183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute Archive

  • SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia National Guard Soldiers have an easier way to translate their military driving skills into civilian credentials thanks to a program called Troops to Trucks that’s helped several Soldiers find employment. In 2012, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles started the program, which simplifies the process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license for those military members with adequate driving experience gained through the military. “One of my Soldiers was able to get a job about three weeks later,” Capt. William Angle, commander of Company A, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said. “He’s recently back from deployment and needed worked. He’s an experienced truck driver but didn’t have a CDL. He got the waiver,...

    Va. Guard Soldiers earn civilian credit for military experience

    Posted on January 11, 2013 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia National Guard Soldiers have an easier way to translate their military driving skills into civilian credentials thanks to a program called Troops to Trucks that’s helped several Soldiers find employment. In 2012, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles started the program, which simplifies the process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license for those military members with adequate driving experience gained through the military. “One of my Soldiers was able to get a job about three weeks later,” Capt. William Angle, commander of Company A, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said. “He’s recently back from deployment and needed worked. He’s an experienced truck driver but didn’t have a CDL. He got the waiver,...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia Guardsman Spc. Steven Fletcher, of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, honed his marksmanship skills early. “I have grown up hunting and shooting, and have always enjoyed it,” Fletcher said. Now, Fletcher holds a coveted spot on the All-Guard Marksmanship Team, shooting on both the combat and pistol teams. It all started when Fletcher, originally from Warrenton and currently residing in Culpeper, signed up to compete in his unit’s marksmanship competition, held earlier this year over the unit’s annual training period. The top four shooters from that competition, which included Fletcher, formed a team and represented their unit at the state level competition, held in June at Fort Pickett, Va. Again, Fletcher earned a top spot...

    Virginia Guard marksman selected for All-Guard Marksmanship Team

    Posted on November 17, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia Guardsman Spc. Steven Fletcher, of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, honed his marksmanship skills early. “I have grown up hunting and shooting, and have always enjoyed it,” Fletcher said. Now, Fletcher holds a coveted spot on the All-Guard Marksmanship Team, shooting on both the combat and pistol teams. It all started when Fletcher, originally from Warrenton and currently residing in Culpeper, signed up to compete in his unit’s marksmanship competition, held earlier this year over the unit’s annual training period. The top four shooters from that competition, which included Fletcher, formed a team and represented their unit at the state level competition, held in June at Fort Pickett, Va. Again, Fletcher earned a top spot...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia Guardsman Spc. Steven Fletcher, of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, honed his marksmanship skills early. “I have grown up hunting and shooting, and have always enjoyed it,” Fletcher said. Now, Fletcher holds a coveted spot on the All-Guard Marksmanship Team, shooting on both the combat and pistol teams. It all started when Fletcher, originally from Warrenton and currently residing in Culpeper, signed up to compete in his unit’s marksmanship competition, held earlier this year over the unit’s annual training period. The top four shooters from that competition, which included Fletcher, formed a team and represented their unit at the state level competition, held in June at Fort Pickett, Va. Again, Fletcher earned a top spot...

    Virginia Guard marksman selected for All-Guard Marksmanship Team

    Posted on November 16, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia Guardsman Spc. Steven Fletcher, of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, honed his marksmanship skills early. “I have grown up hunting and shooting, and have always enjoyed it,” Fletcher said. Now, Fletcher holds a coveted spot on the All-Guard Marksmanship Team, shooting on both the combat and pistol teams. It all started when Fletcher, originally from Warrenton and currently residing in Culpeper, signed up to compete in his unit’s marksmanship competition, held earlier this year over the unit’s annual training period. The top four shooters from that competition, which included Fletcher, formed a team and represented their unit at the state level competition, held in June at Fort Pickett, Va. Again, Fletcher earned a top spot...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. – Soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard completed an engagement with the Tajik Army on small-unit tactics and Improvised Explosive Device avoidance on Sept. 12, 2012. Capt. Jack Nothstine, from the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute at Fort Pickett, led the team, along with 2nd Lt. Alexander Nance, 237th Engineer Company, and Sgt. Kevin Hundley, Headquarters Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion. Tajikistan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is located in Central Asia, directly north of Afghanistan. The Virginia Guard began the partnership with Tajikistan in 2004, only a few years after the beginning of the war in Afghanistan. Since then Virginia and Tajikistan have cooperated on dozens of mutually beneficial events. Tajik military leaders have become...

