Johnson Urges DOD to Allow National Guard Enlistee Families to Attend Swearing-In Ceremony

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPS) under the Department of Defense (DOD) to abandon a policy that restricts enlistees of the U.S. National Guard from having family present at swearing-in ceremonies under a vestige of COVID-19.

During COVID-19, the DOD prohibited family and guests from attending swearing-in ceremonies for military personnel. This policy was rescinded in January 2023 and replaced with a narrow pilot program for guests that entirely excludes the U.S. National Guard. This situation was brought to light by a South Dakota constituent who is being blocked from attending the swearing-in of her son to the South Dakota National Guard.

“This restrictive policy did not exist prior to the pandemic, and since the Commander in Chief fully ended the national emergency in April 2023, the MEPS previous policy to accommodate all guests should be restored,” said Johnson in his letter to the DOD. “As the Armed Services face an unprecedented recruiting problem, I’d advise you welcome families to this sacred service, not keep them out.”

Prior to COVID-19 all guests of enlistees were permitted to attend swearing-in ceremonies. In the MEPS news release on the new policy, it cites training personnel to handle visitors as an obstacle to allowing guests and offers a social media video as an alternative to attendance for families.