Virginia National Guard

WOCs show community support with Rockbridge Area Relief Association
April 4, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Warrant Officer Candidates completed their community project at the Rockbridge Area Relief Association March 19, 2022, in Lexington, Virginia. More than 10 WOCs participated in the event, and all were part of Class 22-001, taught by cadre assigned to the Fort Pickett-based Warrant Officer Candidate School at the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. ... MORE

Pre-OCS gives Soldiers insight into officer training experience
March 28, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers interested in furthering their careers as officers gained insight into the Officer Candidate School experience March 12-13, 2022, during a pre-OCS event held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. The training, conducted by cadre assigned to the Fort Pickett based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, aimed to prepare Soldiers for the unique challenges of OCS... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers participate in land navigation training March 12, 2022, at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. The training was part of a pre-Officer Candidate School drill weekend for Soldiers interested in attending OCS. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Ben Melin)

VNG conducts infantry tactics, unmanned air system exchanges in Tajikistan
March 14, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers conducted an infantry tactics exchange and countering unmanned air systems exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan March 7-11, 2022, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan... MORE

183rd RTI adapts in changing environment
January 24, 2022 — The Virginia National Guard’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute practiced their adaptability skills when Operation Allies Welcome came to Fort Pickett, where the RTI is based, late last summer. With an influx of thousands of Afghan evacuees and support personnel, cadre and staff of the 183rd quickly developed and executed contingency plans to move their courses and training events to other Virginia facilities, making use of sites like Fort A.P. Hill and the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... MORE

U.S. National Guard Soldiers conduct a mortar live fire as part of the 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman Course taught by cadre assigned to 1st Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute Nov. 18, 2021, at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. The live fire was the culminating event for the six students in the course, who will earn the 11C military occupational speciality after successful completion of the course. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Course introduces Virginia Soldiers to Army H2F program
December 15, 2021 — The Virginia Army National Guard hosted a five-day Total Health and Performance course Dec. 6-10, 2021, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The course, which is Virginia’s application of the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness program, focused on the five domains of fitness: physical, nutritional, mental, spiritual and sleep... MORE

Training helps MTC staff spread UXO awareness
October 29, 2021 — Soldiers and civilians assigned to Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett completed a two-day “train the trainer” course designed to help spread awareness of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance Sept. 28-29, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard welcomes 17 new OCS graduates
October 5, 2021 — The Virginia Army National Guard celebrated the graduation of 17 officer candidates from Officer Candidate School Class 63 and 64B Sept. 19, 2021, at a ceremony held at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

Seventeen Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates celebrate their graduation from Officer Candidate School Sept. 19, 2021, at a ceremony held at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Of the 17 graduates, 13 accepted their commissions, took their oath of office, and pinned on their lieutenant bars. Alumi from previous OCS classes participated in a presentation of a historic guidon from OCS Class 11 and the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided ceremonial music for the occasion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

183rd RTI teaches infantry skills at 11B course
August 19, 2021 — For three grueling weeks, 25 U.S. Army National Guard and Reserve Soldiers from across the nation trained together at Fort Pickett. At the ranges and across the training areas, they all shared a common goal: earning the iconic blue cord that comes along with the 11B Infantryman military occupational specialty. The Soldiers were there for the 11B Infantry Transition Course, held July 10-31, 2021, by cadre assigned to 1st Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. ... MORE

U.S. Army National Guard and Reserve Soldiers practice room clearing July 23, 2021, during an 11B Infantry Transition Course, taught by cadre assigned to the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Over three weeks, the students will learn the skills needed to serve as infantrymen and, if they meet course requirements, will be awarded the 11B Infantry military occupational speciality at the conclusion of the course. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

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)

183rd RTI holds recognition ceremony for WOCS graduates
June 16, 2021 — The Virginia National Guard's Warrant Officer Candidate School welcomed five new graduates from class 21-001 during a recognition ceremony hosted by the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute June 5, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve candidates swear in as new warrant officers during a graduation ceremony hosted by the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute June 5, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Virginia National Guard welcomes nine new officers
May 4, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Army National Guard welcomed nine new lieutenants to their ranks in a ceremony held April 25, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The new lieutenants are part of the Virginia National Guard’s winter accelerated Officer Candidate School Class 64A. Col. Doyle Gillis, the Virginia National Guard’s director of manpower and personnel, served as the guest speaker for the event, while Lt. Col. James C. Shaver, commander of 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, administered the oath of office. ... MORE

Nine Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates celebrate their graduation from Officer Candidate School April 25, 2021, at a ceremony held at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The candidates, all part of the winter accelerated Class 64A, took the oath of office and were then pinned with second lieutenant rank by family and friends. Col. Doyle Gillis, the Virginia National Guard’s director of manpower and personnel, served as the guest speaker. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

VNG WOCs check off milestones on way toward course completion
April 1, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s warrant officer candidates hit a few milestones during their March drill weekend. On March 19th, 2021, candidates volunteered at the Chesterfield Food Bank where they helped sort, load and distribute thousands of pounds of food to hundreds of local residents. Then, on the following day, they presented their class song and sign to Col. Charles B. Martin, commander of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute... MORE

Warrant officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School present their class song and sign to Col. Charles B. Martin, commander of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, March 20, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The class includes both U.S. National Guard Soldiers from Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, and U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers. The candidates will head south to Fort McClellan, Alabama, in at the end of April to begin Phase III and the final step toward becoming warrant officers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt.1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

1-116th, MTC Soldiers claim titles at 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition
March 24, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett have claimed top honors at the 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition, which concluded with an awards ceremony March 21, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett claim top honors at the 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition, held March 18-21, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

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.

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

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