Virginia National Guard

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)

329th RSG conducts reverse RSOI for VNG units returning from D.C.
February 25, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. – The Virginia-Beach based 329th Regional Support Group can finally take a breath after managing the complete administrative in-processing and out-processing of over 2,500 Virginia National Guard Soldiers supporting law enforcement in Washington D.C. from Jan. 8 to Feb. 12, 2021. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group guide VNG Soldiers returning from duty supporting law enforcement in Washington, D.C. through the reverse reception, staging, onward movement and integration process Feb. 8, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

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

Virginia Air National Guard recognizes its state, national-level winners in virtual ceremony
February 24, 2021 — Leaders from the Virginia Air National Guard recognized the organization’s top performers of the year during an annual awards ceremony Feb. 20, 2021... MORE

Airman stop to receive their awards during a ceremony

VNG Soldiers, Airmen continue COVID-19 response support
February 24, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — Approximately 120 Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s COVID-19 testing task force are continuing operations in support of the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, even as their mission evolves to include support to vaccination clinics run by local health departments across the commonwealth. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provide logistics and operations support at a COVID-19 vaccine point of distribution hosted by the Blue Ridge Health District Feb. 4, 2021, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

HR specialist talks career, future plans and inclusion
February 24, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. – Joining the Virginia Army National Guard in 2018 was a decision Spc. Kyndall Robinson did not take lightly. Initially interested in the Air Force, Robinson took a year and a half to research and consider her options. ... MORE

Spc. Kyndall Robinson, assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group, reflects on her time in the National Guard Feb. 8, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

ChalleNGe cadets excel, set to graduate during COVID-adjusted class
February 23, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia -- Class 54 of the Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is scheduled to graduate March 20, 2021, and for the staff and cadets of the program, it will be the culmination of a five-month class that was both virtual and in-person and required coordination with and support of the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education. ... MORE

Financial counseling offered to VNG Soldiers returning from D.C.
February 23, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — As Virginia National Guard Soldiers returned from duty assisting law enforcement in Washington D.C., they began the reverse reception, staging, onward movement and integration process at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett. As part of the process, Soldiers got the opportunity to visit with Virginia National Guard Family Programs representatives, including personal financial counselors, who are able to offer a wide range of knowledge and guidance aimed at helping the VNG’s personnel maintain financial health and readiness. ... MORE

Michael Muldowney, one of two personal financial counselors available to Virginia National Guard personnel, offer services to VNG Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 116th Infantry Regiment, as the out-process from duty in Washington, D.C. Feb. 8, 2021, at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett.

Retention team finds success as Soldiers return from D.C. mission
February 22, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — When Soldiers returned to Virginia after supporting law enforcement in Washington, D.C, they were met by a bustling operation at Fort Pickett. This was the final phase of their mission, the part that made sure their orders were processed, their travel vouchers filed. Among the many stations set up there, was one for retention. Thanks to the efforts of the Virginia National Guard’s retention team, a total of 106 Soldiers successfully extended their enlistments. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion talk to Soldiers about retention as they out-process following their support to law enforcement in Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sg. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

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 completes mission in Washington, D.C.
February 11, 2021 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — The last group of Virginia National Guard personnel assisting civilian law enforcement with security operations at the 59th Presidential Inauguration and the days before and after the event departed Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, 2021... MORE

Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine present thank you letters to Col. Chris Samulski, commander of the Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Feb. 8, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

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

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