Virginia National Guard

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 66 cadets from Class 59
September 6, 2023 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 66 cadets from Class 59 Aug. 26, 2023, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined retired Navy Capt. Mark Chicoine, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe director, in congratulating the cadets on their accomplishments... MORE

Recent ChalleNGe graduate pursues U.S. Coast Guard Scholars program, future appointment to Coast Guard Academy
July 25, 2023 — Konner Wiggins, a graduate of Class 56 of the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy, joined the U.S. Coast Guard July 10, 2023, and will serve as an E-2 while he completes the U.S. Coast Guard Scholars program with 73 other high school graduates from around the world. Once he completes the program at Marion Military Institute in Alabama, Wiggins will then receive a full appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, where he will run on the school’s Division III track program... MORE

Grant furthers testing of hemp-based targets at Fort Barfoot
June 22, 2023 — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs recently received a $1,000 grant in the recycling category from the “Keep Virginia Beautiful” organization. The money will be used to further research and testing of hemp-plastic targets at Fort Barfoot, according to John Sadler, Fort Barfoot integrated solid waste manager... MORE

Grant allows further testing of hemp-based targets at Fort Barfoot

Ring takes command of VNG as Adjutant General of Virginia
June 8, 2023 — Brig. Gen. James W. Ring took command of the Virginia National Guard as the Adjutant General of Virginia from Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams and was promoted to major general during a ceremony June 3, 2023, at the VNG Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia... MORE

Virginia DMA employees at SMR honored at luncheon
June 2, 2023 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, presented awards to DMA employees as part of a State Employee Recognition Day luncheon May 24, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

DMA employees recognized during SMR luncheon

Va. National Guard ceremony at Defense Supply Center Richmond June 3 to feature F-22 flyover, artillery salute
May 31, 2023 — The Virginia National Guard’s change of command ceremony scheduled for June 3, 2023, will feature an F-22 Raptor flyover and blank-fire artillery salute, and residents of the Bellwood area of Chesterfield County surrounding Defense Supply Center Richmond should expect brief periods of loud noise during the Saturday morning ceremony and the Friday afternoon rehearsal... MORE

DMA employees honored during recognition luncheon at Fort Barfoot
May 20, 2023 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, presented awards to DMA employees as part of a state employee recognition luncheon May 11, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. ... MORE

Fort Barfoot celebrates Earth Day with beautification projects
May 1, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and civilian staff assigned to Fort Barfoot completed several beautification projects on and around the post in honor of Earth Day April 20, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. ... MORE

Governor Youngkin appoints Brig. Gen. James W. Ring as 29th Adjutant General of Virginia
March 31, 2023 — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the appointment of Brig. Gen. James W. Ring to serve as the 29th Adjutant General of Virginia. Ring’s appointment as the leader of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force is effective June 3, 2023... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 58 graduates 72 cadets
March 8, 2023 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 72 cadets from Class 58 March 4, 2023, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, and retired Navy Capt. Mark Chicoine, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe director, joined Travis May, the guest speaker for the ceremony, in congratulating the cadets on their accomplishments. ... MORE

Ceremony kicks off Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Complex expansion
March 4, 2023 — The Virginia National Guard broke ground on the expansion of the Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Complex March 2, 2023, in Troutville, Virginia. Retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, joined state and local government officials for the ceremony... MORE

DMA mentorship program graduates third class
February 28, 2023 — Participants in the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Workforce Development Mentoring Program graduated during a ceremony Feb. 23, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Course helps DMA supervisors refine leadership skills
February 6, 2023 — Civilian and uniformed managers of Virginia Department of Military Affairs employees participated in the DMA Supervisors Course Jan. 24-26, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

DMA training prepares ChalleNGe staff for cadets return
January 9, 2023 — Virginia Department of Military Affairs staff conducted a two-day, in-service training session for staff from Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy Jan. 3-4, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The focus of the training was on policy reviews, various safety and human resource topics and resiliency. The training also featured teambuilding and group activities. ... MORE

Training prepares ChalleNGe staff for return of cadets

Governor tours Fort Pickett, visits DMA state employees
December 12, 2022 — Virginia National Guard senior leaders hosted Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Dec. 8, 2022, for an overview and tour of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

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