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Readiness and Resiliency Information Resource Page provides resources and education to all Soldiers, Airmen, Virginia Defense Force personnel, family members and civilian employees to promote readiness, well-being, resilience and suicide prevention. The end state is a healthy organization that is resilient, knowledgeable regarding high risk behaviors, educated on stress reduction measures and aware of available service member, family and employee support network resources.Quick Links
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Recent Posts
- Virginia National Guard assists with planning, logistics in COVID-19 fight
- VaANG officer brings experience from motorsports to the flightline
- 192nd conducts wing-wide annual training
- VNG, DMA bills pass during 2020 Virginia General Assembly session
- Virginia National Guard COVID-19 FAQs
- Adjutant General of Virginia COVID-19 Update – March 20, 2020
- VNG aviation battalion conducts aerial gunnery in N.C.
- Adjutant General of Virginia COVID-19 Update – March 13, 2020
- Virginia Guard Funeral Honors Program ‘trains the trainer’ during 2-week course
- 429th BSB competes for national food service award
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Dept. of Military Affairs Archive
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![RICHMOND, Va. — A number of bills impacting the Virginia National Guard have passed the Virginia General Assembly during the 2020 legislative session, including bills aimed at increasing tuition assistance, increasing pay for Soldiers on state active duty for emergency response, and increasing the maximum age for Virginia Defense Force […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2020/01/AG_MilitaryVeteransCaucus_15jan20-1-115x115.jpg "VNG, DMA bills pass during 2020 Virginia General Assembly session")
VNG, DMA bills pass during 2020 Virginia General Assembly session
Posted on March 25, 2020 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — A number of bills impacting the Virginia National Guard have passed the Virginia General Assembly during the 2020 legislative session, including bills aimed at increasing tuition assistance, increasing pay for Soldiers on state active duty for emergency response, and increasing the maximum age for Virginia Defense Force […] -
![Commonwealth of Virginia COVID-19 Information Page:https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/ Virginia Department of Health Frequently Asked Questions:http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/frequently-asked-questions/ Virginia National Guard COVID-19 Resources:https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/covid-19/ Virginia National Guard Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What is the Virginia National Guard currently doing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? Right now, there are more than 100 personnel on duty helping […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2020/03/Screen-Shot-2020-03-26-at-8.18.02-AM-115x115.png "Virginia National Guard COVID-19 FAQs")
Virginia National Guard COVID-19 FAQs
Posted on March 25, 2020 | No CommentsCommonwealth of Virginia COVID-19 Information Page:https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/ Virginia Department of Health Frequently Asked Questions:http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/frequently-asked-questions/ Virginia National Guard COVID-19 Resources:https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/covid-19/ Virginia National Guard Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What is the Virginia National Guard currently doing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? Right now, there are more than 100 personnel on duty helping […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — More than 800 people, including Gold Star families and national, state and local leaders attended the dedication day and grand opening of the Virginia War Memorial’s new C. Kenneth Wright Pavilion and the Shrine of Memory for the Global War on Terrorism and Beyond Feb. 29, 2020, in […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2020/03/01WarMemorial_20200229_001-1-115x115.jpg "Ribbon cutting marks opening of Virginia War Memorial expansion")
Ribbon cutting marks opening of Virginia War Memorial expansion
Posted on March 9, 2020 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — More than 800 people, including Gold Star families and national, state and local leaders attended the dedication day and grand opening of the Virginia War Memorial’s new C. Kenneth Wright Pavilion and the Shrine of Memory for the Global War on Terrorism and Beyond Feb. 29, 2020, in […] -
![Virginia Beach, Virginia — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 114 cadets from Class 52 Feb. 29, 2020, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach. Retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, chief operations officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, joined Mark Chicoine, director of the Virginia […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2020/03/ChalleNGe-Class-52_1-115x115.jpg "Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 114 cadets from Class 52")
Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 114 cadets from Class 52
Posted on March 9, 2020 | No CommentsVirginia Beach, Virginia — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 114 cadets from Class 52 Feb. 29, 2020, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach. Retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, chief operations officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, joined Mark Chicoine, director of the Virginia […] -
![FORT PICKETT, Va. — A new program designed to help Virginia Department of Military Affairs state employees improve their leadership skills and learn from existing leaders officially kicked off Feb. 20, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The DMA Workforce Development Mentoring Program is a new effort to help DMA employees […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2020/02/DMA_Mentors_20200220_001-115x115.jpg "DMA Mentoring Program kicks off at meet and greet event")
DMA Mentoring Program kicks off at meet and greet event
