180th Engineer Support Company officially begins mission in Horn of Africa
429th line companies get refresh during transformation to LSB
First Formation streamlines new VaARNG Soldier onboarding process
VNG recruiters, aviation battalion honor area 9-year-old with ceremonial promotion
116th MBCT Soldiers field Infantry Squad Vehicle
116th Infantry Regiment Soldiers gather for 57th Annual Muster
Red Dragon Soldiers compete for scout platoon selection
VDF Chaplain joins VaARNG ranks

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

The Virginia National Guard’s Danville-based 429th Light Support Battalion conducts a casing of the colors ceremony for Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies Nov. 14, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia, marking the conclusion of their storied service under the BSB structure. The 429th Brigade Support Battalion was officially designated as the 429th Light Support Battalion Oct. 16, 2025, the new company designations are part of the ongoing U.S. Army transformation initiative. The battalion’s Headquarters and Alpha Company merged into the Headquarters and Distribution Company, Bravo Company became the new Alpha Company and Charlie Company was designated as Bravo Company.
429th line companies get refresh during transformation to LSB 
Dec. 1, 2025
The Virginia National Guard’s Danville-based 429th Light Support Battalion formally conducted a casing of the colors ceremony for Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies Nov. 14, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia, marking the conclusion of their storied service under the BSB structure. 
Soldiers returning from Advanced Individual Training or One Station Unit Training are officially welcomed to the Virginia Army National Guard at the First Formation Nov. 6, 2025, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. During the event, Soldiers received equipment at the Central Issue Facility and reviewed their administrative records as well as pay and benefits authorizations and addressed any issues. At the conclusion of the event, they were welcomed to their new assignment with an organizational patch from a unit representative. Future “First Formation” events are scheduled to occur monthly with the goal of ensuring Soldier readiness and seamless integration into their assigned units.
First Formation streamlines new VaARNG Soldier onboarding process 
Nov. 26, 2025
The Virginia Army National Guard held its inaugural First Formation, a concept designed to help integrate new Soldiers into the organization, Nov. 6, 2025, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. 
Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers honor John Paul Macri, 9, with a ceremonial promotion to the rank of staff sergeant during a visit to the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. Earlier this year, Macri began to experience balance issues and double vision. Doctors discovered a rabidly growing brain tumor primarily affecting young children. During his visit to the AASF, Macri and his family were able to climb aboard both a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a UH-72 Lakota helicopter. Additionally, a ceremony held in Macri’s honor served as an honorary promotion for the boy, where he also received his Army Aviator Badge. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
VNG recruiters, aviation battalion honor area 9-year-old with ceremonial promotion
Nov. 26, 2025
Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers honored John Paul Macri, 9, with a ceremonial promotion to the rank of staff sergeant during a visit to the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. Earlier this year, Macri began to experience balance issues and double vision. In March, doctors discovered a rapidly growing brain tumor and diagnosed him with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers from units across the Staunton-based 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team conduct Infantry Squad Vehicle Operator New Equipment Training on the Staff Sgt. Jesse Ault Wheeled Vehicle Obstacle Course Nov. 14, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The 116th is the first National Guard infantry brigade to convert to the mobile brigade combat team, and the ISV fielding is a critical step towards increasing the brigade’s mobility on the battlefield. Read more about the 116th’s conversion to an MBCT at https://vngpao.info/4553f7dm.
116th MBCT Soldiers field Infantry Squad Vehicle
Nov. 24, 2025
Virginia National Guard Soldiers from units across the Staunton-based 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team conducted Infantry Squad Vehicle Operator New Equipment Training Nov. 10-14, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.
Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, move through a scout selection assessment Nov. 15, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia, as they compete for positions within the battalion's scout platoon. Candidates completed physical and technical tasks ranging from the Air Assault Obstacle Course and ruck march to weapons, communications and medical skill lanes during the multi-day evaluation.
Red Dragon Soldiers compete for scout platoon selection
Nov. 18, 2025
Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team spent the week ending Nov. 16, 2025, pushing their limits during a demanding Scout Selection Board designed to identify the battalion’s next generation of reconnaissance leaders.
Daniel Ripley, a former Virginia Defense Force chaplain, formally swears in and is commissioned a first lieutenant in the Virginia Army National Guard Oct. 29, 2025, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Will Cochrane, the VNG deputy full-time support chaplain, swore in Ripley, making him the first chaplain to join the VaARNG ranks directly from the VDF. Col. Seung Lee, Virginia Army National Guard state chaplain, and Ripley’s family were in attendance for the brief ceremony.
VDF Chaplain joins VaARNG ranks
Nov. 17, 2025
A Virginia Defense Force chaplain formally swore in and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Virginia Army National Guard Oct. 29, 2025, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. 
The 180th Engineer Support Company command team unfurls their unit guidon to mark the official start of their federal active duty mission in the Horn of Africa Oct. 20, 2025, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
180th Engineer Support Company officially begins mission in Horn of Africa
Nov. 17, 2025
The Virginia National Guard’s Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Support Company officially begin their mission to support Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa with a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 20, 2025, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Fort Barfoot hosts runners and walkers for the installation’s second annual 5K Turkey Trot Nov. 27, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Runners included Virginia National Guard Soldiers and family members, as well as Fort Barfoot civilian employees and members of the local community. Col. James C. Shaver Jr., the Fort Barfoot garrison commander, provided opening remarks before the race. Holden Wells and Katie Martin had the fastest finishing times and were recognized after the race.
Registration open for 2025 Fort Pickett 5K Turkey Trot
Nov. 14, 2025
Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett will host its annual 5K Turkey Trot Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, one day ahead of the Thanksgiving Holiday. 
Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team is recognized as the company in the 116th with the highest state of readiness with the 2025 Superior Unit Award Nov. 8, 2025, in Staunton, Virginia.
116th Infantry Regiment Soldiers gather for 57th Annual Muster
Nov. 13, 2025
Currently-serving and veteran Soldiers of the 116th Infantry Regiment gathered with loved ones and invited guests for the 57th Annual 116th Regimental Muster Nov. 8, 2025, in Staunton, Virginia.
Virginia National Guard logo
Financial support available to Virginia National Guardsmen
Nov. 4, 2025
The Virginia National Guard has multiple resources ready to help service members and their families navigate difficult financial situations, including government shutdowns, designed to help those in the VNG family cope during hardships. 

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...