Virginia National Guard

Medic earns dental hygienist cert, becomes first college grad in family
December 15, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. – Sgt. Lauren Jenkins, a medic assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Medical Command, became a licensed dental hygienist earlier this year, finishing her final training amid shutdowns and restrictions brought about by the pandemic. Jenkins earned her degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and is the first in her family to become a college graduate... MORE

Soldier's 80-lb weight loss journey leads to military service
December 2, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — When he was 17, Staff Sgt. Roger Jackson struggled with his weight. At 5 feet, 7 inches tall, he weighed in at around 250 pounds. “Over the years, I had been made fun of, bullied, talked about, put down, denied certain extracurricular activities, criticized, etcetera because of my weight,” Jackson said. None of that did much to boost his self-esteem or confidence, but eventually he decided to try out for his high school’s basketball team... MORE

Staff Sgt. Roger Jackson, assigned to the 183rd Regional Regiment, Training Institute, weighed 250 lbs at the age of 17 (left), lost 80 lbs and today maintains a high-level of physical and mental toughness through regular and consistent training.

HART partnership cited as career highlight for participants
December 1, 2020 — CHESTERFIELD, Va. — For nearly a decade, Virginia National Guard flight crews have worked alongside technicians from the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team. Over those many years, the two organizations created, built and grew Virginia’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART. Since the program’s inception in 2011, the HART has deployed for hurricane response, flown countless hours over the waterways and landscapes of Virginia and now boasts approximately 20 trained technicians. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard flight crews train with Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team members on rescue hoist operations Nov. 19, 2020, in Chesterfield, Virginia. Together, the Virginia aviators and Chesterfield first responders form the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART. Their training focused on conducting litter hoists and is part of an ongoing partnership that first began in 2011.

Dual military couple says finding each other is best military perk
November 17, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The challenges of being a dual-military couple are balanced by the benefits. On one hand, couples share the experience of military service, which can be a foundation for strength for many. On the other hand, these couples face the challenge of juggling two military careers with the demands of family life... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Robichaud and Staff Sgt. Sara Robichaud, both assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard, pose with their children. The two have more than 20 years of combined service and enjoy the life the military has given them and their children.

IVAS draws Army senior leaders to MTC Fort Pickett
November 16, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. -- Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett played host to United States Department of Defense and Army leadership in October 2020, as they visited Soldier Touchpoint 3 of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) training at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Soldier tests the Capability Set 3 (CS3) militarized form factor prototype of the Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) during a life fire test event at its third Soldier Touchpoint (STP 3) at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Upgrade: Popular range at MTC gets major renovation
November 16, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — After a nearly year-long renovation project, the Multi-Purpose Range Complex at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, Virginia, was formally reopened with a ceremony Nov. 6, 2020... MORE

A Tennessee National Guard Bradley fighting vehicle sends rounds downrange during a re-opening ceremony for the Multi-Purpose Range Complex Nov. 6, 2020, at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, Virginia.

VNG Soldiers, Airmen continue COVID-19 response support
November 5, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen continue to conduct COVID-19 response mission support across the commonwealth, providing key testing sample collection and personal protective equipment fit testing capabilities in support of the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Emergency Management. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers train civilians from various agencies to conduct N95 respirator mask fit testings Nov. 3, 2020, at Old Dominion EMS Alliance in Henrico County, Virginia.

Funeral Honors Program continues to honor veterans during pandemic
November 3, 2020 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the VNG Military Funeral Honors Program are continuing to provide services for deceased veterans across the Commonwealth despite challenges from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the VNG Military Funeral Honors Program conduct a training session Oct. 22, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Historic M42 Duster on display at JFHQ thanks to volunteer efforts
November 2, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — After more than a year of painstaking work by a group of dedicated volunteers, a 1955-dated M42 Duster its now on permanent display outside of the Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. The Duster, a tracked, self-propelled 40mm anti-aircraft gun, was moved into place on a concrete pad Oct. 28, 2020, with help from Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site at Fort Pickett, Virginia, help move a historic M42 Duster into a permanent display spot Oct. 28, 2020, outside of the Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.

Marines repair Harrier jet engine at Va. Guard aviation facility
October 21, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility hosted a few unusual guests this fall when 14 Marines from the Cherry Point, North Carolina-based Marine Attack Squadron 223 descended upon the hangar to replace the engine of an AV-8B Harrier jet... MORE

Virginia National Guard commissions 11 new officers
October 21, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia National Guard welcomed 11 new lieutenants to its ranks with the commissioning of Officer Candidate School Class 62 Oct. 18, 2020, in a ceremony held at Fort Pickett’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute... MORE

VNG looking for new warrant officers
October 19, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Warrant Officer Strength Managers for the Virginia Army National Guard is inviting all individuals who would like to know more on how to become a warrant officer to a conference call that will be held on the last Wednesday of every month... MORE

Virginia National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve candidates swear in as new warrant officers during a graduation ceremony at the conclusion of Warrant Officer Candidate School

AG recognizes financial management, acquisition and internal review workforce
October 14, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, recognized members of the Virginia National Guard’s financial management, acquisition and internal review workforce during an “All Hands” remote meeting Oct. 8, 2020... MORE

Rhodes succeeds Epperly as 29th Infantry Division commander
October 5, 2020 — FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes took command of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly Oct. 3, 2020, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Lt. Gen. Jon A. Jensen, Director of the Army National Guard, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Epperly to Rhodes... MORE

Military service stretches across country borders for Nemec family
September 30, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — For many, the stories that are handed down through generations have a strong influence on those who listen. Staff Sgt. Erick Nemec, assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division, grew up hearing stories about his family’s military service in the Peru Armed Forces and their stories helped lead him to his own military career... MORE

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