Virginia National Guard > News - Category Army Guard

Chaplain Sprouse promoted to brigadier general
May 12, 2026 — The Virginia National Guard’s Col. Benjamin Sprouse pinned on the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony May 3, 2026, at the VNG’s Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia... MORE

Astphan succeeds Rohler as 329th RSG commander
April 27, 2026 — Col. Alyssa Y. Astphan took command of the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Juanita Rohler during a ceremony held April 19, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr., the Virginia Army National Guard’s Land Component Commander, presided over the ceremony and exchange of unit colors that signified the transfer of command from Rohler to Astphan. ... MORE

First Formation continues building faster, stronger entry point for Virginia Guard Soldiers
April 27, 2026 — After nearly seven months of implementation, the Virginia Army National Guard’s First Formation program has welcomed hundreds of Soldiers into the force, providing a structured introduction for those newly assigned or recently transferred into the organization. Held monthly at Defense Supply Center Richmond, First Formation provides in-processing support, connects Soldiers with unit representatives, and ensures their administrative and equipment needs are in place from day one. Since the first iteration, ongoing refinements to the process have improved efficiency and overall execution. ... MORE

116th MBCT tests new tech during live-fire exercise
April 24, 2026 — Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Brig. Gen. Rusty McGuire, the Assistant Adjutant General - Army Strategic Initiatives, saw some of the unit’s new capabilities put into practice during a multi-domain live-fire exercise April 18, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

VNG youth kick off Month of the Military Child
April 16, 2026 — April is Month of the Military Child and the Virginia National Guard Child & Youth Program kicked off the celebration with an event March 28- 29, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

VaARNG Soldiers compete for spot on All Guard Endurance Team
April 15, 2026 — A team of Virginia National Guard Soldiers made a strong showing at the All Guard Endurance Team Trials April 11, 2026, at the Nebraska Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Grand Island, Nebraska. ... MORE

VNG team participates in Exercise Cold Response in Finland
April 8, 2026 — A team of Virginia National Guard officers traveled to Finland to participate in Exercise Cold Response, a multi-country and multi-service winter exercise lead by the Norwegian Army which concluded March 20, 2026... MORE

34th CERFP Soldiers receive tab after search and extraction course
April 1, 2026 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Blackstone-based 3647th Maintenance Company and the 34th CERFP received their search and extraction tabs during patching ceremony March 15, 2026, in Blackstone, Virginia. ... MORE

Soldiers Recognized During Patching Ceremony

4 Soldiers pinned as warrant officers through VNG WOCS
March 19, 2026 — Four Soldiers graduated from the Virginia Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School and were appointed as warrant officers March 8, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The graduates entered the Old Dominion Cohort after completing a rigorous program that tested their technical expertise and leadership. On average, the candidates had 12 years of service, an overall academic average of 91% and represented three branches. ... MORE

VNG Soldiers, Airmen support Karelian Stone in Finland
March 18, 2026 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear defense exchange with Finnish forces Feb. 23 - March 7, 2026, in Finland. ... MORE

Newton, Cooper tops at VaARNG Best Warrior Competition
March 17, 2026 — Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion and the Staunton-based 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team took top honors at the 2026 VaARNG Best Warrior Competition, held March 11 - 15, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Newton and Spc. Cooper pose after winning the Best Warrior Competition

VNG Soldiers, Airmen participate in Finnish cyber security exercise
February 19, 2026 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 91st Cyber Brigade and the 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 192nd Wing participated in Elements of Cyber 2026, a Finnish cyber exercise, Feb. 2-6, 2026, in Riihimäki, Finland... MORE

Va. Army Guard recruiters named best in region
February 19, 2026 — The Virginia Army National Guard recruiting team snagged three top honors at the Region II Strength Readiness Advisory Group end-of-year boards Jan. 7, 2026, following a conference of neighboring states in Maryland. Staff Sgt. Joshua Fino was named the regional recruiter of the year, Master Sgt. Jason Haynes was named the regional section chief of the year, and Sgt. 1st Class Morgan Maddox was selected as the region’s marketing noncommissioned officer of the year. ... MORE

Virginia hosts funeral honors training for ARNG Soldiers from 6 states, territories
February 19, 2026 — The Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program hosted nine Army National Guard Soldiers from six states and territories for a level 2 funeral honors training course Jan. 26 - Feb. 5, 2026, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Spanberger commends VNG during legislative reception
February 12, 2026 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and alumni attended a legislative reception hosted by the Virginia National Guard Association Feb. 5, 2026, at the Library of Virginia in Richmond... MORE

Gov. Spanberger gives remarks at the legislative reception

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