Virginia National Guard

New VNG NCO talks experience from pandemic to promotion
May 12, 2023 — In less than three years, Sgt. Khiyon Bond completed high school during the peak of the global pandemic, joined the National Guard, completed basic and advanced training, deployed to Kosovo and, most recently, became one of the Virginia Army National Guard’s newest noncommissioned officers... MORE

VNG kicks off Mental Health Awareness Month by highlighting staff, resources available for assistance
May 11, 2023 — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to remind Soldiers and civilians the Virginia Army National Guard behavioral health program is ready to provide mental health support to service members not only this month, but throughout the year. Mental Health Awareness Month strives to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses... MORE

Behavioral health professionals provide assistance, support to Virginia Guard Soldiers

Fort Barfoot ASP recognized for outstanding performance
May 3, 2023 — Virginia Army National Guard senior leaders visited and recognized Soldiers and civilian employees assigned to the Fort Barfoot Ammunition Supply Point after their outstanding performance during a recent inspection April 26, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. ... MORE

Va. Beach high schoolers experience National Guard for a day
April 28, 2023 — Recruiters from the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion held an all-day outing for more than 30 students from the Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center's public safety class April 6, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

A group of high school students pose together at an obstacle course

MFT & MRT workshop provides training, sharing of ideas
April 28, 2023 — Nine Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers participated in a workshop developed by the Virginia Army National Guard Holistic Health and Fitness and the Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention teams April 19- 21, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The workshop brought together unit Master Fitness Trainers and Master Resilience Trainers to provide training, sharing of ideas and cohesiveness amongst servicemembers... MORE

Suicide Intervention Officer training provides tactics to help fellow Soldiers
April 27, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers from around the state attended a Suicide Intervention Officer Course April 18-20, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The course, offered by the Virginia National Guard Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Program, provides training and resources for unit SIOs to help Soldiers having suicidal ideations... MORE

Suicide Intervention Officer training provides tactics to assist fellow Soldiers

DiNonno to succeed Rhodes as 29th Infantry Division commanding general
April 24, 2023 — Brig. Gen. Joseph A. DiNonno has been selected to succeed Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes as the commanding general of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, according to an announcement made April 21, 2023, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia... MORE

VNG MPs conduct border checkpoint security exchange in Tajikistan
April 21, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Hanover-based 229th Military Police Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group conducted a border checkpoint security military exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan April 10-14, 2023, at the border checkpoint in Dusti, Tajikistan... MORE

Va. recruiters named runners up at national conference
April 18, 2023 — At the Director of the Army National Guard’s Strength Maintenance Conference, Virginia Army National Guard recruiters came in as runners up for both the top recruiter and top section chief in the nation. Staff Sgt. Sydney Mapp took the second place top recruiter spot, called the Director’s 54, while Master Sgt. Thomas Clarke Jr. took the second place section chief, or Expert 7, spot. Over the last decade, this level of excellence has become the standard for Virginia. ... MORE

Master Sgt. Thomas Clarke Jr. (left); Sgt. Maj. Paul Johnson (center), senior enlisted leader for the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion; and Staff Sgt. Sydney Mapp (right) pose together at the Director of the Army National Guard’s Strength Maintenance Conference March 23, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Saber Soldiers participate in Arctic Forge exercise in Finland
April 13, 2023 — More than 60 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, traveled to Finland to participate in Arctic Forge 23 Feb. 15 - March 7, 2023, on Sodankylä Garrison, Finland. ... MORE

Barfoot to be honored as part of Fort Gregg-Adams redesignation
April 13, 2023 — The namesake for the recently-redesignated Fort Barfoot will be among those honored with new street and facilities names as Fort Lee becomes Fort Gregg-Adams this year. According to a news release published April 12, 2023, B Avenue will become Barfoot Avenue after Col. Van T. Barfoot, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient with extension ties to Virginia. ... MORE

Barfoot to be honored as part of Fort Lee redesignation to Fort Gregg-Adams

229th BEB leaders share Guard experiences with high school students
April 6, 2023 — Leaders from the Virginia National Guard’s Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team partnered with the Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion to highlight the benefits of National Guard membership during showcase events April 3 and 5, 2023, at Courtland High School and Colonial Forge High School. The event generated three leads for individuals interested in joining the VNG... MORE

VNG public affairs NCO named Army Military Photographer of the Year
April 5, 2023 — The Army Chief of Public Affairs announced Virginia National Guard’s Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements as the Military Photographer of the Year during the 2022 Department of the Army Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware award announcements April 14, 2023. ... MORE

VNG public affairs NCO named Military Photographer of the Year

Hubbard to succeed Ring as VNG Director of the Joint Staff
April 4, 2023 — Col. Todd H. Hubbard will succeed Brig. Gen. James W. Ring as the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, according to an announcement made April 3, 2023, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Williams will retire effective July 1 after nearly 40 years of service, and Ring will be the 29th Adjutant General of Virginia effective June 3. Hubbard will assume the DJS duties effective May 6. Col. Paul C. Gravely will replace Hubbard as the Virginia Army National Guard Chief of Staff, and Col. Kurt K. Kobernik’s will succeed Gravely as the VAARNG G3 State Training and Operations Officer. Both assignments are effective May 6. ... MORE

Col. Todd Hubbard to succeed Ring as VNG Director of the Joint Staff

VNG referral program now offering $1,000 per enlistment
April 1, 2023 — The Virginia National Guard’s Referral Incentive Program, or REP, is now offering $1,000 to Virginia citizens who help grow the force with qualified leads who successfully enlist into the Virginia Army or Air National Guard. Previously, referral bonuses were capped at $750. ... MORE

Sgt. Edward Hinton receives a ceremonial check for $1,000 as part of his participation in the Virginia National Guard’s Referral Enlistment Program March 18, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Lt. Col. Emily Huffman, SMR commander, and Maj. Kim Wynn, commander of the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, were on hand to congratulate and thank Hinton for helping grow the force. Hinton, assigned to SMR as an operations noncommissioned officer, worked with area recruiter Staff Sgt. Shawn Bartz to enlist a new recruit into the Virginia Army National Guard as a 09S Commissioned Officer Candidate. Hinton is the first participant to receive payment under the REP, which awards Virginia citizens $1,000 for providing qualified leads to the Virginia National Guard who enlist into the organization. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

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