Virginia National Guard

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

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

Reed talks pathway to success as Va. Army National Guard’s top NCO
February 8, 2023 — During a career spanning across four decades, Command Sgt. Maj. Irving Reed Jr. followed a path that led him up and through the enlisted ranks to the top enlisted spot in the Virginia Army National Guard. His career started in 1982 and today, he’s the Virginia Army National Guard’s Command Sergeant Major... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Irving Reed Jr. takes responsibility as the Virginia Army National Guard’s top noncommissioned officer from Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smith Jr. during a change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 7, 2023, at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, presided over the ceremony. Smith currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader to the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Marc Heaton)

VNG medics tackle 68W sustainment training
February 7, 2023 — The Fort Pickett-based Virginia Army National Guard Medical Command hosted combat medics from across the state for 68W sustainment training Jan. 22-28, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG Combat Medics tackle 68W sustainment training

Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears commends Virginia National Guard
January 29, 2023 — Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears commended the Virginia National Guard for the organization's service to commonwealth and country at a reception hosted Jan. 26, 2023, by the Virginia National Guard Association in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

UAS detachment recognized in Fort Pickett ceremony
January 25, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Blackstone-based Detachment 1, Delta Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team received the Virginia Governor’s National Service Medal during a ceremony Jan. 21, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger was on hand to congratulate the Soldiers, thank them for their service and welcome them home alongside Lt. Col. Robert P. “Beau” Mason, commander of the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion... MORE

Spanberger helps recognize Soldiers at Fort Pickett

Task Force Red Dragon Soldiers recognized for federal active duty in Africa
January 25, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon received the Virginia Governor’s National Service Medal Jan. 21, 2023, at multiple locations across Virginia to recognize their federal active-duty service in Africa from November 2021 through September 2022. ... MORE

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