183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute 

The Virginia Army National Guard’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute has a rich history and is recognized as one of the best warrior training locations due to the ability to leverage world class instructors and modern classroom facilities, as well as the extensive training resources at Fort Barfoot. This allows the Regional Training Institute to enhance our Warriors’ mastery of their craft while honing their leadership skills.

The Regiment is comprised of over 100 of the finest trainers in the Virginia Army National Guard organized into three battalions. The Regional Training Institute specializes in a multitude of areas, to include the 11B1O, 11B2/3, 11C1O, 88M1O Military Occupational Skill transition courses, the Air Assault and Pathfinder mobile training teams, the Common Faculty Development Instructor Course, the Virginia Army National Guard’s Marksmanship Program, and the Officer and Warrant Officer Candidate Schools.

In 2022 the Regiment was successful in maintaining their Accreditation, scoring in the top one percent in the country. The Regiment was able to do this while training over 1,000 Soldiers and simultaneously supporting Operation Allies Welcome, which allowed over 10,000 Afghans to be able to successfully come to the United States through Fort Barfoot. Instructors from 1st Battalion, under the command of LTC Richard Harrison, were focused on training infantryman and graduated almost 300 Soldiers from the courses they provided in 2022. Instructors from 2nd Battalion, under the command of LTC Aaron Loy, focused on transportation training courses and qualified more than 100 new truck drivers, as well as conducting additional bus driver and truck driver training to units throughout the Virginia Army National Guard. 

Instructors from 3rd Battalion, under the command of LTC Eric Quinn, had the privileged mission of training the future leaders of the Virginia Army National Guard as they host the Officer Candidate and Warrant Officer Candidate Schools. This past year saw the battalion commission over 20 second lieutenants. The Warrant Officer Candidate School produced 6 newly minted Warrant Officers.

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183rd RTI News

U.S. Army Soldiers from units across the nation conduct flat rack training on M1075 Palletized Load System trucks during during the 88M Motor Transport Operator Course March 2, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The course, taught by cadre assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, instructs Soldiers on the fundamentals of operating wheeled vehicles to transport personnel and cargo. Graduates of the course are awarded the 88M Military Occupational Speciality. (U.S. National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Marc Heaton)
Soldiers get behind the wheel during 88M MOS Transition Course
March 6, 2024
U.S. Army Soldiers from across the nation came together to attend the 88M Motor Transport Operator Course, taught by cadre assigned to 2nd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The 28-day course teaches Soldiers how to safely operate some of the largest wheeled vehicles in the U.S. Army’s fleet.

Seven warrant officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School celebrate their completion of the program during a graduation ceremony held March 3, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Five candidates were pinned with their new rank, while two received certificates of eligibility and will join the warrant officer ranks once a position becomes available for them. Of the seven candidates, six serve in the Virginia National Guard, while one serves in the Washington National Guard. The official party included Col. Kurt Kobernick, commander of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute; Lt. Col. Christina Perronie, commander of the RTI’s 3rd Battalion, who administered the oath of office to the candidates; and Chief Warrant Officer 5 John Calley, the VNG’s State Command Chief Warrant Officer. Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the 28th Adjutant General of Virginia served as the guest speaker. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
VNG recognizes 7 WOCS graduates
March 6, 2024
The Virginia Army National Guard celebrated the graduation of seven Soldiers from the 183 Regiment, Regional Training Institute’s Warrant Officer Candidate School during a ceremony held March 3, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. For the candidates, their WOCS graduation served as a culmination of years of hard work and dedication in their respective career fields. On average, the candidates had 14 years of service, an overall academic average of 94 percent and represented five branches and two states.

Warrant Officer Candidates enrolled in the Virginia National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School present their class sign and song to Lt. Col. Christina Perronie, commander of the Fort Barfoot-based 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Feb. 3, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The class includes seven National Guard Soldiers from Virginia and Washington. (U.S. National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Marc Heaton)
VNG WOCs hit milestones, hurtle toward graduation
Feb. 14, 2024
The seven Soldiers currently enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School are nearly through with their transition from noncommissioned officers to fully-fledged warrant officers. Over their most recent drill weekend, held Feb. 2-4, 2024, the candidates tackled their community project at the Chesterfield Food Bank and Outreach Center, took their capstone academic assessment, and presented their class song and sign to their battalion commander.

Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. is promoted to brigadier general and formally takes command of the Virginia Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher during a change of command ceremony Jan. 6, 2024, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presided over the traditional exchange of organizational colors symbolizing the transition from Gallagher to Martin as the Virginia National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General - Army. The 29th Infantry Division Band performed ceremonial music for the event. Gallagher was recognized during the ceremony for his retirement from the VNG after more than 32 years of military service.
Martin takes command of VaARNG from Gallagher
Jan. 11, 2024
Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. was promoted to brigadier general and formally took command of the Virginia Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher during a change of command ceremony Jan. 6, 2024, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. 

Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. will succeed Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher as the Virginia National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General - Army according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2023, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Martin currently serves as the VNG’s Chief of the Joint Staff.
Martin to succeed Gallagher as VNG Assistant Adjutant General - Army
Nov. 14, 2023
Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. will succeed Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher as the Virginia National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General - Army according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2023, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia.