends, and coworkers during a retirement ceremony March 21 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln, Springfield. Smith retired from the Illinois Army National Guard after 36 years of military service.

Share

Col. Eric Smith, of Springfield, is presented the Legion of Merit by Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eric Little, in honor of Smith’s 36 years of military service during a retirement ceremony March 21 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln, Springfield.

Share

Maj. Gen. Eric Little, left, presents Lori Smith, wife of Col. Eric Smith, a certificate of appreciation for her support of Smith’s 36 years of military service during a retirement ceremony March 21 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln, Springfield.

Share

Aaliyah Johnson, center, the 2025 recipient of the Captain Walter H. Dyett award, is joined by her parents, members of the 8th Infantry Association, school officials from the Walter H. Dyett High School for Fine Arts in Chicago, and Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, during the third annual Captain Walter H. Dyett award ceremony March 19.

Share

Aaliyah Johnson, the 2025 recipient of the Capt. Walter Dyett award, thanks the 8th Infantry Association for presenting her with the award during the third annual Captain Walter H. Dyett award ceremony at Walter H. Dyett High School for the Fine Arts March 19 in Chicago.

Share