Virginia National Guard > News - Category Recruiting & Retention Battalion

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

Army National Guard offering six-year $20,000 re-enlistment bonus
June 6, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers with an ETS date before Sept. 30, 2019, who have not re-enlisted are eligible for a $20,000 bonus... MORE

Virginia recruiters recognized for excellence
January 24, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, recognized the Virginia Army National Guard’s top recruiters Jan. 23, 2019, at the Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. He also commended the Recruiting and Retention Battalion for their success at the recent National Guard Strength Maintenance Advisory Group – Region II competitions... MORE

Kadavy swears in new Soldiers during Twilight Tattoo
July 25, 2018 — Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Kadavy, Director of the Army National Guard, administered an oath of enlistment to 56 new Soldiers gathered in Conmy Hall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall July 18, 2018, before a Twilight Tattoo... MORE

Recruit Sustainment Program prepares new recruits for Basic, AIT
April 25, 2018 — Approximately 115 newly-recruited Virginia National Guard Soldiers came together for a regional training event held April 13-15, 2018, in Hanover, Virginia. The recruits were all part of the Recruit Sustainment Program, founded approximately 12 years ago. The RSP aims to increase troop readiness by bringing together new Soldiers before they ship to Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training and teaching them the basics of military service... MORE

Va. National Guard recruiters celebrate opening of new recruiting station
December 17, 2017 — Recruiters from the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion gathered Dec. 13, 2017, to recognize the opening of their newest recruiting station in Springfield, Virginia. The new space replaces their previous northern Virginia location in Mount Vernon, and has space for a total of six recruiters, plus a section chief. The station services Fairfax and Arlington counties, the city of Alexandria, as well as parts of Prince William County, to include Woodbridge... MORE

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