Virginia National Guard

Newest R&R 1SG talks resilience, family balance
March 25, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — First Sgt. Ebony Bridges, assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, said reaching her current rank is something she’s incredibly proud of. As a Black woman, the road to her current position hasn’t always been easy, and there was a point when she thought she’d never be promoted past sergeant first class. But, she stayed the course and kept giving her best to the organization... MORE

First Sgt. Ebony Bridges promotes one of her Soldiers during ceremony held March 24, 2021, in Richmond, Virginia. Bridges is assigned to Bravo Company of the Virginia National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Vaccine support task force commander humbled by opportunity to serve
March 22, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — Lt. Col. Juanita Rohler wears a lot of hats. She commands the Virginia National Guard’s vaccination support task force and the 529th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group. She’s one half of a dual-military couple and a dedicated mom. These days, as COVID-19 vaccination efforts ramp-up across the nation, she’s pretty busy... MORE

Lt. Col. Juanita Rohler, commander of the Virginia National Guard's COVID-19 vaccination support task force, assists with a visit from Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia National Guard senior leaders visit at Richmond Raceway March 8, 2021, in Henrico County, Virginia. (U.S. National Guard photo by Mike Vrabel)

229th BEB NCO felt destined for military service
March 5, 2021 — FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – As a kid, Sgt. Cassandra Lyons grew up playing with G.I Joes, so it wasn’t that surprising when she joined the Virginia National Guard her junior year of high school. “I felt almost destined to be in the military,” she explained. “I had an interest in the comradery the organization provides.”... MORE

, Sgt. Cassandra Lyons, the supply sergeant for Alpha Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, poses in her office March 2, 2021, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Holden Russell)

First female VNG two-star thanks family, NCOs, highlights role of empathy, integrity
March 4, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — Before she made history, commanded troops or wore a uniform, Maj. Gen. Michelle Rose was just another high school student trying to figure out how to pay for college. The lone girl in a family of six kids, she applied to ROTC programs, received a scholarship from the U.S. Army and started working toward an engineering degree at North Carolina State University. Since then, over a career spanning more than three decades, Rose has met her husband, raised three independent and trailblazing daughters, deployed in support of multiple overseas operations and, most recently, become the first woman from the Virginia National Guard to achieve the rank of major general... MORE

Lt. Col. Michelle Rose, commander of the 529th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, during their deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.

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

Virginia Army National Guard recruiter Staff Sgt. Monisha Braxton assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion shares stories about her military experience and the commitments she made to herself Feb 24, 2021, in Hampton, Virginia. With 8 years of service in the National Guard, Braxton stresses the importance of sticking to your goals. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Cyber intelligence Airman draws inspiration from role models
February 24, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. -- After enlisting in the Air Force Reserve in 2007 and serving more than a decade in the intelligence field, Master Sgt. Anthony Jones decided to make the jump to the Virginia Air National Guard to pursue a new challenge: cyber intelligence. Jones is now a cyber intelligence section chief for the 185th Cyber Operations Squadron, Virginia’s first cyber squadron charged with defense of the Air Force Information Network. ... MORE

VNG Soldier supporting COVID fight says he joined to help community
February 18, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. -- Growing up, Spc. TreyVon Meekins was an honor roll student, participated in extracurricular activities and was an active member of his church. He says faith always played an important role in his life and has shaped his personal values and commitment to service. He found the National Guard a few years after high school. After caring for his ailing grandmother until her death in 2013, he worked in the civilian sector until making the decision to enlist in the Virginia Army National Guard... MORE

Spc. TreyVon Meekins, assigned to the Virginia National Guard's Bravo Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Recruiter talks Guard benefits, importance of recognizing Black leaders
February 18, 2021 — NORFOLK, Va. -- For Sgt. 1st Class Gertha L. Cleveland, a recruiter with the Virginia Army National Guard, a point of personal pride is her service in all three components of the U.S. Army. Over the course of her military career, she’s served on active duty and in both the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Cleveland first served in the USAR before entering active duty. She then took a break from her military career. Just over a year later, a National Guard recruiter contacted her and, realizing she missed her military family, she was quickly convinced the National Guard was right for her. Two weeks after her initial conversation with the recruiter, she enlisted in the National Guard... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Gertha L. Cleveland, assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion, shares stories about her military experience and what African American History Month means to her Feb 10, 2021, in Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

VNG preventive medicine officer talks vaccine, military service and diversity
February 10, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. -- In high school, after high school and in college, 1st Lt. Andrew Curtis thought about joining the military. Each time, he was dissuaded by friends and family. Then, at 30, as a husband and father of three, he learned about the National Guard. He wanted a change of pace from his corporate career, and joining the Virginia National Guard seemed like the perfect opportunity. ... MORE

First Lt. Andrew Curtis, preventive medicine officer for the Virginia National Guard

Through trauma, 192nd Wing Airman works to end bullying, boost confidence in children
February 10, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va.— The year was 2018 when Rebecca Adams was crushed by the news her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Adams has no siblings, and her mother raised her as a single parent in Portsmouth, Virginia. Needless to say, their relationship could be described as nothing less than “very close.” In 2019, the two celebrated receiving college degrees together, in the same month!... MORE

Military service stretches across country borders for Nemec family
September 30, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — For many, the stories that are handed down through generations have a strong influence on those who listen. Staff Sgt. Erick Nemec, assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division, grew up hearing stories about his family’s military service in the Peru Armed Forces and their stories helped lead him to his own military career... MORE

National Guard Soldier discusses pride of service
September 14, 2020 — Every Virginia National Guard Soldier plays a part in ensuring mission success and for Spc. Silvia Cavalier, an 88M Motor Transport Operator, recognizing her impact and the impact of her unit was easy... MORE

Flora shares personal story at Congressional reception
May 4, 2017 — Brig. Gen. Lapthe Flora, the Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Strategic Initiatives, shared his personal journey of living for three years in the jungle to avoid being drafted into the communist Vietnamese military after the fall of Saigon to seeking refuge in the United States and attending Virginia Military Institute to becoming a general officer in the U.S. Army at a Congressional reception recognizing the history of diversity in the Army since World War I held May 3, 2017, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C... MORE

Va. Guard hosts Unity Day event to recognize diversity
May 1, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and senior leaders joined members of the Virginia Defense Force April 26, 2017, for Unity Day, hosted by the Virginia National Guard’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and Equal Opportunity Office at the Mullins Readiness Center in Sandston, Virginia. The event, in its inaugural year, aimed to recognize and celebrate the diversity of the Soldiers, Airmen, civilians and VDF members who make up the Virginia National Guard... MORE

Flora presents lecture on importance of diversity in the military
March 31, 2017 — Brig. Gen. Lapthe Flora, Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Strategic Initiatives, presented a lecture on the topic “Diversity as a Force Multiplier in the Military” March 29, 2017, at the Bedford Welcome Center in Bedford, Virginia. The event was the first of the World War I speakers series sponsored by the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission in partnership with the Virginia National Guard... MORE

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