Virginia National Guard > News - Category Department of Military Affairs

Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 64 hits the ground running
March 6, 2026 — Class 64 of the of the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy kicked off Feb. 4, 2026, as 68 candidates arrived for in-processing at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Va. CCYA, the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, is a 29 and a half month program structured in a military-style environment, designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe welcomes Class 64 candidates

Spanberger commends VNG during legislative reception
February 12, 2026 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and alumni attended a legislative reception hosted by the Virginia National Guard Association Feb. 5, 2026, at the Library of Virginia in Richmond... MORE

Gov. Spanberger gives remarks at the legislative reception

VNG responds to back-to-back winter weather events
February 3, 2026 — More than 420 Virginia National Guard personnel responded to two winter weather events in the span of a week, staging and answering calls for assistance from regional emergency managers Jan. 23 - February. 1, 2026, in locations across Virginia. ... MORE

VNG staged, ready for second winter storm of 2026
January 31, 2026 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are staged and ready Jan. 31, 2026, primarily in the Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore regions, to support the response to snow expected to impact parts of Virginia... MORE

VNG ready for second winter storm of 2026

Virginia National Guard stages for winter weather response
January 24, 2026 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen staged Jan. 24, 2026, at VNG facilities across the Commonwealth to support the response to winter weather impacting Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard staged, ready for winter weather response

Governor-elect Spanberger to reappoint Ring as Adjutant General
January 5, 2026 — Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will reappoint Maj. Gen. James W. Ring as the Adjutant General of Virginia according to an announcement made Jan. 5, 2026... MORE

Adjutant General of Virginia speaks during ceremony

Kipling appointed as deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs
January 5, 2026 — Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed retired Virginia Army National Guard Col. Lesley Kipling to serve as the deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs, according to an announcement made Jan. 5, 2025... MORE

DMA recognizes SMR state employees during appreciation event
December 29, 2025 — Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, and Lt. Col. John Crocker, the State Military Reservation commander, recognized and thanked DMA state employees for their hard work and dedication during an employee appreciation luncheon Dec. 19, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Class 63 cadets graduate from Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy
December 23, 2025 — The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 40 cadets during a ceremony for Class 63 Dec. 18, 2025, at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Col. Jeff Wagstaff, Senior Army Advisor to the Virginia Army National Guard, Jen Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe, Jerome Ferrette, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe deputy director, and Juan Guisti, an alumnus of CCYA Class 8 and the guest speaker for the ceremony, congratulated each of the graduates on completing the five-and-a-half month-long residential portion of the program... MORE

Former AG Williams named Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs
December 22, 2025 — Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, who served as the 28th Adjutant General of Virginia, was selected by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to serve as the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, according to a news release from the incoming governor’s communications team Dec. 22, 2025. ... MORE

Senior leaders recognize DMA state employees during luncheon
December 17, 2025 — Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, and Col. Eric L. Quinn, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett garrison commander, recognized and thanked Department of Military Affairs employees during an employee appreciation luncheon Dec. 16, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Reality Store give ChalleNGe cadets insight into real-world financial decisions
December 12, 2025 — Cadets of Class 63 of the Virginia Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy experienced an interactive, educational simulation designed to help them gain practical insight into real-world financial decision-making Nov. 15, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

STARBASE Blackstone sees success in first year
December 11, 2025 — As 2025 draws to a close, so does the first calendar year of STARBASE Blackstone, the Virginia National Guard’s second STARBASE Academy location, which opened its doors in summer of 2025. ... MORE

ChalleNGe welcomes guests for Class 63 Family Day
October 22, 2025 — The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy welcomed families and friends of Class 63 cadets to Family Day Oct. 18, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Cadets conducted a pass in review and drill and ceremony demonstration before enjoying several hours with their families and friends, who were invited to tour classrooms and living spaces, as well as meet ChalleNGe teachers and cadre... MORE

Ribbon cutting celebrates opening of STARBASE Blackstone
August 12, 2025 — The Virginia National Guard and Virginia Department of Military Affairs cut a ribbon to symbolically open STARBASE Blackstone, The VNG’s second STARBASE Academy location, Aug. 8, 2025, at the VNG’s Blackstone Readiness Center in Blackstone, Virginia. ... MORE

A ribbon is cut to signify the opening of STARBASE Blackstone

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