    Virginia Guard team works with Tajikistan on Security Cooperation

    Posted on September 30, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. – Soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard completed an engagement with the Tajik Army on small-unit tactics and Improvised Explosive Device avoidance on Sept. 12, 2012. Capt. Jack Nothstine, from the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute at Fort Pickett, led the team, along with 2nd Lt. Alexander Nance, 237th Engineer Company, and Sgt. Kevin Hundley, Headquarters Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion. Tajikistan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is located in Central Asia, directly north of Afghanistan. The Virginia Guard began the partnership with Tajikistan in 2004, only a few years after the beginning of the war in Afghanistan. Since then Virginia and Tajikistan have cooperated on dozens of mutually beneficial events. Tajik military leaders have become...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — Instructors and rappel masters from the Virginia Guard’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute taught the U.S. Army’s Rappel Master Course Sept. 24-28 at the RTI with a starting class of 26 Soldiers from around the nation. “The point of the rappel master course is essentially to advance the techniques that they learned from air assault school,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Homer, noncommissioned officer in charge for the rappel master course. “Once they leave here they can rappel personnel off towers and off aircraft and hopefully any rotary wing platform the Armed Forces has.” During the five-day course, Soldiers hoping to become rappel masters learn how to tie and utilize knots commonly used during rappelling...

    Virginia Guard’s 183rd RTI trains new rappel masters

    Posted on September 29, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — Instructors and rappel masters from the Virginia Guard’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute taught the U.S. Army’s Rappel Master Course Sept. 24-28 at the RTI with a starting class of 26 Soldiers from around the nation. “The point of the rappel master course is essentially to advance the techniques that they learned from air assault school,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Homer, noncommissioned officer in charge for the rappel master course. “Once they leave here they can rappel personnel off towers and off aircraft and hopefully any rotary wing platform the Armed Forces has.” During the five-day course, Soldiers hoping to become rappel masters learn how to tie and utilize knots commonly used during rappelling...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute marked the opening of the second and final phase of their new facility during an annual family day event Sept. 23. Phase II includes 123,916 square feet of student barracks spread across three two-story barracks buildings. Each building is equipped with high speed wireless internet, complimentary laundry facilities, and various room configurations all designed to suit the needs of the diverse course offerings of the RTI. “We are in a class with very few states,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Howard “Skip” Halfacre, commandant of the RTI, on the newly completed state-of-the-art facility. “Students are going to attend a world-class facility, not only in the classroom spaces and in the...

    Virginia’s 183rd RTI marks completion of new facility

    Posted on September 26, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute marked the opening of the second and final phase of their new facility during an annual family day event Sept. 23. Phase II includes 123,916 square feet of student barracks spread across three two-story barracks buildings. Each building is equipped with high speed wireless internet, complimentary laundry facilities, and various room configurations all designed to suit the needs of the diverse course offerings of the RTI. “We are in a class with very few states,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Howard “Skip” Halfacre, commandant of the RTI, on the newly completed state-of-the-art facility. “Students are going to attend a world-class facility, not only in the classroom spaces and in the...

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  • BLACKSTONE, Va. — Virginia Officer Candidate School Class 54 conducted a community service project at the Blackstone Volunteer Fire Department Aug. 25 2012 as part of the Phase Two requirements of their course curriculum. Candidates coordinated with the Fire Department Chief and applied a fresh coat of paint to the station’s hallways. “The National Guard is a community-oriented organization, and this project gave us a chance to go out and interact with a community that supports us,” said Capt. Brad Churchill, senior trainer for the OCS Class. As an all-volunteer force, the station chief was happy to open the doors to the OCS Class for their project while at the same time providing them with a tour of the facility and explaining the various pieces of gear and equipment used...

    OCS Class 54 conducts service project in Blackstone

    Posted on August 29, 2012 | No Comments
    BLACKSTONE, Va. — Virginia Officer Candidate School Class 54 conducted a community service project at the Blackstone Volunteer Fire Department Aug. 25 2012 as part of the Phase Two requirements of their course curriculum. Candidates coordinated with the Fire Department Chief and applied a fresh coat of paint to the station’s hallways. “The National Guard is a community-oriented organization, and this project gave us a chance to go out and interact with a community that supports us,” said Capt. Brad Churchill, senior trainer for the OCS Class. As an all-volunteer force, the station chief was happy to open the doors to the OCS Class for their project while at the same time providing them with a tour of the facility and explaining the various pieces of gear and equipment used...

