Virginia National Guard

34th CERFP conducts CTE in Virginia Beach
June 27, 2022 — Virginia and District of Columbia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted a mass casualty response drill as part of a collective training exercise May 24 - 27, 2022, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... MORE

34th CERFP conducts mass casualty exercise during CTE

VNG RRB officially welcomes Johnson to top NCO spot
June 21, 2022 — The Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion welcomed Sgt. Maj. Paul A. Johnson as the battalion’s senior enlisted leader in a Change of Responsibility ceremony held June 8, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Johnson was promoted to the rank of sergeant major just before the ceremony and has served in the RRB since 2008, when he came on as a recruiter. ... MORE

The Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion officially welcomes Sgt. Maj. Paul Johnson as the battalion’s top noncommissioned in a change of responsibility ceremony held June 8, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Johnson was promoted just before taking responsibility of the formation and has performed the duties of the senior enlisted leader for the battalion for several months. Following the change of responsibility, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Compton was promoted to master sergeant, and newly-promoted Master Sgt. Thomas Clarke was recognized for his recent promotion as well. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Virginia DMA employees honored at annual luncheon
June 9, 2022 — Retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, presented awards to DMA employees as part of a State Employee Recognition Day luncheon May 25, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers hone their skills, increase their knowledge at state food service workshop
June 1, 2022 — More than 20 Virginia Army National Guard food service Soldiers from around the state participated in a food service workshop presented by the Virginia Army National Guard G4 section May 10-18, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In an effort to assist Soldiers in their proficiency in their MOS, half of the week-long course was focused on administrative tasks and half was focused familiarization and knowledge of field equipment... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers hone skills, increase knowledge at state food service workshop

34th CST hosts regional, national partners for joint training exercise
May 13, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team participated in a Joint Hazard Assessment Team training exercise with members of the Maine National Guard’s 11th CST, the FBI, the Virginia Beach Fire Department and the Virginia Beach Police Department April 25- 29, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... MORE

576th Engineer Utilities Detachment begins federal mission
April 20, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 576th Engineer Utilities Detachment, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group marked the official start of their federal active-duty mission at a deployment ceremony April 19, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

229th BEB, RRB Soldiers capture 2022 VNG Best Warrior titles
April 6, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion and the Recruiting and Retention Battalion claimed top honors at the 2022 Virginia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition April 3, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

576th Engineer Utilities Detachment prepares for overseas mission
February 22, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 576th Engineer Utilities Detachment, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group trained on their engineer skills, as well as their individual and detachment-level Soldier skills, Feb. 3-19, 2022, in preparation for their upcoming overseas federal mobilization this spring... MORE

Combat medics receive vital refresher training
February 9, 2022 — More than 20 Virginia Army National Guard combat medics conducted refresher training Jan. 25-19, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Presented by the Virginia Army National Guard Medical Command, the five-day course included classroom and hands-on instruction, followed by a culminating medical assessment and trauma lane... MORE

DMA Fall Fest provides employees with training, fun
October 18, 2021 — Virginia Department of Military Affairs employees attended the 2021 DMA Fall Fest Sept. 23, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Fall Fest began with the presentation of a face to face version of new required state employee training on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Unconscious Bias, followed by lunch, games and music... MORE

‘To the Horse!’ Virginia Air National Guard’s Civil Engineering Squadron welcomes its new commander
October 6, 2021 — The 192nd Wing’s 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony Oct. 2, 2021, at the State Military Reservation where the unit is stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Col. David Lands, 192nd Mission Support Group commander, presided over the ceremony where Maj. Ayad M. Abisaab assumed command from Lt. Col. Jeffrey E. Getz... MORE

Col. David Lands, 192nd Mission Support Group commander, left, presents the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) guidon to Maj. Ayad M. Abisaab signifying the start of his command during a change of command ceremony Oct. 2, 2021, at State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

COOP exercise tests DMA's ability to relocate in an emergency
September 27, 2021 — Virginia Department of Military Affairs state employees conducted a continuity of operations exercise Sept. 14-17, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The exercise, which simulated an emergency that forced DMA employees to leave Fort Pickett and relocate to Virginia Beach, provided an opportunity for 29 DMA employees to test their network connectivity, perform their work functions from a different location, conduct staff visits and face-to-face coordination with SMR staff and tenant organizations, and troubleshoot their standard operating procedures and continuity binders... MORE

COOP exercise tests DMA ability to relocate in an emergency

Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group begins federal duty, will deploy to Middle East
September 7, 2021 — The Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group Headquarters marked the start of its federal active-duty mobilization with a departure ceremony Sept. 4, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

329th RSG begins federal duty, will deploy to Middle East

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 59 cadets from Class 55
September 4, 2021 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 59 cadets from Class 55 during a ceremony Aug. 21, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig Gen. Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined retired Navy Capt. Mark Chicoine, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe director, and ChalleNGe staff members in congratulating the cadets during the socially distant ceremony, which was live-streamed for family members and friends to view online... MORE

OCS Class 64 launches into Phase II
July 28, 2021 — Twelve Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates completed Phase I of Officer Candidate School and launched their training into Phase II during a recent drill weekend, held July 16-18, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia’s OCS is taught by cadre assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and the first drill of Phase II was held at SMR as a nod to the program’s historic past. ... MORE

Twelve Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates launch into Phase II of Officer Candidate School July 17, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The candidates are part of OCS Class 64, and spent the weekend training at SMR where Virginia’s OCS was founded. The course is taught by cadre assigned to Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

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