Virginia National Guard

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)

Army Guard recruiter recommits to college commitment
March 1, 2021 — HAMPTON, Va. -- When Staff Sgt. Monisha Braxton was 17, her main goal was to go to college. Her financial situation made that goal extra challenging and while other students her age were making college plans, she was busy working in the food service industry. Braxton graduated high school with honors and looked into taking some classes at a local community college. The tuition was still more than she could afford so, she joined the U.S. Army, largely because the Army recruiter was the first to return her call... MORE

Retention team finds success as Soldiers return from D.C. mission
February 22, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — When Soldiers returned to Virginia after supporting law enforcement in Washington, D.C, they were met by a bustling operation at Fort Pickett. This was the final phase of their mission, the part that made sure their orders were processed, their travel vouchers filed. Among the many stations set up there, was one for retention. Thanks to the efforts of the Virginia National Guard’s retention team, a total of 106 Soldiers successfully extended their enlistments. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion talk to Soldiers about retention as they out-process following their support to law enforcement in Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sg. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

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.

Dual military couple says finding each other is best military perk
November 17, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The challenges of being a dual-military couple are balanced by the benefits. On one hand, couples share the experience of military service, which can be a foundation for strength for many. On the other hand, these couples face the challenge of juggling two military careers with the demands of family life... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Robichaud and Staff Sgt. Sara Robichaud, both assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard, pose with their children. The two have more than 20 years of combined service and enjoy the life the military has given them and their children.

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

Staunton recruiter hits the streets with new ruck club
February 26, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Sgt. Donald Arbaugh, a new recruiter with the Virginia Army National Guard, recently started a ruck club in Staunton, Virginia. Arbaugh wanted to do something new that would both serve a recruiting tool for people interested in serving in the National Guard, as well as a way…... MORE

Va. Army Guard recruiters recognized as top in region
November 22, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard recruiters took the top spots for both regional recruiter of the year and regional recruiting supervisor of the year following a board held Nov. 7, 2019, in West Virginia. Master Sgt. Donnie Brizendine and Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Fretwell competed against their peers from neighboring states... MORE

Va. Army Guard selects top recruiters
October 30, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion held its end-of-year boards to name their top performers Oct. 11, 2019, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Staff Sgt. Dustin Haislip was named as the 2019 Rookie of the Year, Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Fretwell was named the 2019 Recruiter of the Year, Master Sgt. Donnie Brizendine was named the 2019 Expert Seven of the Year, and Sgt. Austin Strutz was named the 2019 Active Duty Operational Support Person of the Year... MORE

Paintball leads to enlistment to follow in father’s footsteps
August 16, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — As soon as Pfc. Adrianna S. Apelt put on her father’s old Army uniform to play paintball, she knew. “I saw myself in the mirror and realized this was what I was supposed to do,” she exclaimed. “It just fit!” Two months later, during her senior year at Heritage High School in Newport News, Virginia, Apelt joined the Virginia Army National Guard... MORE

Recruit Sustainment Program produces greater success rate for newer recruits
August 6, 2019 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 70 newly-recruited Soldiers participated in a combined training event as part of the Virginia National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program July 20, 2019, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The recruits meet one weekend a month to focus on administrative tasks and participate in training events that help prepare them for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training... MORE

Son follows father into Virginia Army National Guard
July 24, 2019 — FORT LEE, Va. — Pvt. Andrew Lee Ross followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted into the Virginia Army National Guard July 2, 2019, at the Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Lee, Virginia. He follows a long line of family members into the military, and his oath of enlistment was administered by his uncle, Lt. Col. Steven Gutierrez, in front of his mother, siblings and father, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Merritt, a recruiter for the Virginia Army National Guard... MORE

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