VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –
Lt. Col. John R. Crocker succeeded Lt. Col. Emily Huffman as the commander of the Virginia National Guard’s State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, during a ceremony Dec. 5, 2025. Col. Eric Quinn, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett garrison commander, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Huffman to Crocker.
“Thanks to Lt. Col. Huffman for her tireless work and effort she invested here,” Crocker said. “To the staff, I look forward to the work we’ll be doing to maintain the installation so it remains a value-added facility for supporting relevant, realistic training in the ever-changing and increasing complex Virginia National Guard.
“I’m also looking forward to maintaining the effective relationships with community partners,” Crocker added. “There are a lot of different groups involved here at SMR across multiple components and multiple state agencies, as well as local organizations.”
Crocker also thanked his family for their support, as well as the VNG leadership for the opportunity to take command of SMR.
“You have my full faith and trust in your abilities and I definitely look forward to working with you,” Quinn said to Crocker.
Huffman, who served as commander since December 2022, received the Meritorious Service Medal from Quinn, as well as a handful of other gifts.
“Lt. Col. Huffman picked a very challenging time to take command of SMR,” Quinn explained.
While in command Dominion Energy began construction on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project at SMR.
“That’s a massive project and a lot of things that had to be done,” Quinn said. “Just working through that project was massive. She did a great job of not only working with that team but also working with local military partners and the local community.”
“As Air Guard, she was able to tap into Air Guard personnel, equipment and resources an Army Guard commander may not have had access to,” he explained. “Thank you for your commitment and dedication to SMR and we wish you great success in your next position.”
Huffman recognized the M Day personnel on the SMR staff and thanked them for their dedication and service under her command.
“SMR is also supported by a very small but mighty Department of Military Affairs buildings and ground team,” she said. “This team expertly manages and maintains our historically significant and historic grounds. They are truly the unsung heroes of the Guard.”
Huffman also pointed out the performance of the lodging office, specifically Russell Greggs, the SMR lodging manager.
She also thanked the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron for their support of SMR operations.
“No one really knows how hard you all work to make the Virginia National Guard such an excellent organization, but we know,” Huffman said.
Finally, she recognized Sgt. 1st Class Dominic Tucker, SMR noncommissioned officer in charge.
“He is one of the most dedicated and hardest working Soldiers I know,” she said. “You are truly amazing. Words cannot express my appreciation for your support and commitment.”
Cadets from the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy served as the color guard for the ceremony.
SMR is a Virginia Army National Guard facility located just south of the main resort area of Virginia Beach. The facility was originally laid out on approximately 400 acres in 1911 with construction beginning in 1912. Today, SMR occupies approximately 300 acres with an additional 27 acres leased from the federal government.
SMR serves as a vital training installation, not just for the Virginia National Guard, but for personnel from all four branches of the military, both active duty and reserve, local and state first responders, and a variety of community organizations.
Units based at SMR include the Virginia Air National Guard’s 203rd RED HORSE and the Virginia Army National Guard’s 329th Regional Support Group; 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; 1173rd Transportation Company; 576th Engineer Utilities Detachment; and Recruit Sustainment Program 9.
The Virginia Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is also located on SMR.
The Virginia National Guard Funeral Honors Team, the Virginia National Guard Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s office and the Virginia Defense Force are among the programs that regularly train at SMR.
In addition to Army and Air National Guard units, SMR hosts active-duty units from all four branches and the U.S. Coast Guard.
It also hosts training by the Virginia State Police, Virginia Beach Police Department, Virginia Beach Fire Department and the Virginia Fire Marshals Academy.