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 Pickett. 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 Pickett. 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

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen compete in the Virginia National Guard’s annual marksmanship match, hosted May 16-18, 2025, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Dozens of shooters participated in the event, which was hosted by the Marksmanship Training Unit, part of the Fort Barfoot-based 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. Over the course of three days, shooters engaged targets from a variety of distances and shooting positions, firing rifles and pistols.
VNG hosts combined arms marksmanship match
May 27, 2025
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took top honors at the 2025 Virginia National Guard Adjutant General’s Marksmanship Match, held May 16 - 18, 2025, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.
Thirteen officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School celebrate the completion of their OCS experience during a commissioning ceremony held Sept. 15, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The ceremony recognized graduates from both the traditional OCS Class 66 and accelerated Classes 67A and 67B. During the event, the candidates took the oath of office and were pinned with second lieutenant rank by family members and friends. Retired Brig. Gen. James Zollar served as the guest speaker, while the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided musical accompaniment.
VNG Officer Candidate School accepting applications for traditional, accelerated classes 
Nov. 14, 2024
The Virginia National Guard’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute will host Pre-Officer Candidate School at Fort Barfoot for Soldiers interested in attending Traditional Officer Candidate School at Fort Barfoot or Summer Accelerated Commissioning Course at Fort McClellan, Alabama. 
Thirteen officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School celebrate the completion of their OCS experience during a commissioning ceremony held Sept. 15, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The ceremony recognized graduates from both the traditional OCS Class 66 and accelerated Classes 67A and 67B. During the event, the candidates took the oath of office and were pinned with second lieutenant rank by family members and friends. Retired Brig. Gen. James Zollar served as the guest speaker, while the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided musical accompaniment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
VNG celebrates commissioning of 13 new lieutenants
Sept. 25, 2024
The Virginia National Guard celebrated the commissioning of 13 new lieutenants at a ceremony held Sept. 15, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The event marked the end of Officer Candidate School for the candidates enrolled in Class 66, 67A and 67B.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airman assigned to units across the Commonwealth make a strong showing at the Marksmanship Advisory Council Region II marksmanship sustainment exercise, with VNG teams taking second place overall at the competition Aug. 23 - 25, 2024, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. The Virginia National Guard Combat Marksmanship team placed in the top three of every match, having five members in the top ten in every individual event and placing in the top three of every team event. Sgt. Michael McClaskie and Staff Sgt. Colin Ryan finished in first and second respectively in the individual pistol aggregate, while Sgt. 1st Class Jefferey Ice and Ryan finished first and second in the individual rifle aggregate. McClaskie and Ryan also finished first and second in the combined pistol and rifle aggregate.
VNG team makes strong showing at regional marksmanship competition
Sept. 4, 2024
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airman assigned to units across the Commonwealth made a strong showing at the Marksmanship Advisory Council Region II marksmanship sustainment exercise, with VNG teams taking second place overall at the competition Aug. 23 - 25, 2024, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. 
Col. Beau Mason takes command of the Fort Barfoot-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute from Col. Kurt Kobernik during a change of command ceremony Aug. 11, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr. , Commander of the Virginia Army National Guard, presided over the ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Kobernik to Mason. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided music for the ceremony. Read more about RTI at https://ngpa.us/30506.
Mason succeeds Kobernik as 183rd RTI commander
Aug. 20, 2024
Col. Beau Mason took command of the Fort Barfoot-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute from Col. Kurt Kobernik during a change of command ceremony Aug. 11, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.