Virginia National Guard

229th BEB, RRB Soldiers capture 2022 VNG Best Warrior titles
April 6, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion and the Recruiting and Retention Battalion claimed top honors at the 2022 Virginia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition April 3, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

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)

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)

$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)

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)

Local recruiters recognized by mayor in Virginia Beach
July 28, 2021 — The Virginia Army National Guard was among those recognized at Local Heroes Day, an event held July 17, 2021, at the Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Along with local first responders, recruiters from the Virginia Army National Guard accepted a proclamation and an engraved surfboard from Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard recruiters participate in Local Heroes Day July 17, 2021, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Along with local first responders, the recruiters from the accepted a proclamation and an engraved surfboard from Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer at the event. (Courtesy Photo)

Virginia recruiter helps bring Vietnam War Memorial replica to local community
June 2, 2021 — When Virginia Army National Guard recruiter Staff Sgt. Chris Dickenson heard about the Wall That Heals, he knew it was something he wanted to bring to his community in Southwest Virginia. Unveiled by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in 1996, the Wall That Heals is a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Made of avonite, a synthetic granite, the Wall is made of 140 numbered panels stretching 375 feet in length and standing at 7.5 feet at its highest point. Just like the original wall in D.C., visitors can make rubbings of the more than 58,000 names etched on the wall. To date, the Wall has been displayed in nearly 700 communities, according to its official website. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Chris Dickenson, a recruiter for the Virginia Army National Guard, poses during the arrival of the Wall That Heals to Poplar Gap Park in Grundy, Virginia. The wall, which is a three quarters replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., was displayed in the park May 6-9, 2021. (Courtesy photo)

Recruiters team up with Habitat for Humanity to "Raise the Roof"
May 4, 2021 — NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — For Sgt. Austin Sturtz, a recruiter assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, the opportunity to support the local Habitat for Humanity’s “Raise the Roof” event in Newport News, Virginia, sounded like a great one... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting & Retention Battalion volunteer their time with the Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg Organization April 21, 2021, in Newport News, Virginia. The Soldiers helped Habitat build and repair a home in the Newport News area while reinforcing and reflecting community pride and teamwork. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

SMP prepares cadets for future training, paves pathway for success
April 26, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. -- Cadets enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program, or SMP, spent three days honing their military skills April 16-18, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Approximately 80 cadets from universities across Virginia attended... MORE

Cadets enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program take to the skies on board UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters April 18, 2021, during a three-day field training exercise at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The cadets came together from universities across the state and spent the weekend gaining familiarity with military tasks. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Virginia Army Guard recruiters snag top spots after regional recruiting boards
April 1, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — In mid-March, a select few of Virginia’s Army National Guard recruiters traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a chance to be named top among their regional peers. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Adams was named the region’s top recruiting noncommissioned officer, Sgt. Dakota Baughan was named the region’s top rookie recruiter, and Master Sgt. Jessica Dickenson earned the region’s runner-up spot for top section chief... MORE

Gettysburg, Pa. - Maj. Scott Nivens (far left), commander of the Virginia National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion, poses with Virginia's top recruiters with Sgt. Maj. Stephen Koptchak (far right), at the Region II Strength Maintenance Advisory Group meeting in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (Courtesy photo)

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