FORT BARFOOT, Va. –
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, visited members of the Virginia Defense Force during a multi-unit training assembly Nov. 2, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Crenshaw learned more about the organization and thanked the VDF personnel for volunteering their time to conduct training.
Crenshaw started the visit meeting members of the VDF Headquarters staff.
“I recognize that this is a commitment,” Crenshaw told the group. “You are volunteering, and you all recognize the value you can bring to our Virginia National Guard.”
He said he is always impressed with those who are willing to serve, especially with all the things people have going on in their lives. He acknowledged that spending the weekend focusing on developing their talents, VDF personnel were helping make the National Guard more effective.
“It just really moves me that we have men and women who commit themselves to doing something like this and supporting our Commonwealth,” he said.
Crenshaw next visited the VDF’s 31st Cyber Battalion and received an information brief. He acknowledged the importance of the VDF’s cyber capabilities, adding to what the Virginia National Guard provides for cyber defense.
“Thank you for what you do,” he said. “Keep that commitment and keep that motivation because we need you.”
He also received a brief on VDF communications capabilities and presented the Virginia Bronze Star to Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Va.) James Schmidt and Cpl. (Va.) Douglas Rumburg in recognition for their efforts in building the VDF’s communications systems.
While visiting communications training, Crenshaw learned about the different backgrounds of VDF personnel, with some having served in the different branches of the military while others are serving in uniform for the first time.
“Thank you for what you do,” Crenshaw said. “You are doing it because you want to do it, doing it because you think it’s important that you show up, that you learn new technology that’s available, because it does enhance our ability as a Commonwealth to be able to deliver if needed.”
Brig. Gen. (Va.) Rich Diddams, Commander of the VDF, shared the feedback Crenshaw provided.
“Secretary Crenshaw told me he was very impressed with what he saw today,” Diddams said. “He said the VDF is a great return on investment for the commonwealth and sees the extraordinary value in the capabilities the VDF provides to augment the National Guard. Now we have to challenge ourselves, continue to build and improve our skills and maintain a high level of professionalism in everything we do.”
Diddams said he has a debt of gratitude to the VDF troops for what they are doing and commended them for their contributions to the Commonwealth of Virginia. He also asked everyone to go home and thank their families for their vital support to the VDF’s mission.
Training conducted over the three days of the MUTA included land navigation, point of distribution operation, officer and noncommissioned officer professional development and wellness, said Maj. (Va.) Michael Perini, the VDF’s G3 operations and training officer. VDF personnel also conducted classroom training, including instruction on the Statewide Agencies Radio System and Barrett Radio packages.
Six VDF personnel and two Virginia National Guard Soldiers passed the Federal Communication Commission amateur radio license exam administered by the Virginia Defense Force Radio Group, qualifying them for the entry-level Technician class license. VDF personnel who passed the exam are now authorized to wear the “Technician” tab on their uniforms.
As part of the VDF commander’s emphasis on wellness, VDF personnel conducted mental health awareness training as well as a resiliency ruck march to demonstrate the multiple components of wellness that prepare individuals for complete readiness, Perini said.
Perini recognized the efforts of several VDF officers who planned and executed land navigation training.
“Warrant Officer 1 (Va.) Kenneth Taylor led a team consisting of 1st Lt. (Va.) Chris Connor, 1st Lt. (Va.) Anthony Schienschang, and 2nd Lt. (Va.) Charles Leftwich, and they advanced training through the redesign, instruction and assessment of land navigation coursework,” Perini said. “Taylor and the team’s administrative acumen proffers replicable means for the VDF to continue this training in future MUTA evolutions and established rapport with Virginia National Guard counterparts in several organizational outlets.”
At final formation on Sunday, Brig. Gen. Rich Diddams, commander of the Virginia Defense Force, presented awards and also promoted several VDF personnel.
The VDF continues to train in order to build to a higher level of readiness. Just a month earlier, VDF personnel conducted the “Highland Guardian” statewide readiness exercise.
“The ultimate goal for the exercise was to conduct safe operations at home station armories across the state incorporating our organic communications and access control capabilities in a simulated winter storm environment,” Perini said.
VDF personnel fielded approximately 30 notional emergency response requests while managing interruptions developed by “Red Cell” operatives testing vulnerabilities in access control and communication security.
“The relative irony of this exercise is that it occurred during the emergency response support for Hurricane Helene,” Perini said. “Prospective leadership of the exercise altered at the last minute due to personnel deployment with the Virginia National Guard. As a result, troops had to step up and lead on short notice, providing a realistic replication of events that occur during emergencies.”
Perini said plans always change when the operation gets moving.
“Gaining that insight and perspective during an exercise is invaluable for active duty missions,” he said. Flexibility, adaptability and quick reaction are essential for command success, and these junior leaders develop that during exercises like Highland Guardian.”