Virginia National Guard

VNG Soldier balances science, service on path to success
November 13, 2024 — As a first-generation American and the first in her family to attend college, Spc. Mariel Gomez has broken new ground with every step she’s taken. She was born in California, to newly-immigrated parents, and spent a few impactful years with her grandparents in El Salvador before moving with her family to Virginia where she routinely served as a translator and helped her family bridge the gap between their Salvadoran heritage and their new American life. Today, she holds an undergraduate degree in sustainable biomaterials from Virginia Tech and is completing a master's program in chemical engineering at North Carolina State University. Additionally, one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, she serves in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group as a 12K, a plumber... MORE

Spc. Mariel Gomez poses with her dog. (Courtesy photo)

VNG NCO reflects on her path from border town to recruiting success
September 24, 2024 — Staff Sgt. Diana Hudson spent her earliest years in a rural Mexican border town. Her family’s home, built from wooden pallets, had a dirt floor and no plumbing. Since then, she’s emigrated to the United States, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, started a family, earned an undergraduate degree and, more recently, became one of the top recruiters in the Virginia Army National Guard... MORE

Staff Sgt. Diana Hudson, center, poses with her mentors, Sgt. 1st Class LaTesse Hall, left, and Sgt. 1st Class Gertha Cleveland, right.

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 Army Guard pilot continues family’s aeronautical legacy
October 15, 2021 — When Chief Warrant Officer 3 Darrell Busquets joined the military, it was an enlisted engineer. Since then, he’s trained as an infantryman, deployed as a combat engineer, and earned his wings as an Army aviator. Today, he’s the battalion standardization pilot for the Virginia National Guard’s Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. ... MORE

Recruiter celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with flavors from home
October 6, 2021 — When Hispanic Heritage Month comes around, Staff Sgt. Damian Montaño thinks of his childhood home, his family and all the things they’ve shared together. Originally from New Mexico, Montaño, a recruiter for the Virginia Army National Guard, now calls Virginia Beach, Virginia, his home. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Montaño assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion poses Sept. 18, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During National Hispanic Month, Montano says he thinks of his childhood home, his family and all the things they shared together. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

VNG officer graduates from Spanish-immersive ILE, assumes post in Colombia
September 13, 2021 — A Virginia National Guard officer has taken up a unique post in South America after graduating from the Spanish-immersive Command and General Staff College course at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Fort Benning, Georgia. ... MORE

VNG officer graduates from Spanish-immersive ILE, assumes post in Columbia

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

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