Virginia National Guard

Despite COVID-19, Commonwealth challeNGe marches on with 'Virtual ChalleNGe' for Class 53
June 15, 2020 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The COVID-19 pandemic has led the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy to introduce a “Virtual ChalleNGe,” using video teleconferencing technology for the cadets of Class 53, which began May 18, 2020, with 59 cadets in three platoons. “We would love to get them on campus, but we… ... MORE

Virginia Guard Funeral Honors Program "trains the trainer' during 2-week course
March 12, 2020 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Nearly a dozen National Guard Soldiers from six states participated in a National Military Funeral Honors Instructor Certification Course Feb. 24 to March 6, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Virginia National Guard Funeral Honors Program hosted the two-week training course…... MORE

203rd RED HORSE Squadron conducts field training exercise
November 21, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Squadron held a four-day field training exercise Nov. 14-17, 2019, at State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Airmen across more than 20 specialties in the RED HORSE Squadron trained for tasks they would be responsible for during deployments... MORE

Ribbon cutting held for new SMR facility
October 16, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Virginia National Guard senior leaders, as well as military and civilian employees who had a role in its construction, were on hand for the opening of a new multi-use training facility Oct. 11, 2019, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Virginia Guard hosts NGB GIS training courses
September 4, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia National Guard hosted geographic information system training for more than two dozen National Guard Airmen, Soldiers, civilians and contractors from 10 states and territories Aug. 26- 30, 2019, at State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

STARBASE staff provide STEM instruction to VNG Youth Camp, ChalleNGe cadets
August 16, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Staff from the Winchester-based STARBASE Academy traveled to Virginia Beach to provide hands-on instruction to more than 60 sons and daughters of Virginia National Guard Airmen and Soldiers at the Virginia National Guard’s 14th Annual Youth Camp July 27 – Aug. 2, 2019, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach... MORE

Recruit Sustainment Program produces greater success rate for newer recruits
August 6, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 70 newly-recruited Soldiers participated in a combined training event as part of the Virginia National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program July 20, 2019, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The recruits meet one weekend a month to focus on administrative tasks and participate in training events that help prepare them for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training... MORE

Partnerships with TCC, ABC offer ChalleNGe cadets new options upon graduation
July 25, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia– For many cadets in the Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy, the 20-week residential portion of the program is an opportunity to pursue credit recovery and return to high school. For some, they spend their time preparing to take the GED exam at the end of the course. But for some cadets, two new programs offer them the opportunity to quickly receive their GED certificate and then spend eight to 10 weeks taking college classes or training for a future career in the building industry... MORE

1945th Contracting Team departs for overseas mission
May 28, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Family members, friends, fellow Soldiers and Virginia National Guard senior leaders gathered to bid a formal farewell to the Soldiers of the Virginia Beach-based 1945th Contracting Team, 329th Regional Support Group, as they began federal active duty May 25, 2019, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. The ceremony included remarks from Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, Col. Doyle Gillis, the commander of the 329th RSG, and Maj. Nate Seymour, the commander of the 1945th CT... MORE

1945th Contracting Team departs for overseas service

Virginia DMA honors state employees
May 23, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Carlos Hopkins, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walter L. Mercer, Chief Operations Officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, recognized and thanked DMA employees at a State Employee Recognition luncheon May 22, 2019, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. DMA previously conducted a State Employee Recognition luncheon May 9, 2019, at Fort Pickett... MORE

18th Field Hospital trains on renovated range at SMR
April 1, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve’s 18th Field Hospital conducted their annual weapons qualification March 24, 2019, at the newly-renovated range at the State Military Reservation near Virginia Beach, Virginia. After training at other installations in the Hampton Roads area, the Fort Story-based 18th Field Hospital found SMR a perfect fit for their training needs... MORE

State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach serves as vital training facility for local, state and federal organizations
March 15, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach serves as a vital training installation, not just for the Virginia National Guard, but for personnel from all four branches of the military, both active duty and reserve, local and state first responders, and a variety of community organizations. Its prime location is just one reason for its popularity however. The facilities and training aides available, as well as the willingness of its staff, make it a vital training location for its customers... MORE

VNG’s Funeral Honors Program ensuring all eligible veterans get proper final respects
December 19, 2018 — Army National Guard Soldiers from several states completed Level 1 Military Funeral Honors training hosted by the Virginia National Guard’s Military Funeral Honors Program Dec. 10 – 14, 2018, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

DMA hosts second supervisors course at SMR
October 3, 2018 — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs conducted its second Supervisor Course Sept. 18-20, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe welcomes back alumni for 25th anniversary reunion
August 21, 2018 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy welcomed back alumni at a 25th anniversary alumni reunion July 28, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. The event, which was conducted in coordination with family day for the current class, Class 49, provided alumni with the opportunity to meet with current staff and leadership, learn about the current activities at ChalleNGe, and discuss ways they can stay involved with the program... MORE

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