Virginia National Guard

Commonwealth ChalleNGe undergoes a number of changes, gears up for Class 61
June 28, 2024 — Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated Class 60 March 2, 2024, but instead of rolling right into Class 61, the program took a strategic pause, making cultural, physical and organizational changes. Now, after more than three months of training, seminars, brainstorming and implementing those changes, the staff is preparing for the 135 cadets of Class 61 to hit the ground July 16, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach... MORE

SMR employees honored at DMA luncheon
June 4, 2024 — Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Col. Everton E. Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, presented DMA state employees awards and recognitions during a luncheon May 22, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates Class 60
March 12, 2024 — The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 68 cadets during a ceremony March 2, 2024, at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Retired Army Col. Everton E. Nevers, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined Jennifer D. Lanz, director of CCYA, and Yolanda Parker, a CCYA graduate and the guest speaker for the event, on stage to congratulate the graduates of Class 60... MORE

New director looks to keep ChalleNGe striving for excellence
February 26, 2024 — Jennifer D. Lanz is the new director of the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy and started her new position Feb. 1, 2024. Lanz most recently served as assistant principal at Floyd E. Kellam High School in Virginia Beach. Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and is based at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ChalleNGe is a 17-and-a-half-month program that is 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

Jennifer D. Lanz, the new director of the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy, meets with cadets following morning formation Feb. 15, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. L

SMR DMA employees celebrated at 2023 Fall Festival
October 2, 2023 — Virginia Department of Military Affairs employees attended the 2023 DMA Fall Festival Sept. 22, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to the catered lunch, Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, the DMA Chief Operations Officer, and Col. James C. Shaver, Fort Barfoot garrison commander, thanked the group for their hard work and dedication and presented awards to a number of SMR employees... MORE

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

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

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

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

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 70 from Class 57
September 7, 2022 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 70 cadets from Class 57 Aug. 27, 2022, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Class 57 cadets graduate from Commonwealth ChalleNGe

Class 56 graduates from Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy
March 16, 2022 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy conducted a graduation ceremony for the cadets of Class 56 March 5, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined retired Navy Capt. Mark Chicoine, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe director, and ChalleNGE staff members in congratulating the 44 cadets on their graduation. ... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 59 cadets from Class 55
September 4, 2021 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 59 cadets from Class 55 during a ceremony Aug. 21, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig Gen. Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined retired Navy Capt. Mark Chicoine, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe director, and ChalleNGe staff members in congratulating the cadets during the socially distant ceremony, which was live-streamed for family members and friends to view online... MORE

DMA employees recognized for outstanding job performance
May 26, 2021 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, the Chief Operations Officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, presented agency-wide awards May 18, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia, to recognize outstanding state employees for their accomplishments... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 72 cadets from Class 54
April 2, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia- The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 72 cadets from Class 54 during a ceremony March 20, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined ChalleNGe staff members in congratulating the cadets during the socially-distant ceremony, which was live streamed for family members and friends to view online... MORE

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