Virginia National Guard

Va. Beach native first female cav scout in VNG
April 4, 2022 — After 22 weeks of intense training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Pfc. Noor Habr became the first woman in the Virginia Army National Guard to earn the 19D Cavalry Scout military occupational specialty, or MOS. Habr, an Arab American and native of Virginia Beach, decided to join the National Guard after a recruiter visited her school in 2021. As a senior at Bayside High School, she was trying to figure out what her next step would be after graduation... MORE

VNG NCO recounts career moves from band geek to section chief
March 18, 2022 — Master Sgt. Jessica Dickenson started her first job when she was 11. Her parents were lucky to finish high school, she said, and money was tight. Everyone worked. She didn’t know much about the military, didn’t have any sort of family connection to it, but she was still fascinated with the idea of military service. A friend from high school had recently joined the Connecticut National Guard as a musician in the 102nd Army Band. ... MORE

Master Sgt. Jessica Dickenson, center, poses with her team during an awards ceremony with the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion June 11, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

R&R names battalion NCO of the Year
March 18, 2022 — The Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion selected Sgt. 1st Class Jo-Ann Lindquist-Rucker as their noncommissioned officer of the year in a short ceremony held March 15, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

The Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion recognizes Sgt. 1st Class Jo-Ann Lindquist-Rucker as the battalion’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for 2021 during a small ceremony held March 15, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Lindquist-Rucker serves as the battalion’s senior supply sergeant. (U.S. Army National Guard photo Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Richmond recruiter talks family, career and women’s strength
March 14, 2022 — With a house full of boys, a multi-hour roundtrip commute to work and a demanding job as a recruiter for the Virginia Army National Guard, Staff Sgt. Brittany Brayboy is busy. But, she’s part of a diverse family and making time to recognize and celebrate diversity is important for her and her family. ... MORE

Troops to Trucks program paves way for military drivers to earn CDL
March 7, 2022 — In Virginia, the Troops to Trucks program, managed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, provides an avenue of ease for current and former military members to obtain their commercial driver’s license. For most, obtaining a CDL requires both a knowledge and a skills test, but for military members both requirements may be waived depending on military driving experience and occupational specialty... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers from across the nation practice alley docking an M915s during an 88M Motor Transport Operator Course, taught by cadre assigned to 2nd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute Aug. 2, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Successful completion of the two-phase, four-week course will certify Soldiers as 88M Motor Transport Operators with the primary responsibility of operating wheeled vehicles. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

VNG opens pathway for success for Va. Beach recruiter
February 16, 2022 — In joining the Virginia Army National Guard more than two decades ago, Staff Sgt. LaTesse Hall found the kind of stability that had long been missing from her life. The child of two parents who struggled with substance abuse, Hall grew up in poverty... MORE

Black History Month chance to celebrate, recognize trailblazers for VNG NCO
February 9, 2022 — Even though military service seemed inevitable for Staff Sgt. Brandon L. Huntley, he tried to avoid it. Military service was his father’s thing and Huntley felt strongly about forging his own path, building his own legacy. But, as the years after high school passed, he still felt called to serve. At 25-years-old, he joined the Virginia Army National Guard, enlisting as a 19D Cavalry Scout as a nod to the Buffalo Soldiers who came before him... MORE

$20K bonus available for field artillery enlistments
February 8, 2022 — As 2022 began, the Virginia Army National Guard put extra emphasis into recruiting 13B Cannon Crewmembers offering a $20,000 sign-on bonus for those who enlist for six years. Currently, the hefty $20,000 bonus is only available for the 13B military occupational specialty, or MOS... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Hanover-based Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team fire a ceremonial 19-gun salute with M119A3 105mm howitzers at the inauguration of Dr. Ralph Northam as the 73rd Governor of Virginia Jan. 13, 2018, in Richmond, Virginia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bryan Myhr)

Former VNG Soldier inducted into ROTC Hall of Fame at W&M
November 30, 2021 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers helped honor 1st Lt. Todd W. Weaver, during a military appreciation football game Nov. 13, 2021, at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Weaver began his military career as a combat engineer in the VNG and was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. The event included Weaver’s induction into the ROTC Hall of Fame, a flyover by two VNG UH-60 helicopters and cannon fire from VNG artillerymen... MORE