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  • FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Twelve of the Virginia Guard’s top shooters competed Aug. 16-19 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. in a regional competition, and Virginia Guard Soldiers beat out shooters from West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware to earn several top spots in both pistol and rifle matches. The competition, called the Marksmanship Advisory Committee Region II Marksmanship Sustainment Exercise, was designed to identify the top shooters in the region and to test the marksmanship skills of the competitors. “These events are both physically and mentally demanding and are designed to foster self-confidence and overall team solidarity,” explained Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Jones, assistant state marksmanship coordinator and marksmanship competitor. “It enforces lessons learned in combat and in competition while ensuring the success of...

    Virginia shooters represent at regional marksmanship competition

    Posted on August 25, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Twelve of the Virginia Guard’s top shooters competed Aug. 16-19 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. in a regional competition, and Virginia Guard Soldiers beat out shooters from West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware to earn several top spots in both pistol and rifle matches. The competition, called the Marksmanship Advisory Committee Region II Marksmanship Sustainment Exercise, was designed to identify the top shooters in the region and to test the marksmanship skills of the competitors. “These events are both physically and mentally demanding and are designed to foster self-confidence and overall team solidarity,” explained Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Jones, assistant state marksmanship coordinator and marksmanship competitor. “It enforces lessons learned in combat and in competition while ensuring the success of...

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  • FRONT ROYAL, Va. – Soldiers from the Blackstone-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute deployed one of their three remote reception teams in support of Joint Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (RSOI) training July 24, 2012. During the training the 183rd welcomed West Virginia’s Saint Albans-based 35th Civil Support Team. The training was designed to allow Virginia to rapidly and effectively gain command and control over units which are being sent into the Commonwealth for emergency response purposes. Through training scenarios such as this, the Remote Reception Teams can facilitate communications and coordination so as to minimize confusion for the incoming forces, build understanding of the arriving capabilities and reduce the overall time that it takes for the right forces...

    Blackstone-based 183rd Regiment RTI welcomes West Virginia’s CST during JRSOI training

    Posted on July 27, 2012 | No Comments
    FRONT ROYAL, Va. – Soldiers from the Blackstone-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute deployed one of their three remote reception teams in support of Joint Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (RSOI) training July 24, 2012. During the training the 183rd welcomed West Virginia’s Saint Albans-based 35th Civil Support Team. The training was designed to allow Virginia to rapidly and effectively gain command and control over units which are being sent into the Commonwealth for emergency response purposes. Through training scenarios such as this, the Remote Reception Teams can facilitate communications and coordination so as to minimize confusion for the incoming forces, build understanding of the arriving capabilities and reduce the overall time that it takes for the right forces...

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  • FORT STORY, Va. — Rappel masters of the 1st Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, from Fort Pickett, Va., instructed approximately 210 candidates from the Commonwealth ChalleNGe program down a 40-foot rappel tower June 23 at Fort Story, Va. Commonwealth ChalleNGe is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, a five and a half month program which focuses on preparing at-risk teens and high school dropouts for the General Educational Development test and future employment, military or higher education opportunities. The rappelling participants were in the “Pre-ChalleNGe” phase, a two-week indoctrination period to determine if prospective cadets are prepared for the rigorous program. “We like coming out here, showing them how to repel and overcome their fear...

    Virginia rappel masters challenge at-risk youth

    Posted on July 26, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT STORY, Va. — Rappel masters of the 1st Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, from Fort Pickett, Va., instructed approximately 210 candidates from the Commonwealth ChalleNGe program down a 40-foot rappel tower June 23 at Fort Story, Va. Commonwealth ChalleNGe is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, a five and a half month program which focuses on preparing at-risk teens and high school dropouts for the General Educational Development test and future employment, military or higher education opportunities. The rappelling participants were in the “Pre-ChalleNGe” phase, a two-week indoctrination period to determine if prospective cadets are prepared for the rigorous program. “We like coming out here, showing them how to repel and overcome their fear...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — National Guard Soldiers from five states, along with Soldiers from the U.S. Army Reserves, sweltered and trained in the July heat at Fort Pickett, Va., as part of the 11B Infantry Transition Course. The two-week course was taught by the instructors of the Blackstone-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and enabled both junior enlisted Soldiers and noncommissioned officers the chance to earn the infantryman military occupational specialty. The Infantry Transition Course is designed to allow schoolhouses to teach both junior Soldiers and NCOs at the same time, with extra emphasis on troop leading procedures for the NCOs. The 11B10 MOS-T course, for junior Soldiers, started with 10 Soldiers and graduated with eight July 21, while the...