Posted on February 25, 2020 | No CommentsFORT PICKETT, Va. — A new program designed to help Virginia Department of Military Affairs state employees improve their leadership skills and learn from existing leaders officially kicked off Feb. 20, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The DMA Workforce Development Mentoring Program is a new effort to help DMA employees […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Army National Guard Jan. 24, 2020, urging that funds needed for a new Virginia National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility in Richmond be prioritized as part of the Future Years Defense Program. The current lease with the […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2020/01/AASF_BlackHawk_28jan20-1-115x115.jpg "Va. CoDel sends letter of support for Army Aviation Support Facility funding")
Va. CoDel sends letter of support for Army Aviation Support Facility funding
Posted on January 27, 2020 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Army National Guard Jan. 24, 2020, urging that funds needed for a new Virginia National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility in Richmond be prioritized as part of the Future Years Defense Program. The current lease with the […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard 2020 Military Ball is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. A reception begins at 6 p.m. with the Military Ball formal dinner at 7 p.m. The Military Ball is open to all members of […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2015/10/VaGuardLogo_1oct15_100x100-115x115.jpg "Virginia National Guard to host Military Ball in February 2020")
Virginia National Guard to host Military Ball in February 2020
Posted on November 21, 2019 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard 2020 Military Ball is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. A reception begins at 6 p.m. with the Military Ball formal dinner at 7 p.m. The Military Ball is open to all members of […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard plans to mobilize approximately 30 Soldiers for state emergency support duty in the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads areas to be staged and ready to assist local and state emergency agencies respond to potential impacts from Hurricane Dorian. Soldiers will begin preparations on […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/09/DorianPrep_0002_04sep19-768x1024-115x115.jpg "Virginia National Guard to mobilize for possible response to Hurricane Dorian")
Virginia National Guard to mobilize for possible response to Hurricane Dorian
Posted on September 4, 2019 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard plans to mobilize approximately 30 Soldiers for state emergency support duty in the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads areas to be staged and ready to assist local and state emergency agencies respond to potential impacts from Hurricane Dorian. Soldiers will begin preparations on […] -
![VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia National Guard hosted geographic information system training for more than two dozen National Guard Airmen, Soldiers, civilians and contractors from 10 states and territories Aug. 26- 30, 2019, at State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. GIS is a mapping-based, decision tool system designed […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/09/AJC_8185-1024x678-115x115.jpg "Virginia Guard hosts NGB GIS training courses")
Virginia Guard hosts NGB GIS training courses
Posted on September 4, 2019 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia National Guard hosted geographic information system training for more than two dozen National Guard Airmen, Soldiers, civilians and contractors from 10 states and territories Aug. 26- 30, 2019, at State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. GIS is a mapping-based, decision tool system designed […] -
![VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 118 cadets from Class 51 August 24, 2019, at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, Chief Operations Officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/08/ChallengeGradAug2019_1-115x115.jpg "Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 51 graduates 118 cadets")
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 51 graduates 118 cadets
Posted on August 27, 2019 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 118 cadets from Class 51 August 24, 2019, at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, Chief Operations Officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, […] -
![VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Staff from the Winchester-based STARBASE Academy traveled to Virginia Beach to provide hands-on instruction to more than 60 sons and daughters of Virginia National Guard Airmen and Soldiers at the Virginia National Guard’s 14th Annual Youth Camp July 27 – Aug. 2, 2019, at the State […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/08/48480741421_aa5e52ee77_z-1-115x115.jpg "STARBASE staff provide STEM instruction to VNG Youth Camp, ChalleNGe cadets")
STARBASE staff provide STEM instruction to VNG Youth Camp, ChalleNGe cadets
Posted on August 16, 2019 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Staff from the Winchester-based STARBASE Academy traveled to Virginia Beach to provide hands-on instruction to more than 60 sons and daughters of Virginia National Guard Airmen and Soldiers at the Virginia National Guard’s 14th Annual Youth Camp July 27 – Aug. 2, 2019, at the State […] -
![VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia– For many cadets in the Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy, the 20-week residential portion of the program is an opportunity to pursue credit recovery and return to high school. For some, they spend their time preparing to take the GED exam at the end of […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/07/ChalleNGeTCC2-115x115.jpg "Partnerships with TCC, ABC offer ChalleNGe cadets new options upon graduation")
Partnerships with TCC, ABC offer ChalleNGe cadets new options upon graduation
Posted on July 25, 2019 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia– For many cadets in the Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy, the 20-week residential portion of the program is an opportunity to pursue credit recovery and return to high school. For some, they spend their time preparing to take the GED exam at the end of […] -
![VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Carlos Hopkins, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walter L. Mercer, Chief Operations Officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, recognized and thanked DMA employees at a State Employee Recognition luncheon May 22, […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/05/AJC_6444-115x115.jpg "Virginia DMA honors state employees")
Virginia DMA honors state employees
