Virginia Army National Guard

Virginia Army National Guard
Shoulder sleeve insignia of the Virginia National Guard Joint Force Headquarters–Army Element
Founded1903
Country United States
Allegiance Virginia
BranchArmy National Guard
TypeARNG Headquarters Command
Part ofVirginia National Guard
Garrison/HQSandston, Virginia
WebsiteVirginia Army National Guard
Commanders
Adjutant GeneralMG James W. Ring
Land Component CommanderBG Charles B. Martin Jr.

The Virginia Army National Guard is composed of approximately 7,000 soldiers and maintains 46 armories in communities throughout the U.S. state of Virginia.[citation needed]

The Governor may call individuals or units of the Virginia National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which lend themselves to use of the National Guard. The state mission assigned to the National Guard is:

The Virginia National Guard provides the premier ready, relevant, and responsive Army and Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force (personnel and units) to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The forces must anticipate requirements and rapidly deploy where directed while executing the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of Virginia in order to save lives, protect people and property, ensure safety and relieve suffering.

Virginia Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same enlisted ranks and officer ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The Virginia Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the commonwealth of Virginia.