First Lt. Todd W. Weaver is inducted into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame during a military appreciation football game Nov. 13, 2021, at the College of William and Mary. Weaver started his military career in the Virginia National Guard before transitioning to active duty and was killed in action during a night ambush operation in Afghanistan Sept. 9, 2010. Brig. Gen. James W. Ring, Director of the Joint Staff for the Virginia National Guard, presided over the induction ceremony and recognized Weaver’s family on the field. Virginia National Guard cannon crews assigned to the Hanover-based Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division supported the event with cannon fire and a flyover. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Rank, responsibility passes from mentor to mentee in South Boston ceremony
November 29, 2021 — Seventeen years after 1st Sgt. Donnie Brizendine enlisted a young Michael Clay into the Virginia Army National Guard, he removed the first sergeant rank from his chest and attached it to Clay’s uniform. That act was Brizendine’s last as a first sergeant, one he completed just before passing responsibility of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion’s Alpha Company to Clay in a ceremony held Oct. 20, 2021, at the armory in South Boston, Virginia... MORE

Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company of the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion welcomed a new first sergeant and commander in a ceremony held Oct. 20, 2021 at the armory in South Boston, Virginia. Capt. Michael Eames took command of the company from Capt. Keith Agee, and 1st Sgt. Michael Clay took responsibility of the formation from 1st Sgt. Donnie Brizendine, who recruited Clay into the National Guard 17 years ago. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

29th ID cadet continues family’s extensive legacy of military service
November 3, 2021 — Upon swearing into the Virginia Army National Guard Aug. 20, 2021, Cadet Ethan Pulket began adding to his family’s legacy of more than 200 years of combined military service. For generations, his family has served in the National Guard and, notably, the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, where Pulket will be assigned upon receiving his commission. ... MORE

Cadet Ethan Pulkit swears into the Virginia Army National Guard in front of family, friends and peers during a ceremony held Aug. 20, 2021, at Christopher Newport University McMurran Hall, Newport News, Virginia. With more than 200 years of combined family service in the National Guard, Pulket will be following in his family's footsteps and be part of the 4th generation to continue the legacy of military service to the nation and the 29th ID. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

VNG recruiter gives back to area high schools
November 2, 2021 — Staff Sgt. Matthew Riley’s hometown roots rest in Abingdon, Virginia, a small town located in the southwest corner of the state. In high school, he was active in athletics, playing on both the football and wrestling teams at Abingdon High School, and he wrestled in college too, at King University, in Bristol, Tennessee. Funding his college dreams was part of what led him to join the National Guard, along with a strong desire to serve his country and community. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard recruiters pose in front of a tunnel at Patrick Henry High School in Glade Spring, Virginia. Staff Sgt. Matthew Riley, center, coaches at the school and helped fund the tunnel by donating his full salary back to the school. (Courtesy photo)

Recruiter celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with flavors from home
October 6, 2021 — When Hispanic Heritage Month comes around, Staff Sgt. Damian Montaño thinks of his childhood home, his family and all the things they’ve shared together. Originally from New Mexico, Montaño, a recruiter for the Virginia Army National Guard, now calls Virginia Beach, Virginia, his home. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Montaño assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion poses Sept. 18, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During National Hispanic Month, Montano says he thinks of his childhood home, his family and all the things they shared together. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Army National Guard Recruiters support Lynchburg 9/11 event
September 21, 2021 — Virginia Army National Guard recruiters participated in Lynchburg’s 3rd Annual Heroes Day, a joint recruiting and awareness event for first responders held September 11, 2021, at River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg, Virginia. The event included personnel from Lynchburg, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell Counties, as well as Virginia State Police. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard recruiters participate in the 3rd annual Heroes Day, a joint recruiting and awareness event for first responders September 11, 2021, at River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg, Virginia. The event included personnel from Lynchburg, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell Counties, as well as Virginia State Police. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Ben Melin)

Lynchburg Army Guard recruiters challenge local lifeguards
August 9, 2021 — Virginia Army National Guard recruiters challenged area lifeguards with the 3rd Annual National Guard Water Sports Challenge, held July 10, 2021, at the Miller Park Pool in Lynchburg, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard recruiters challenge area lifeguards at the 3rd Annual National Guard Water Sports Challenge, held July 10, 2021, at the Miller Park Pool in Lynchburg, Virginia. (Courtesy photo)

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