Virginia National Guard

HR specialist talks career, future plans and inclusion
February 24, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. – Joining the Virginia Army National Guard in 2018 was a decision Spc. Kyndall Robinson did not take lightly. Initially interested in the Air Force, Robinson took a year and a half to research and consider her options. ... MORE

Spc. Kyndall Robinson, assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group, reflects on her time in the National Guard Feb. 8, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

ChalleNGe cadets excel, set to graduate during COVID-adjusted class
February 23, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia -- Class 54 of the Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is scheduled to graduate March 20, 2021, and for the staff and cadets of the program, it will be the culmination of a five-month class that was both virtual and in-person and required coordination with and support of the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education. ... MORE

Financial counseling offered to VNG Soldiers returning from D.C.
February 23, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — As Virginia National Guard Soldiers returned from duty assisting law enforcement in Washington D.C., they began the reverse reception, staging, onward movement and integration process at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett. As part of the process, Soldiers got the opportunity to visit with Virginia National Guard Family Programs representatives, including personal financial counselors, who are able to offer a wide range of knowledge and guidance aimed at helping the VNG’s personnel maintain financial health and readiness. ... MORE

Michael Muldowney, one of two personal financial counselors available to Virginia National Guard personnel, offer services to VNG Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 116th Infantry Regiment, as the out-process from duty in Washington, D.C. Feb. 8, 2021, at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett.

Retention team finds success as Soldiers return from D.C. mission
February 22, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — When Soldiers returned to Virginia after supporting law enforcement in Washington, D.C, they were met by a bustling operation at Fort Pickett. This was the final phase of their mission, the part that made sure their orders were processed, their travel vouchers filed. Among the many stations set up there, was one for retention. Thanks to the efforts of the Virginia National Guard’s retention team, a total of 106 Soldiers successfully extended their enlistments. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion talk to Soldiers about retention as they out-process following their support to law enforcement in Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sg. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

VNG Soldier supporting COVID fight says he joined to help community
February 18, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. -- Growing up, Spc. TreyVon Meekins was an honor roll student, participated in extracurricular activities and was an active member of his church. He says faith always played an important role in his life and has shaped his personal values and commitment to service. He found the National Guard a few years after high school. After caring for his ailing grandmother until her death in 2013, he worked in the civilian sector until making the decision to enlist in the Virginia Army National Guard... MORE

Spc. TreyVon Meekins, assigned to the Virginia National Guard's Bravo Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Recruiter talks Guard benefits, importance of recognizing Black leaders
February 18, 2021 — NORFOLK, Va. -- For Sgt. 1st Class Gertha L. Cleveland, a recruiter with the Virginia Army National Guard, a point of personal pride is her service in all three components of the U.S. Army. Over the course of her military career, she’s served on active duty and in both the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Cleveland first served in the USAR before entering active duty. She then took a break from her military career. Just over a year later, a National Guard recruiter contacted her and, realizing she missed her military family, she was quickly convinced the National Guard was right for her. Two weeks after her initial conversation with the recruiter, she enlisted in the National Guard... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Gertha L. Cleveland, assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion, shares stories about her military experience and what African American History Month means to her Feb 10, 2021, in Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

VNG completes mission in Washington, D.C.
February 11, 2021 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — The last group of Virginia National Guard personnel assisting civilian law enforcement with security operations at the 59th Presidential Inauguration and the days before and after the event departed Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, 2021... MORE

Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine present thank you letters to Col. Chris Samulski, commander of the Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Feb. 8, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

VNG preventive medicine officer talks vaccine, military service and diversity
February 10, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. -- In high school, after high school and in college, 1st Lt. Andrew Curtis thought about joining the military. Each time, he was dissuaded by friends and family. Then, at 30, as a husband and father of three, he learned about the National Guard. He wanted a change of pace from his corporate career, and joining the Virginia National Guard seemed like the perfect opportunity. ... MORE

First Lt. Andrew Curtis, preventive medicine officer for the Virginia National Guard

Rose promoted to major general
February 10, 2021 — PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Brig. Gen. Michelle M. Rose was promoted to major general Dec. 18, 2020, during a ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado... MORE

Brig. Gen. Michelle M. Rose is promoted to major general Dec. 18, 2020, during a ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Through trauma, 192nd Wing Airman works to end bullying, boost confidence in children
February 10, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va.— The year was 2018 when Rebecca Adams was crushed by the news her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Adams has no siblings, and her mother raised her as a single parent in Portsmouth, Virginia. Needless to say, their relationship could be described as nothing less than “very close.” In 2019, the two celebrated receiving college degrees together, in the same month!... MORE

Army National Guard transitions cyber task force mission
February 8, 2021 — The transition of authority between two Army National Guard battalions was a quiet and seamless affair, taking place without the traditional ‘pomp and circumstance’ normally associated with significant Army events. The transition marked the end of a 15-month deployment for the Soldiers of the 124th Cyber Protection Battalion (CPB), who hail from Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Virginia and Utah, and the beginning for the Army National Guardsmen of the 123rd CPB, who call Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia, and Wisconsin their home states... MORE

29th Infantry Division to deploy to Middle East in Spring 2021
February 4, 2021 — FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division has received a mobilization order for federal active duty in the Middle East, according to an announcement made Feb. 4, 2021, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. In Spring 2021, more than 500 Soldiers of the 29th will begin a 10-month long deployment in the Central Command Area of Operations as Task Force Spartan to provide leadership, command, control and in-depth staff analysis for Operation Spartan Shield. While based at Fort Belvoir, Soldiers assigned to the 29th Infantry Division live all throughout Virginia and Maryland... MORE

Virginia Guard SGM chosen for U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program
February 3, 2021 — RICHMOND, Virginia - A Virginia Army National Guard sergeant major has been selected for the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program and will spend two years as an instructor at the USASMA in Fort Bliss, Texas... MORE

Virginia Guard logistics community provides vital equipment, supplies to D.C. mission
January 27, 2021 — Richmond, Virginia -- The Virginia National Guard’s mission in Washington, D.C., leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration required an unprecedented effort from the Virginia National Guard logistics community. Virginia Army National Guard logistics personnel provided uniforms and equipment to the more than 2,400 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen on duty in Washington, D.C. They established a mobile Central Issue Facility which delivered cold weather gear and mission essential equipment directly to the Soldiers... MORE

Logistics Soldiers provide uniforms, equipment to D.C. mission

29th Infantry Division supports 59th Presidential Inauguration
January 27, 2021 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division assisted federal agencies in securing the nation’s capital during the 59th Presidential Inauguration. The 29th ID Soldiers were among more than 26,000 National Guard members from 50 states and three territories who were activated to support the inauguration by augmenting the Capitol Police, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Police and D.C. Metro Police Department. ... MORE

29th ID DCG leads 9,000 member task force at Presidential Inauguration

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