Virginia National Guard

VNG aviation battalion ends mission in Kosovo
October 14, 2022 — The Virginia National Guard's Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division officially ended its mission in Kosovo as Kosovo Force’s Regional Command-East welcomed the Soldiers of their new aviation task force during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 11, 2022, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo... MORE

VNG celebrates 18 new OCS graduates
October 14, 2022 — The Virginia Army National Guard welcomed 18 officer candidates from Officer Candidate School classes 64, 65A and 65B during a ceremony held Sept. 18, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Eighteen officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School traditional and accelerated program celebrate their OCS graduation Sept. 18, 2022 at a ceremony held at Fort Pickett’s 183rdRegiment, Regional Training Institute in front of family, friends, fellow Soldiers and leaders. The graduation included candidates from OCS Class 64, as well as 65A and 65B. Retired Col. Fred Bolton served as the guest speaker for the event and Lt. Col. Eric Quinn administered the oath of office to the new lieutenants. The Troutville-based 29th Division Band provided ceremonial music for the occasion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

VNG Soldier celebrates heritage by honoring family's independence
October 12, 2022 — In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15 each year, largely because that date marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. For Pvt. Alexander Ayala, born to a Peruvian father and a Salvadoran mother, National Hispanic Heritage Month is all about celebrating the unique cultures of his family, as well as their independence... MORE

Cyber Fortress exercise brings together federal, state, private sector partners
October 10, 2022 — Approximately 20 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen took part in the Cyber Fortress exercise with numerous public and private sector partners including Dominion Energy, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Department of Information Technology, the Virginia State Police and other local, state and federal organizations Sept. 21-30, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

Deployed NCO talks family importance for Hispanic Heritage Month
October 5, 2022 — Sgt. 1st Class Beatrice Nettles first joined the National Guard to help fund her college career. She started her military experience in Florida in 2000 and then transferred to Virginia in 2006. What she quickly discovered was an environment she absolutely loved. Her favorite part of serving in the deep bonds she’s made with those she’s served alongside... MORE

Soccer, cuisine & holidays central to Colombian heritage for 88M PFC
October 5, 2022 — Pfc. Cristian Contreras-Olaya moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, when he was just 4-years-old. Born in Colombia, he said his mother, a single parent at the time of their move, wanted to provide a better life for him and his sister. Today, Contreras serves in the Virginia Army National Guard as an 88M Motor Transport Operator in the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group. ... MORE

VNG supports statewide severe weather response
October 4, 2022 — After staging Soldiers and Airmen with tactical trucks and chain saws at multiple locations across the state for possible severe weather response, the Virginia National Guard transitioned back to routine operations Oct. 4, 2022... MORE

VNG staged, ready in Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads areas for possible weather response operations

SMP cadet trains alongside British Army in training abroad opportunity
October 4, 2022 — Cadet Jack Milenski knocked a long-time goal off his bucket list when he spent the spring of his sophomore year training alongside the British Army in the United Kingdom. Milenski, enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program and now a junior at the Virginia Military Institute, experienced a semester abroad at the University of Salford, outside Manchester, England... MORE

Cadet Jack Milenski knocked a long-time goal off his bucket list when he spent the spring of his sophomore year training alongside the British Army in the United Kingdom. Milenski, enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program and now a junior at the Virginia Military Institute, experienced a semester abroad at the University of Salford, outside Manchester, England.

VNG State Tuition Assistance Program updated to reimbursement model
October 4, 2022 — Due to a change in state legislation, the Virginia National Guard’s State Tuition Assistance Program, or STAP, will move to a reimbursement model beginning Sept. 15, 2022, with the opening of the application period for the spring 2023 semester. Previously, grants provided under the STAP were paid directly to schools at the start of each semester. Under the new model, students who participate in STAP will be reimbursed following successful completion of their courses at the end of the semester. The change is the next step in the Adjutant General of Virginia’s long-term goal of having the General Assembly approve free tuition at Virginia colleges and universities for Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard staged and ready for possible severe weather response operations
September 30, 2022 — The Virginia National Guard has staged approximately 60 Soldiers and Airmen at key locations in the Abingdon, Roanoke, Richmond and Virginia Beach areas for possible severe weather response operations related to Hurricane Ian Sept. 30, 2022, and they are prepared to provide high mobility transportation and debris reduction assistance if needed... MORE

VNG Soldiers staged, ready for possible Hurricane Ian response operations

MTC leaders gain historical insights during staff ride
September 30, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett attended a senior leader staff ride to Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park Sept. 18, 2022, in Rice, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG Soldier reflects on Hispanic heritage and mother's motivation
September 29, 2022 — Spc. Rosa Willett joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 2019 as an 88M Motor Transport Operator. Originally from Cancun, Mexico, Willett moved to Newport News, Virginia, when she was little, and now serves in the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group and assists with recruiting in her local area... MORE

Spc. Rosa Willett

(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Virginia National Guard installation, brigade and battalion command selections announced
September 28, 2022 — The Adjutant General of Virginia announced officers who have been selected for command in the Virginia National Guard at the instillation, brigade and battalion level... MORE

Virginia Guard SGM completes master's with USASMA Fellowship Program
September 27, 2022 — In 2021, Sgt. Maj. Jon Whaley was selected for the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program. Now, he’s partway through the program, and holds a Master of Science degree in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University’s School of Education... MORE

Sgt. Maj. Jon Whaley graduates with a Masters of Science degree in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University’s School of Education during a ceremony held Aug. 23, 2022, at Fort Bliss, Texas. Whaley is participating in the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program.

VNG H2F team weighs in on top ACFT questions
September 26, 2022 — RICHMOND, Va. – Starting in October, the Army Combat Fitness Test becomes the U.S. Army’s official physical fitness test of record for certain Soldiers. It’s a big change from the Army Physical Fitness Test so we rounded up some of the most-asked questions concerning the ACFT and took them to the experts, Capt. Brian Harder, a physical therapist in the Virginia National Guard and the regional Holistic Health and Fitness lead, and Master Sgt. Ramon Abreu-Perez, the Virginia National Guard’s Holistic Health and Fitness project officer and Master Fitness Trainer coordinator... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers compete in a Battalion Army Combat Fitness Test Challenge Feb. 28, 2020, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Soldiers competed in teams of three, with one officer, one noncommissioned officer and one junior enlisted Soldier. (U.S. National Guard photo by Mike Vrabel)

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