29th Division Artillery
Enlistment marks return of 29th DIVARTY
RICHMOND, Va. — After nearly two decades, the Virginia Army National Guard celebrated the return of the 29th Division Artillery with the enlistment of Pvt. Tariq Rahaman in a ceremony held Jan. 14, 2025, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Col. Shawn Talmadge, commander of the new unit, administered Rahaman’s oath and spoke about the significance of the event.
“We’re building a new unit in Virginia, and that doesn’t come but every couple decades,” Talmadge said. “We’re really excited about the activation of the 29th Division Artillery, and in preparation for that, the Recruiting and Retention Battalion is working hard and so what we have today is Pvt. Rahaman, who will be the first new Soldier enlisted into the 29th Division Artillery.”
Talmadge explained that the new unit's official activation will come later this year, in the summer, and that the Virginia Army National Guard’s recruiting team has already started working to fill its ranks. The 29th DIVARTY will be based in Bowling Green, Virginia, with a strength of around 250 Soldiers.
“The 29th DIVARTY will plan, prepare, execute and assess combined arms operations to provide close support and precision strike for the 29th Infantry Division,” said Maj. Jonathan Fair, executive officer for the 29th DIVARTY, which, he explained is a returned capability to the state. At the close of annual training in 2005, Fort Barfoot echoed with the roar of cannon fire, the air thick with gun smoke, as the 29th DIVARTY conducted its final salute. Later that year, a small ceremony at the 29th Division Headquarters at Fort Belvoir marked the official deactivation of the historic unit.
“The new 29th DIVARTY will continue the proud lineage of its namesake from World War II that provided artillery for the 29th Infantry Division from the beaches of Normandy to Victory in Europe Day,” Fair said.
The 29th DIVARTY was shuttered in 2005 due to U.S. Army-wide changes to force structure, and, similarly, a shifting of focus brought the unit back to Virginia.
“In preparation for the Army’s focus on Large Scale Combat Operations, the U.S. Army is reintroducing DIVARTYs back into the National Guard,” Fair said.
Before administering the oath of enlistment to Rahaman, Talmadge explained that he will serve as a 35F Intelligence Analyst.
“He’s going to help us identify the enemy, figure out where they’re located and then help us influence how to engage, whether that’s through lethal or nonlethal means,” Talmadge said.
At just 21-years-old, Rahaman said he was excited for the opportunity to serve in the new unit, and for the opportunities available in the organization.
“So far, my experience has been really nice. Everyone is really cool, everyone is really respectful, and I feel like I’m at home,” Rahaman said. “It’s pretty cool to be the first in.”
Currently, Rahaman is studying computer science at Northern Virginia Community College, and said he had several motivators for joining the Virginia Army National Guard.
“I looked into it and was like, ‘wow, it comes with a lot of opportunities,’” he said. “Besides the financial benefits, it comes with discipline, a better mentality and I feel like it’s something that could lead me to a better future.”
Rahaman is scheduled to begin initial training later this year, in May. In anticipation of that, he’ll start attending regular one-weekend-a-month drill periods with the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program, which will ensure he is physically, mentally and administratively ready for the rigors of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training.
As the 29th DIVARTY prepares for their official activation later this year, the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion is seeking eligible individuals to serve in the new unit. Military occupational specialties with numerous vacancies include the following: 13F Fire Support Specialist, 25H Network Communications System Specialist, 25U Signal Operations Support Specialist, 35F Intelligence Analyst, 35G Imagery Specialist, 42A Human Resources Specialist, 68W Combat Medic Specialist and 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic.
To learn more about these career fields or to contact a recruiter, visit nationalguard.com/va.