Posted on May 23, 2019 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Carlos Hopkins, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walter L. Mercer, Chief Operations Officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, recognized and thanked DMA employees at a State Employee Recognition luncheon May 22, […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — Dozens of Vietnam-era veterans were honored with a ceremony and special pin during a Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration March 29, 2019, at the Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond, Virginia. The ceremony, hosted by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, featured Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/04/001VietnamVetsDay_20190329_022-115x115.jpg "Virginia’s vets honored on National Vietnam Veterans Day")
Virginia’s vets honored on National Vietnam Veterans Day
Posted on April 3, 2019 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — Dozens of Vietnam-era veterans were honored with a ceremony and special pin during a Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration March 29, 2019, at the Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond, Virginia. The ceremony, hosted by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, featured Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — Two recent events marking Women’s History Month and Virginia Women Veterans Week 2019 honored Virginia National Guard’s female Soldiers and veterans, including one woman serving with the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Sgt. Taylor Cunningham, who works full-time with the […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/03/Women-Veterans-Event_20190318_017-115x115.jpg "Events honor Virginia National Guard’s women Soldiers and veterans")
Events honor Virginia National Guard’s women Soldiers and veterans
Posted on March 20, 2019 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — Two recent events marking Women’s History Month and Virginia Women Veterans Week 2019 honored Virginia National Guard’s female Soldiers and veterans, including one woman serving with the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Sgt. Taylor Cunningham, who works full-time with the […] -
![VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 117 cadets from Class 50 March 2, 2019, at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, chief operations officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2019/03/ChalleNGe_MAR19_1-115x115.jpg "Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 50 graduates 117 cadets")
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 50 graduates 117 cadets
Posted on March 14, 2019 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 117 cadets from Class 50 March 2, 2019, at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, chief operations officer for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, […] -
![FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs Safety and Occupational Health Office conducted its inaugural Trades Technician Training Course Nov. 8, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The day-long course, which was hosted in coordination with the DMA facilities, operations, maintenance and environmental sections, focused on hot topics […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/wp-content/themes/arras.1.5.1.1/images/thumbnail.png "DMA hosts inaugural Trades Technician Training Course")
DMA hosts inaugural Trades Technician Training Course
Posted on November 14, 2018 | No CommentsFORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs Safety and Occupational Health Office conducted its inaugural Trades Technician Training Course Nov. 8, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The day-long course, which was hosted in coordination with the DMA facilities, operations, maintenance and environmental sections, focused on hot topics […] -
![BLACKSTONE, Va. — Fort Pickett Fire & Rescue hosted instruction on the National Incident Management System Training Program Incident Command System Level 300 Course Oct. 3, 10 and 11, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. In addition to training their own personnel, first responders from nearby organizations also took part. “The […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2018/11/IMG_20181003_104709860-115x115.jpg "Fort Pickett Fire & Rescue hosts incident command course")
Fort Pickett Fire & Rescue hosts incident command course
Posted on October 17, 2018 | No CommentsBLACKSTONE, Va. — Fort Pickett Fire & Rescue hosted instruction on the National Incident Management System Training Program Incident Command System Level 300 Course Oct. 3, 10 and 11, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. In addition to training their own personnel, first responders from nearby organizations also took part. “The […] -
![VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy transitioned 140 candidates to cadets during a ceremony Oct. 12, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. “I want you all to think about what you’ve accomplished today,” Mark Chicoine, director of the Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2018/10/ChalleNGe_Ceremony_2018_2-115x115.jpg "ChalleNGe Class 50 candidates transition to cadets during induction ceremony")
ChalleNGe Class 50 candidates transition to cadets during induction ceremony
Posted on October 16, 2018 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy transitioned 140 candidates to cadets during a ceremony Oct. 12, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. “I want you all to think about what you’ve accomplished today,” Mark Chicoine, director of the Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe […] -
![Richmond, Va. — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs conducted its second Supervisor Course Sept. 18-20, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. The three-day course focused on teaching supervisors how to manage state staff, with an emphasis on state human resources and safety requirements, pay and […]](https://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2018/10/DMA-supervisor-course-SEP-2018-115x115.jpeg "DMA hosts second supervisors course at SMR")
DMA hosts second supervisors course at SMR
Posted on October 3, 2018 | No CommentsRichmond, Va. — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs conducted its second Supervisor Course Sept. 18-20, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. The three-day course focused on teaching supervisors how to manage state staff, with an emphasis on state human resources and safety requirements, pay and […]
