WASHINGTON, D.C. — Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) President CMSgt Josh J. Baker was recently invited to speak during the October “Battle Rhythm” webinar hosted by America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP), a national organization dedicated to empowering veteran-serving nonprofits. The topic, “Serving Those Who Serve Part-Time: Supporting National Guard Members,” brought together leaders from across the military and veteran community to discuss how best to strengthen resources for America’s Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen.
During his presentation, President Baker shared the mission of EANGUS — to promote the status, welfare, and professionalism of enlisted members of the Army and Air National Guard, ensuring they receive fair benefits, quality of life improvements, and the recognition they have earned through service. Founded in 1972, EANGUS now represents all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving as the unified voice of over 450,000 Soldiers, Airmen, retirees, and their families.
Baker highlighted EANGUS’ decades of advocacy victories, including securing TRICARE Reserve Select, Post-9/11 GI Bill access for Title 32 activations, lowering the retirement age for deployed Guard members, expanding commissary privileges, and achieving full veteran status and DD-214 documentation for all Guardsmen and Reservists. He also emphasized EANGUS’ ongoing push for better childcare access, family support programs, and mental health services for Guard members who often live far from traditional military installations.
“Too many of our Guardsmen serve part-time but face full-time challenges,” said Baker. “They stand ready for hurricanes, wildfires, deployments, and emergencies — yet many still struggle to access the benefits and support systems available to active-duty counterparts. EANGUS exists to change that.”
The presentation also underscored EANGUS’ National Guard Relief Foundation (We Care for America), which provides emergency financial assistance to Guardsmen and their families during crises such as natural disasters, medical emergencies, and unexpected hardships. Baker called it “the heart of our mission — caring for those who serve and ensuring no Guard family faces hardship alone.”
This engagement with America’s Warrior Partnership marks another milestone in EANGUS’ outreach and collaboration with veteran and military service organizations (VSOs and MSOs) nationwide, expanding awareness of the National Guard’s dual role under both state and federal authority — and the distinct challenges that come with it.
Watch the full presentation here: Serving Those Who Serve Part-Time – Battle Rhythm