FEATURED STORIES

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct a movement to contact training lane June 17, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The 116th is the first Army National Guard brigade to test the approved task organization for a mobile brigade combat team, and it will be evaluated during a 21-day eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation.
116th IBCT officially converted to mobile brigade combat team
Oct. 17, 2025
​​​​​​​The Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was officially converted to the 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team effective Oct. 16, 2025, by the Army Structure Memorandum, commonly referred to as the ARSTRUC.

The Virginia National Guard formally re-activates the 29th Infantry Division Artillery, or DIVARTY, during a ceremony Sept. 6, 2025, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presided over the ceremony featuring the uncasing of colors for DIVARTY and DIVARTY’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battery. Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Samulski, the 29th ID commanding general, and Col. Shawn Talmadge, DIVARTY commander, gave remarks, and the Troutville-based 29th ID Band provided ceremonial music for the event. The DIVARTY, based in Bowling Green, Virginia, is a brigade-level headquarters, aligned with the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, and two other artillery battalions in Florida and Georgia for training. The 29th DIVARTY was deactivated in 2005 due to Army-wide force structure changes, but evolving operational requirements have brought it back to the force. Read more DIVARTY at https://vngpao.info/DIVARTY.
Ceremony formalizes return of 29th ID DIVARTY
Sept. 18, 2025
The Virginia National Guard formally re-activated the 29th Infantry Division Artillery, or DIVARTY, during a ceremony Sept. 6, 2025, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presided over the ceremony featuring the uncasing of colors for DIVARTY and DIVARTY’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battery.

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD NEWS

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group load a Caterpillar D6K Dozer onto a West Virginia Air National Guard C-130J Super Hercules while supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Dec. 3, 2025. The Soldiers used specialized equipment to break down and load the dozer for movement to an outstation, the first time a dozer has been transported via air in that area of operation.
180th ESC completes historic equipment movement in Africa
Jan. 7, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group completed a historic equipment movement while on federal active duty supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Dec. 3, 2025. 

The Virginia National Guard’s Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group conducts a departure ceremony Sept. 8, 2025, at Powhatan High School in Powhatan, Virginia. The unit will conduct pre-mobilization training in Texas before deploying to support Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and U.S. Africa Command to enhance regional stability and strengthen relationships with partner nations through construction projects across the region. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr., commander the Virginia Army National Guard, and Capt. Catherine Bean, commander of the 180th, gave remarks to the unit and gathered family and loved ones. Volunteers with the Virginia Defense Force provided parking assistance, and Powhatan High School Junior ROTC cadets acted as the color guard for the ceremony.
Governor-elect Spanberger to reappoint Ring as Adjutant General
Jan. 5, 2026
Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will reappoint Maj. Gen. James W. Ring as the Adjutant General of Virginia according to an announcement made Jan. 5, 2026.

Headshots of participants in the Hybrid Executive Career Transition Accelerator Seminar at MOAA HQ in Alexandria, Va. on Nov. 14, 2025. (Mike Morones/MOAA)
Kipling appointed as deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs
Jan. 5, 2026
Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed retired Virginia Army National Guard Col. Lesley Kipling to serve as the deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs, according to an announcement made Jan. 5, 2025.

Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, and Lt. Col. John Crocker, the State Military Reservation commander, recognize and thank DMA state employees for their hard work and dedication during an employee appreciation luncheon Dec. 19, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During the luncheon several DMA employees were recognized for their years of service to the organization. The Virginia Department of Military Affairs is the state agency that provides leadership and administrative support to the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. Read more about DMA at vngpao.info/3xfv3msy. (U.S. National Guard photo by A.J. Coyne)
DMA recognizes SMR state employees during appreciation event
Dec. 29, 2025
Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, and Lt. Col. John Crocker, the State Military Reservation commander, recognized and thanked DMA state employees for their hard work and dedication during an employee appreciation luncheon Dec. 19, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduates 40 cadets during a ceremony for Class 63 Dec. 18, 2025, at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Col. Jeff Wagstaff, Senior Army Advisor to the Virginia Army National Guard, Jen Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe, Jerome Ferrette, the CCYA deputy director, and Juan Guisti, an alumnus of CCYA Class 8 and guest speaker for the event, congratulated each of the graduates on completing the five-and-a-half month-long residential portion of the program. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the music for the ceremony. Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. ChalleNGe is a 17-and-a-half-month program that is structured in a military-style environment designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride. (U.S. National Guard photo by A.J. Coyne)
Class 63 cadets graduate from Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy
Dec. 23, 2025
The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 40 cadets during a ceremony for Class 63 Dec. 18, 2025, at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Col. Jeff Wagstaff, Senior Army Advisor to the Virginia Army National Guard, Jen Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe, Jerome Ferrette, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe deputy director, and Juan Guisti, an alumnus of CCYA Class 8 and the guest speaker for the ceremony, congratulated each of the graduates on completing the five-and-a-half month-long residential portion of the program.

Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams
Former AG Williams named Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs 
Dec. 22, 2025
Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, who served as the 28th Adjutant General of Virginia, was selected by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to serve as the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, according to a news release from the incoming governor’s communications team Dec. 22, 2025. 

Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, and Col. Eric L. Quinn, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett garrison commander, recognize and thank Department of Military Affairs employees during an employee appreciation luncheon Dec. 16, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Hubbard and Quinn gave remarks during the event, thanking the DMA workers for their hard work during 2025. Employees celebrating milestone employment anniversaries were recognized, as was the team responsible for organizing and decorating the holiday season event. Read more about DMA at https://vngpao.info/3xfv3msy.
Senior leaders recognize DMA state employees during luncheon
Dec. 17, 2025
Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, and Col. Eric L. Quinn, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett garrison commander, recognized and thanked Department of Military Affairs employees during an employee appreciation luncheon Dec. 16, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. 

Virginia National Guard logo
Senior enlisted leader assignments announced for 116th MBCT, 183rd RTI and 192nd Wing
Dec. 16, 2025
New senior noncommissioned officers are taking responsibility in the Virginia Army and Air National Guards, according to announcements made by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia.

Six Virginia Army National Guard infantrymen earned the Expert Infantryman Badge after days of rigorous testing that culminated in an Oct. 31, 2025, ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, conducted the testing at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Four Soldiers — Staff Sgt. Joshua Patton, Staff Sgt. Ivo Garner, Sgt. Carter Cooper and Spc. Javan Cooper — serve with the Staunton-based 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, while two — Sgt. 1st Class Jon Valdizan and Staff Sgt. Chad Owen — are assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute.
Six Virginia National Guard Soldiers earn EIB
Dec. 16, 2025
Six Virginia Army National Guard infantrymen earned the Expert Infantryman Badge after days of rigorous testing that culminated in an Oct. 31, 2025, ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, conducted the testing at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.

Cadets of Class 63 of the Virginia Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy experience an interactive, educational simulation designed to help them gain practical insight into real-world financial decision-making Nov. 15, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Through assigned life scenarios, the Reality Store forced students to manage a monthly budget and make informed choices about housing, transportation, food, childcare, insurance, and other essential expenses.Commonwealth ChalleNGe is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. ChalleNGe is a 29-and-a-half-month program which includes a five-and-a-half-month residential phase, followed by a 24-month post-residential phase. It is free to Virginia teens aged 15 ½ - 18.
Reality Store give ChalleNGe cadets insight into real-world financial decisions
Dec. 12, 2025
Cadets of Class 63 of the Virginia Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy experienced an interactive, educational simulation designed to help them gain practical insight into real-world financial decision-making Nov. 15, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

JOIN US!




 

ABOUT THE VA NATIONAL GUARD

The Virginia National Guard is a unique dual-status force with a federal mission to provide a combat reserve for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to fight our nation’s wars and a state mission to provide a response force that answers the call of the Governor to defend the commonwealth. The VNG traces the history and tradition of Citizen-Soldier service to the founding of Jamestown in 1607, and there has been a military presence defending Virginia ever since. For more information on the Virginia National Guard click HERE.

J9 Resiliency Directorate Financial Assistance Information

A consolidated list of resources available to assist during periods of financial hardship or government disruption.

Click HERE to download this information as a PDF

Virginia National Guard Family Programs
24 Hour Emergency Hotline:
434-480-6585

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & RESPONSE

  • Virginia National Guard Reporting sexual assault line - 434-294-4669
  • DoD Safe Helpline - 877-995-5247/ 202-470-5546 (Oconus)

RESILIENCY RESOURCES

The Virginia National Guard J9 Directorate of Resiliency brings together Soldier-care efforts under one umbrella and includes: 

  • the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce
  • Family Programs
  • Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention
  • Religious Support
  • the State Equal Employment Manager
  • the Sexual Assault Response Workforce

QUICK LINKS

Redirecting...