    Virginia Regional Training Institute trains Soldiers as infantrymen

    Posted on July 20, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — National Guard Soldiers from five states, along with Soldiers from the U.S. Army Reserves, sweltered and trained in the July heat at Fort Pickett, Va., as part of the 11B Infantry Transition Course. The two-week course was taught by the instructors of the Blackstone-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and enabled both junior enlisted Soldiers and noncommissioned officers the chance to earn the infantryman military occupational specialty. The Infantry Transition Course is designed to allow schoolhouses to teach both junior Soldiers and NCOs at the same time, with extra emphasis on troop leading procedures for the NCOs. The 11B10 MOS-T course, for junior Soldiers, started with 10 Soldiers and graduated with eight July 21, while the...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — Shooters from Virginia National Guard units from around the commonwealth competed June 22-24 at Fort Pickett for a chance to become one of the Virginia Guard’s top shooters. The Soldiers were at Fort Pickett for the Adjutant General’s Rifle Match, the state competition that determines who will be named the best shooters in the commonwealth and earn a spot in the regional competition. The 31 Soldiers who participated in the event spent the first day of the competition zeroing and qualifying their rifles. Four of the Soldiers qualified as expert marksmen, while the majority qualified as sharpshooters. The following two days of the event were spent competing in a variety of different matches, all designed to...

    Virginia Guard Soldiers compete for top honors in state rifle match

    Posted on June 30, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — Shooters from Virginia National Guard units from around the commonwealth competed June 22-24 at Fort Pickett for a chance to become one of the Virginia Guard’s top shooters. The Soldiers were at Fort Pickett for the Adjutant General’s Rifle Match, the state competition that determines who will be named the best shooters in the commonwealth and earn a spot in the regional competition. The 31 Soldiers who participated in the event spent the first day of the competition zeroing and qualifying their rifles. Four of the Soldiers qualified as expert marksmen, while the majority qualified as sharpshooters. The following two days of the event were spent competing in a variety of different matches, all designed to...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — In the woods of Fort Pickett, Virginia Guard Soldiers from the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute led National Guard Soldiers from across the country in a field training exercise as part of Light Leaders Course. The course began June 2 with 11 National Guard Soldiers from Virginia, six from Colorado and two from Pennsylvania, and wraps up June 16. The course aims to teach junior infantry leaders how to be more effective small unit infantry leaders through the missions conducted during the field training exercise and through lessons on weapons familiarization, land navigation, communications and the combat operations orders process, according to Sgt. 1st Class Roger Fracker, Light Leaders Course Manager. “Light Leaders is really to improve the skills of infantry leaders, especially small unit leaders, junior [noncommissioned officers] and junior...

    Virginia school house provides training to light infantry leaders

    Posted on June 13, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — In the woods of Fort Pickett, Virginia Guard Soldiers from the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute led National Guard Soldiers from across the country in a field training exercise as part of Light Leaders Course. The course began June 2 with 11 National Guard Soldiers from Virginia, six from Colorado and two from Pennsylvania, and wraps up June 16. The course aims to teach junior infantry leaders how to be more effective small unit infantry leaders through the missions conducted during the field training exercise and through lessons on weapons familiarization, land navigation, communications and the combat operations orders process, according to Sgt. 1st Class Roger Fracker, Light Leaders Course Manager. “Light Leaders is really to improve the skills of infantry leaders, especially small unit leaders, junior [noncommissioned officers] and junior...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — Nearly 30 Soldiers from seven different Virginia National Guard units competed in the State Pistol Match at Fort Pickett May 18 to 20. Top honors were handed out in individual and team classes. The competition was hosted by the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and the State Marksmanship Training Unit. Sgt. Tony Hancock from Company D, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team took first place in the “Open Class,” and Spc. Sean Kennedy of the 266th Military Police Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group took first place in the “Novice Class.” “Open Class” shooters have either shot in this same match before or in a higher match such as...

    Soldiers compete for top state honors in pistol marksmanship

    Posted on May 22, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — Nearly 30 Soldiers from seven different Virginia National Guard units competed in the State Pistol Match at Fort Pickett May 18 to 20. Top honors were handed out in individual and team classes. The competition was hosted by the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and the State Marksmanship Training Unit. Sgt. Tony Hancock from Company D, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team took first place in the “Open Class,” and Spc. Sean Kennedy of the 266th Military Police Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group took first place in the “Novice Class.” “Open Class” shooters have either shot in this same match before or in a higher match such as...

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