Virginia National Guard

Field artillery officer talks mentorship, unity for Pride Month
June 9, 2023 — Over the course of nearly a decade and a half serving in the Virginia Army National Guard, 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Martin gained four military occupational specialties as an enlisted Soldier before commissioning as a field artillery officer. As an African American woman and a member of the LGBTQ community, she is unique among her peers, which is exactly why she chose to branch field artillery in the first place... MORE

H2F trainer advises on goal-setting strategies
May 31, 2023 — If you ask Staff Sgt. Catherine So how to accomplish a goal, she’ll tell you to start small. So, an 88M Motor Transport Operator by military occupational specialty, is now part of the Virginia National Guard’s Holistic Health and Fitness, or H2F, team. Big fitness goals, she said, are best tackled when they’re bite-sized... MORE

A female Soldier poses inside a vehicle.

Williams looks to encourage next generation of VNG enlisted leaders
February 17, 2023 — Command Sgt. Maj. Rhonda Williams, the Virginia Army National Guard G4 Logistics sergeant major and the Maneuver Training Center Fort Picket. command sergeant major, is setting an example for the organization's next generation of senior NCOs... MORE

Respect integral part of culture for 329th RSG NCO
October 14, 2022 — Master Sgt. Sammy Jones started his military career in the Puerto Rico National Guard before transferring to the Virginia National Guard in 1999. Over his decades of service, Jones deployed three times, including twice to Iraq, and has served in units including the 229th and 266th Military Police Companies and now 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and now serves as the operations noncommissioned officer for the 329th Regional Support Group. ... MORE

VNG Soldier celebrates heritage by honoring family's independence
October 12, 2022 — In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15 each year, largely because that date marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. For Pvt. Alexander Ayala, born to a Peruvian father and a Salvadoran mother, National Hispanic Heritage Month is all about celebrating the unique cultures of his family, as well as their independence... MORE

Deployed NCO talks family importance for Hispanic Heritage Month
October 5, 2022 — Sgt. 1st Class Beatrice Nettles first joined the National Guard to help fund her college career. She started her military experience in Florida in 2000 and then transferred to Virginia in 2006. What she quickly discovered was an environment she absolutely loved. Her favorite part of serving in the deep bonds she’s made with those she’s served alongside... MORE

Soccer, cuisine & holidays central to Colombian heritage for 88M PFC
October 5, 2022 — Pfc. Cristian Contreras-Olaya moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, when he was just 4-years-old. Born in Colombia, he said his mother, a single parent at the time of their move, wanted to provide a better life for him and his sister. Today, Contreras serves in the Virginia Army National Guard as an 88M Motor Transport Operator in the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group. ... MORE

VNG Soldier reflects on Hispanic heritage and mother's motivation
September 29, 2022 — Spc. Rosa Willett joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 2019 as an 88M Motor Transport Operator. Originally from Cancun, Mexico, Willett moved to Newport News, Virginia, when she was little, and now serves in the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group and assists with recruiting in her local area... MORE

Spc. Rosa Willett

(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Virginia National Guard celebrates Unity Day
July 13, 2022 — The Virginia National Guard celebrated Unity Day June 22, 2022, at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Presented by the VNG Joint Diversity Council, the event featured speeches from Jason Pak, the Virginia Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and Mila Demchyk, a native of Ukraine, displays and information booths on a number of cultures, as well as a variety of food tastings. ... MORE

VNG PA talks training, impromptu Pride celebrations
June 28, 2022 — When 1st Lt. Nicole Albertson found herself at annual training during her first LGBTQ+ Pride Month since coming out, she wanted a way to mark the occasion. She was at A.P Hill with the Virginia National Guard’s 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Since she couldn’t walk in Washington, D.C.’s Pride Parade, she grabbed long-time friend, Staff Sgt. Cassandra Lyons, and a Pride flag and posed for a picture... MORE

VNG couple talks LGBTQ+ Pride, inclusivity & community
June 21, 2022 — For Sgt. Phillicia Lewis and Spc. Dejia Joyner, both serving in the Virginia Army National Guard, LGBTQ+ Pride Month is all about their community. Each year, they said, that community grows and with it, acceptance and inclusion. ... MORE

Sgt. Phillicia Lewis (right) and Spc. Dejia Joyner (left)

Field Artillery officer highlights trust, teamwork in unit cohesion
June 10, 2022 — Being a field artillery officer is what 1st Lt. Justin Riordan considers the best part of his service in the Virginia Army National Guard. What makes it so great, he said, is the teamwork... MORE

1st Lt. Justin Riordan, at left, poses with his husband in Richmond, Virginia.

VNG’s first Filipino battery commander continues family military legacy
May 26, 2022 — Capt. Samuel Ignacio is the first Filipino American to serve as a battery commander in the Virginia National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He started his career in 2005 as an enlisted Soldier, serving for seven years as a 42A Human Resources Specialist before earning his commission. ... MORE

Food & family key to culture for VNG Soldier
May 23, 2022 — When Spc. Michael Delos Trinos thinks about his Filipino heritage, what comes to mind first is the food and the importance of family. A first generation Filipino American, Delos Trinos is currently assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division. He recently completed Basic Combat Training, or BCT, and plans to start Officer Candidate School later this year. His favorite Filipino food is lechon, a roasted suckling pig usually stuffed with spices and seasonings and cooked over an open flame which results in a flavorful offering of crispy-skinned pork. ... MORE

Spc. Michael Delos Trinos, at center, with his family. (Courtesy photo)

RSP NCO paves pathway for success for Leesburg area recruits
May 2, 2022 — Ever since he was a kid, Staff Sgt. Shane Williams knew he’d join the military. On his dad’s side, military service dates back all the way to the American Civil War. Since then, his family has served through every major U.S. conflict, excluding the Korean War, and almost everyone served in the U.S. Army. His grandfather was the only exception... MORE

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