Virginia National Guard

116th IBCT welcomes new command team
March 9, 2023 — Col. Jared D. Lake and Command Sgt. Maj. Duane D. Wolfe took charge as the new command team for the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. Christopher J. Samulski and Command Sgt. Maj. Irving N. Reed Jr. March 5, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia. Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes, 29th Infantry Division Commanding General, presided over the ceremony where Lake took command of the 116th from Samulski and Wolfe assumed responsibility from Reed as the brigade’s senior enlisted leader... MORE

116th IBCT Headquarters recognized for federal active duty in Kosovo
March 9, 2023 — Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes, 29th Infantry Division commanding general, presented the Governor’s National Service Medal to Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters March 5, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia, to recognize their federal active duty in Kosovo. Delegates David Reid and Ellen Campbell were also on hand to thank Soldiers for their service... MORE

1-116th NCO named top enlisted graduate at Ranger School
March 7, 2023 — After months of grueling effort, Staff Sgt. Matthew Dawson, a sniper team leader in the Virginia Army National Guard, completed Ranger School, earned the coveted Ranger Tab and was named the enlisted honor graduate for his Ranger School course. Dawson started Ranger School with 328 other Soldiers, graduated as one of 71 to avoid a recycle and was one of only three National Guard Soldiers to graduate with his class of 125 total graduates. Dawson’s father, who earned his own tab in 1990, was there to congratulate his son and pin his tab Jan. 27, 2023, at Fort Benning, Georgia... MORE

Staff Sgt. Matthew Dawson graduates Ranger School as the enlisted honor graduate during a ceremony held jan. 27, 2023, at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dawson is assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as a sniper team leader and completed Ranger School immediately following his deployment to the Horn of Africa as a sniper team leader. (Courtesy photo)

Ceremony kicks off Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Complex expansion
March 4, 2023 — The Virginia National Guard broke ground on the expansion of the Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Complex March 2, 2023, in Troutville, Virginia. Retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, joined state and local government officials for the ceremony... MORE

VNG Soldiers eligible for promotion, recruiting ribbon, $1K bonus for referrals
March 3, 2023 — Helping grow the Virginia Army National Guard recently became an even more lucrative endeavor with the expansion of the ARNG’s Stripes for Buddies program and the announcement of a new Army Recruiting Ribbon. When paired with the VNG’s Referral Enlistment Program, or REP, getting a buddy to enlist could equate to a $1,000 bonus, a promotion up to the rank of specialist or promotion points for sergeants and staff sergeants, and the award of the Army Recruiting Ribbon... MORE

Fifty-seven Soldiers and Airmen assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa earned the GAFPB July 4-5, 2022, at Camp Simba, Kenya. The badge is a test of physical fitness and shooting proficiency with three levels of the award that can be earned: gold, silver, and bronze. It is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

Thunder Soldiers honored for federal service
March 2, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, received the Governor’s National Service Medal Feb. 25, 2023, in Hanover, Hampton and Norfolk, Virginia, to recognize their recent federal service in Iraq... MORE

Kobernik succeeds Martin as 183rd RTI commander
February 21, 2023 — Col. Kurt K. Kobernik took command of the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute from Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. Feb. 11, 2023, in a traditional change of command ceremony held at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General - Army, presided over the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Martin to Kobernik... MORE

Col. Kurt K. Kobernik takes command of the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute from Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. Feb. 11, 2023, in a traditional change of command ceremony held at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General - Army, presided over the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Martin to Kobernik. The Troutville-based 29th Division Band provided music for the ceremony. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Task Force Pegasus Soldiers honored in Williamsburg ceremony
February 21, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Pegasus received the Virginia Governor’s National Service Medal during a ceremony Feb. 5, 2023, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Brig. Gen. James W. Ring, the VNG Director of the Joint Staff, presented the awards... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division receive the Air Medal during a ceremony held Feb. 5, 2023, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Air Medal was awarded to the Soldiers for their life-saving actions taken while deployed as part of Task Force Pegasus and served as the aviation task force for NATO-led Kosovo Force Regional Command-East in 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

In Finland, Guard leaders look to enhance already strong ties
February 21, 2023 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, joined the National Guard’s most senior general to meet with Finland’s defense leadership and observe military training during a three-day stop Feb. 14-16, 2023... MORE

576th Engineer Utilities Detachment returns from federal duty in Southwest Asia
February 17, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 576th Engineer Utilities Detachment, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, returned to Virginia Feb. 10, 2023, after serving on federal active duty in Southwest Asia since May 2022. After conducting demobilization activities at Fort Bliss, Texas, the Soldiers flew into Norfolk and then reunited with loved ones at the VNG's State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach... MORE

Williams looks to encourage next generation of VNG enlisted leaders
February 17, 2023 — Command Sgt. Maj. Rhonda Williams, the Virginia Army National Guard G4 Logistics sergeant major and the Maneuver Training Center Fort Picket. command sergeant major, is setting an example for the organization's next generation of senior NCOs... MORE

Va. National Guard training center to be redesignated Fort Barfoot
February 14, 2023 — The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Pickett will officially be redesignated Fort Barfoot in honor of Col. Van T. Barfoot, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient with extensive Virginia ties. The ceremony is scheduled for March 24, 2023, in the Fort Pickett area near Blackstone, Virginia. ... MORE

29th ID paralegal reflects on belonging, pride
February 13, 2023 — Staff Sgt. Shenika Lightfoot joined the Virginia Army National Guard at the end of 2015, about a year after graduating from James Madison University with a degree in cultural anthropology. In joining the National Guard, Lightfoot was looking for an opportunity to serve her community, while also improving herself... MORE

National Guard service benefits lead from GED to MBA
February 13, 2023 — When he was just 16-years-old, Sgt. 1st Class Cameron Casey was on his own. His mother had recently died and he had little choice but to figure out how to support himself. “I got my own place, lived on my own,” Casey said. “It was hard to go to high school and work at the same time, so I got my GED.” ... MORE

Alpha Co. Soldiers honored at Bedford Welcome Home Parade
February 13, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Bedford-based Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were honored for their federal active duty service in Africa at a welcome home parade hosted by the Bedford Boys Tribute Center Feb. 11, 2023, in Bedford, Virginia... MORE

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