RICHMOND, Va. –
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.
Maj. Will Cochrane, the VNG deputy full-time support chaplain, swore in 1st Lt. Daniel 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.
Ripley most recently served as the VDF deputy command chaplain after beginning his VDF career in 2018.
“I saw a post online for joining the Virginia Defense Force,” said Ripley. “At the time, their slogan was "Virginians Helping Virginians" which I thought was right up my alley. I had already been serving as a chaplain for some public safety and disaster response organizations for a while, so I inquired about their Chaplain Candidate program.”
Ripley said that program was still under development, so he began his VDF journey in the Civil Support and Security Platoon. At the same time, Ripley was going through seminary, completing it in 2021.
From that point on, he served in the VDF’s chaplain ranks, serving in that role for just over four years.
For Ripley, his desire to serve in uniform began early.
“As a kid, I joined a public safety bagpipe band, which sparked my interest in giving back to those who sacrifice daily to protect and serve those in need,” said Ripley.
That interest, coupled with his commitment to faith, directly contributed to Ripley’s desire to pursue chaplaincy.
“As a minister, I've found that being a chaplain allows you to be present in difficult situations where others in need are more receptive to the Gospel message,” Ripley said.
Now, Ripley will take on a new challenge, but one he believes in strongly, having witnessed the interaction between the VDF and VNG in his volunteer role.
“While I enjoyed serving the commonwealth in the VDF, God opened up a door for what I believe will be a greater ministry footprint in the VaARNG,” Ripley explained. “The VDF chaplain corps has always had a close relationship with the VNG, and because of that partnership, I started to consider transitioning. In February this year I had an opportunity to serve on State Active Duty during the winter storm, working alongside our Guard counterparts, and I think that experience really cemented my desire to transition from the VDF.
Ripley is being assigned to the Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group. He says he is looking forward to his new challenge wearing a different uniform.
“I’m excited about greater opportunities to minister to those in need, encouraging them and pointing them to the love of Christ.”
Read more about the VDF at https://vngpao.info/ycxedvwv.