Virginia National Guard > News - Category State Military Reservation

Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 64 hits the ground running
March 6, 2026 — Class 64 of the of the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy kicked off Feb. 4, 2026, as 68 candidates arrived for in-processing at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Va. CCYA, the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, is a 29 and a half month program structured in a military-style environment, designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe welcomes Class 64 candidates

Ceremony marks 25th anniversary of 203rd RED HORSE plane crash
March 5, 2026 — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 203rd RED HORSE Squadron conducted a memorial ceremony March 3, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to recognize the 25th anniversary of a plane crash which claimed the lives of 18 VaANG Airmen and three Florida Army National Guard aviators. ... MORE

Virginia hosts funeral honors training for ARNG Soldiers from 6 states, territories
February 19, 2026 — The Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program hosted nine Army National Guard Soldiers from six states and territories for a level 2 funeral honors training course Jan. 26 - Feb. 5, 2026, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

DMA recognizes SMR state employees during appreciation event
December 29, 2025 — Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, and Lt. Col. John Crocker, the State Military Reservation commander, recognized and thanked DMA state employees for their hard work and dedication during an employee appreciation luncheon Dec. 19, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Crocker succeeds Huffman as SMR commander
December 12, 2025 — Lt. Col. John R. Crocker succeeded Lt. Col. Emily Huffman as the commander of the Virginia National Guard’s State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, during a ceremony Dec. 5, 2025. Col. Eric Quinn, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett garrison commander, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Huffman to Crocker... MORE

ChalleNGe welcomes guests for Class 63 Family Day
October 22, 2025 — The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy welcomed families and friends of Class 63 cadets to Family Day Oct. 18, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Cadets conducted a pass in review and drill and ceremony demonstration before enjoying several hours with their families and friends, who were invited to tour classrooms and living spaces, as well as meet ChalleNGe teachers and cadre... MORE

VaARNG Funeral Honors team provides training to active-duty Soldiers
September 19, 2025 — Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program provided funeral honors training to active-duty Soldiers assigned to the Joint Base Langley-Eustis-based 7th Transportation Brigade Aug. 25 – Sept. 5, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The MFH Program Soldiers provided two separate, week-long training iterations to two groups of 7th Transportation Brigade Soldiers... MORE

Cyber operators train for response, mitigation at Cyber Fortress 25
September 19, 2025 — National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force partnered with military and civilian cyber operators Aug. 2-17, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, during Cyber Fortress 25... MORE

Military, civilian cyber operators train for response, mitigation at Cyber Fortress 25

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response course provides refresher training to Soldiers, civilians
September 3, 2025 — More than 30 Soldiers and civilians from a variety of National Guard organizations participated in a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Credentialed Education Unit Refresher course Aug. 18-22, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

VNG youth tackle adventure at 20th annual youth camp
August 12, 2025 — More than 60 children of Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen enjoyed a week of adventure and activities at the 20th annual Virginia National Guard Youth Camp July 26- Aug. 1, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard youth enjoy 20th annual youth camp

DMA state employees honored at SMR
July 1, 2025 — Retired Col. Everton E. Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, and Lt. Col. Emily Huffman, the State Military Reservation commander, recognized DMA state employees and thanked them for their service during a luncheon June 16, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

DMA employees at SMR recognized at luncheon

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 30 cadets from Class 62
June 30, 2025 — Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 30 cadets from Class 62 June 14, 2025, at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 62 enjoys Family Day
May 27, 2025 — Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy staff, cadets and their families enjoyed Class 62’s Family Day May 17, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Cadets conducted a pass in review and drill and ceremony demonstration before enjoying several hours with their families and friends, who were invited to tour the ChalleNGe facilities and meet staff... MORE

Historic highway marker honoring SMR unveiled in Virginia Beach
April 23, 2025 — A Virginia historic highway marker recognizing the State Military Reservation Historic District was unveiled April 10, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Catherine M. Jumper, Commander of the Virginia Air National Guard, Lt. Col. Emily Huffman, commander of the State Military Reservation, and Dr. Lisa Vaughan Jordan, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Cultural Resources Program manager, presided over the ceremony... MORE

A Virginia historic highway marker recognizing the State Military Reservation Historic District is unveiled April 10, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Real ID soon required for VNG installation access
April 7, 2025 — Visitors to military installations including Fort Barfoot and Defense Supply Center Richmond will need to present a Real ID for access beginning May 7, 2025. ... MORE

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