RICHMOND, Va. –
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.
Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Samulski, the 29th ID commanding general, and Col. Shawn Talmadge, DIVARTY commander, gave remarks during the ceremony, which featured scores of current and former DIVARTY Soldiers and officers.
“The history of DIVARTY is one of adaptation, sacrifice and excellence, from the thunder of Normandy’s beaches to the precision of today’s battlefield,” said Samulski. “It’s reactivation today is not merely a structural adjustment, it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to national defense in an uncertain world, and the recognition that large-scale combat operations are a reality of our future.”
“I look across at our leadership and throughout the entire room and I just want to say thank you for the trust and confidence to take this role as we stand up this new unit,” said Talmadge. “It is definitely a unique mission to go from zero and something new, to a fully operational brigade command, and for that I truly appreciate and respect the task at hand.”
Before Samulski and Talmadge’s remarks, the DIVARTY’s executive officer, Lt. Col. Jonathan Fair, provided an in-depth look at the history of the unit, which was de-activated in 2005 due to Army-wide force structure changes.
“The new 29th DIVARTY will continue the proud lineage of its namesake from World War II that provided artillery for the 29th Infantry Division from the beaches of Normandy to Victory in Europe Day,” said Fair.
“The history of DIVARTY is one of adaptation, sacrifice and excellence, from the thunder of Normandy’s beaches to the precision of today’s battlefield,” said Samulski. “It’s reactivation today is not merely a structural adjustment, it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to national defense in an uncertain world, and the recognition that large-scale combat operations are a reality of our future.”
The reactivation of the unit was spurred by evolving operational requirements and a changing vision for the way wars are fought.
“As we look toward the future of warfare, the Army’s making bold investments to ensure artillery returns to being the dominant, agile and lethal force across all domains,” said Talmadge.
“The 29th DIVARTY, with line battalions from Virginia, Florida and Georgia, will focus on planning, executing and assessing combined-arms fires, emphasizing precision strikes in large-scale conflicts,” said Samulski. “More importantly, this reactivation highlight’s the Army’s renewed emphasis on Division-level coordination for multi-domain operation to better prepare for high-intensity warfare.”
Also during the ceremony, Capt. Daniel Parrish and 1st Sgt. Teron Alford were recognized as the command team for DIVARTY’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battery.
Recruitment for the new unit is already underway. Earlier this year, Pvt. Tariq Rahaman became the first Soldier to enlist into the newly reactivated unit during a ceremony at Defense Supply Center Richmond. More information about Rahaman and his enlistment can be found at https://vngpao.info/2p98t74j.
Both Samulski and Talmadge thanked the Soldiers who carried the DIVARTY torch prior to its deactivation in 2005, as well as the Soldiers who are part of the unit’s reactivation.
“To the veterans who carried its colors before: thank you for your service,” said Samulski. “To the Soldiers who man the line today: thank you for what you do and what you’ll be asked to do in service to this great nation.”
“To Soldiers here, you are amazing people, you put others before yourself. We know this is more than just your service, but your families’ service as well, so for that I say thank you,” added Talmadge. “The future of the field artillery is bright. As we activate the DIVARTY today, we now sit front and center. Let’s keep driving forward, because victory starts with readiness, and readiness begins with innovation and hard training. Let’s show the Army and world what we can do.”
Read more DIVARTY at https://vngpao.info/DIVARTY.