Virginia National Guard

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

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 Soldiers compete in pistol marksmanship match
August 27, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. - Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group and the Fort Pickett-based VNG Marksmanship Training Unit combined efforts to host the Excellence in Competition Pistol match Aug. 19, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. A total of 80 service members participated in the event in the hopes of earning the Bronze Excellence in Competition Pistol badge, awarded to the top 10% of shooters... MORE

Virginia National Guard welcomes first female infantry company commander
July 28, 2020 — WOODSTOCK, Va. — During a small, socially-distanced ceremony, Capt. Candice Bowen became the Virginia National Guard’s first female infantry company commander when she took command of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Capt. Timothy England July 18, 2020, in Woodstock, Virginia. “It feels… ... MORE

Martin succeeds Hubbard as 183rd RTI commander
July 22, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Col. Charles B. Martin, Jr., took command of the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institue from Col. Todd H. Hubbard July 19, 2020, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, VNG Land Component… ... MORE

183rd RTI hosts final WOCS phase for first time
June 30, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Eight candidates are now graduates after completing Phase II of the Warrant Officer Candidate School, hosted by the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute June 27, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The ceremony marked the first time candidates have been promoted to WO1 at the… ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard command selections announced
June 22, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Selections for Virginia Army National Guard brigade and battalion commands were made June 19, 2020, by the Adjutant General of Virginia, and June 18 with the release of the results of the annual VaARNG Field Grade Assignment Board. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of… ... MORE

Donations bring important World War II-era artifacts to VNG collection
June 17, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s historical collection has a wealth of new World War II-era artifacts thanks to generous recent donations from a couple different sources. The donations include the personal effects of Maj. Gen. Edward M. Hudgins, who originally enlisted in the the Virginia National Guard’s Company… ... MORE

VNG MFTs offer tips on staying fit while staying hime during pandemic
April 8, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — With gyms closed and sports canceled, the Virginia National Guard’s Master Fitness Trainers are teaming up to provide some tips on staying fit while staying home. “There’s no reason people can’t come out of this more fit,” said Master Sgt. Ramon Abreu-Perez, master fitness coordinator for the… ... MORE

VNG holds ACFT challenge, names top battalion team
March 9, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Approximately 45 Soldiers from 16 Virginia Army National Guard battalions participated in a Battalion Army Combat Fitness Test Challenge Feb. 28, 2020, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Three-man teams from 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Recruiting and Retention Battalion…... MORE

WOCS candidates experience history in Petersburg
February 26, 2020 — PETERSBURG, Va. — Virginia National Guard warrant officer candidates took a deep dive into history during a visit to the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier and Petersburg National Battlefield Feb. 22, 2020, in Petersburg, Virginia. The candidates toured both sites, along with WOCS cadre, as part of their…... MORE

Ault Obstacle Course dedicated in name of VNG Soldier killed in Iraq
October 30, 2019 — Fort Pickett, Va. — Family, friends and current and former Virginia National Guard Soldiers joined the leadership of Fort Pickett for the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Staff Sgt. Jesse Ault Wheeled Vehicle Obstacle Course Sept. 20, 2019, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Ault was killed in action April 9, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device while assigned to the 429th Brigade Support Battalion. ... MORE

183rd RTI certifies new rappel masters
September 18, 2019 — FORT PICKETT, Va. – After four demanding days, 14 active duty, U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers earned their rappel master certification after completing the U.S. Army’s Rappel Master Course, taught by Soldiers of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute Sept. 1-5, 2019, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

WTC brings Air Assault, Pathfinder School to Fort Pickett
September 10, 2019 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — As the sun rose on Fort Pickett’s Air Assault Obstacle Course Aug. 13, 2019, several hundred Soldiers were steaming in the morning’s muggy heat from their first physical challenge of the day, a two-mile run. That was just the beginning. From there, 238 Soldiers, plus a few Airmen and Sailors, tackled the obstacle course, challenging their strength, endurance and mental toughness as they climbed up, over, around and through nine obstacles. Those who were successful, earned a seat in Air Assault School; those who weren’t, went home... MORE

Virginia National Guard OCS graduates and commissions 11 new officers BY
September 7, 2019 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia National Guard welcomed 11 new second lieutenants from Officer Candidate School Class 61 and 62B in a combined commissioning ceremony held Aug. 17, 2019, at Fort Pickett’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. Lt. Col. James C. Shaver Jr., 3rd Battalion, 183rd RTI commander, administered the oath of office to the graduates, and Col. Todd Hubbard, 183rd RTI commander, introduced and welcomed the guest speaker, retired Brig. Gen. Walter L. Mercer, the former assistant adjutant general of Virginia. Mercer asked the newly commissioned officers to reflect on what led them to become officers... MORE

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