Newest VNG Soldiers recognized during Military Signing Day
VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan
VaANG cyber warriors defend digital front during Locked Shields 26
Astphan succeeds Rohler as 329th RSG commander
New VNG Soldiers welcomed at First Formation
116th MBCT tests new tech during live-fire exercise
VaARNG Soldiers compete for spot on All Guard Endurance Team
VaANG Airmen bridge gap between F-22, F-35

FEATURED STORIES

Brig. Gen. Charles Martin Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Hawley, the Virginia Army National Guard command team, lead the marching formation of the parade at the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as the 75th Governor of Virginia Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. The formation consisted personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard and Virginia Air National Guard and a joint color guard featuring the U.S. and Virginia flags and the organizational colors of the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Virginia Defense Force. VNG personnel also presented a historical color guard in Revolutionary War-style uniforms to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Read more at https://vngpao.info/ye2dnfbh.
VNG supports 75th Virginia Gubernatorial Inauguration
Jan. 17, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supported the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as the 75th Governor of Virginia Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. VNG personnel conducted a variety of missions including a blank-fire artillery salute, playing ceremonial music and conducting a flyover with F-22 fighter jets. A formation of Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen also led the inaugural parade.
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.

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD NEWS

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger joins Virginia National Guard senior leaders, Soldiers and Airmen to celebrate the Virginia National Guard’s 419th birthday May 14, 2026, near the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. The Virginia National Guard traces its origins to 1607, when Capt. John Smith organized the first militia at Jamestown to defend the Virginia Colony. The ceremony included a cake cutting conducted by the oldest and youngest members of the formation, Spc. Hope Marie Lindquist, a newly assigned Soldier, and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Timothy P. Williams also attended the ceremony.
Virginia National Guard celebrates 419 year of service
May 19, 2026
The Virginia National Guard celebrated its 419th birthday May 14, 2026, during a ceremony in Richmond, Virginia. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger provided remarks, while retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, read aloud the birthday proclamation. 
Spc. Javan Cooper, an 11B infantryman assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, conducts urban movement during the Region II Best Warrior Competition May 6, 2026, at Camp Dawson near Kingwood, West Virginia. The multi-day competition includes finalists from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia who will face a series of challenges, including multiple ruck marches, weapons proficiency tests, a written exam and essay, land navigation and an appearance board. The top competitors from the regional competition will represent the region at the national level later this year in Florida. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
Virginia Soldiers endure miles, mud, minimal sleep at Region II Best Warrior Competition
May 19, 2026
Rain, mud, exhaustion and unrelenting Appalachian terrain challenged Soldiers as they vied for the titles of Best Soldier and Best Noncommissioned Officer during the Region II Best Warrior Competition May 4-7, 2026, at Camp Dawson near Kingwood, West Virginia. Representing the Virginia Army National Guard were Spc. Javan Cooper, an infantryman assigned to the 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, and Staff Sgt. Frederic Newton, a recruiter assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. 
A prevention specialist in the Virginia National Guard’s Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce is the Region 2 Prevention Specialist of the Year, according to an announcement at the National Guard Bureau’s Integrated Primary Prevention Symposium. Destiny Hairston was recognized at the symposium as well by the VNG’s resiliency leaders.
Hairston named top Region 2 prevention specialist
May 19, 2026
 A prevention specialist in the Virginia National Guard’s Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce is the Region 2 Prevention Specialist of the Year, according to an announcement at the National Guard Bureau’s Integrated Primary Prevention Symposium. 
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy staff, cadets and their families enjoy Class 64’s Family Day May 9, 2026, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to spending time with their cadets, family members observed a drill and ceremony demonstration and had the opportunity to meet with CCYA cadre and administrators. CCYA is a 29-and-a-half-month program structured in a military-style environment, designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride. The cadets of Class 64 are scheduled to graduate from the residential portion of the program in June 2026. (U.S. National Guard photo by A.J. Coyne)
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy hosts Family Day for Class 64
May 19, 2026
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy staff, cadets and their families enjoyed Class 64’s Family Day May 9, 2026, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to spending time with their cadets, family members observed a drill and ceremony demonstration and received the opportunity to meet with CCYA cadre and administrators.
Thirty-nine of the Virginia Army National Guard’s newest recruits participate in the Virginia Department of Veteran Services’ Military Signing Day, held May 8, 2026, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. The event included new recruits from the U.S. Army, U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, and provided an opportunity for friends and family members to publicly recognize the new military members. Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Chief Master Sgt. John F. Nye, the VNG’s senior enlisted leader, all gave remarks at the ceremony, and Ring administered the oath of enlistment. Jenna Conway, the Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction also provided remarks. The 29th Infantry Division Band provided fife and drum music for the ceremony.
Newest VNG Soldiers recognized during Military Signing Day
May 18, 2026
Thirty-nine of the Virginia Army National Guard’s newest recruits participated in the Virginia Department of Veteran Services’ Military Signing Day, held May 8, 2026, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. 
Capt. Daniel B. Glass took command of the West Point-based 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group from Capt. Trevon S. Johnson during a change of command ceremony April 10, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Lt. Col. Ryan P. Miner, commander of the 276th, presided over the ceremony and the traditional exchange of unit colors, signifying the transfer of command from Johnson to Glass.
Glass takes command of 237th Engineers
May 18, 2026
Capt. Daniel B. Glass took command of the West Point-based 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group from Capt. Trevon S. Johnson during a change of command ceremony April 10, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. 
Eight Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with members of the Tajik military April 27 – May 1, 2026, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been formal partners since 2003. The exchange focused on developing and refining mountain warfare fundamentals, while fostering collaboration between U.S. and Tajik forces.
VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan 
May 14, 2026
Eight Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with members of the Tajik military April 27 – May 1, 2026, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The Virginia National Guard’s Col. Benjamin Sprouse is promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony May 3, 2026, at the VNG’s Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office, and Spouse’s wife and children pinned his new rank. Sprouse, a former Virginia National Guard state chaplain, currently serves as the National Guard Bureau’s Joint Chaplain, Director of the Office of the Joint Chaplain. The 29th Infantry Division Band performed music for the ceremony.
Chaplain Sprouse promoted to brigadier general
May 12, 2026
The Virginia National Guard’s Col. Benjamin Sprouse pinned on the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony May 3, 2026, at the VNG’s Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.
Six members of the Virginia Air National Guard participated in Locked Shields 2026, an international cyber defense exercise, April 11-25, 2026, in Jyväskylä, Finland. Virginia’s participation was in support of the State Partnership Program, in which the VNG and Finland have been formally partnered since 2024. The exercise is one of the largest international live-fire cyber defense exercises, bringing together about 4,000 participants from 40 nations. The six Virginia Airmen joined with their Finnish partners and other allied nations to enhance their skills in defensing against complex cyber threats.
VaANG cyber warriors defend digital front during Locked Shields 26
May 6, 2026
Six members of the Virginia Air National Guard participated in Locked Shields 2026, an international cyber defense exercise, April 11-25, 2026, in Jyväskylä, Finland.
Col. Alyssa Y. Astphan takes command of the Virginia Army National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Juanita F. Rohler April 19, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr., Land Component Commander for the Virginia Army National Guard, presided over the ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors. The 29th Infantry Division Band provided musical accompaniment to the ceremony. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
Astphan succeeds Rohler as 329th RSG commander
April 27, 2026
Col. Alyssa Y. Astphan took command of the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Juanita Rohler during a ceremony held April 19, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr., the Virginia Army National Guard’s Land Component Commander, presided over the ceremony and exchange of unit colors that signified the transfer of command from Rohler to Astphan.

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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

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