Carlitti retires as VDF commander, Diddams named interim commander

RICHMOND, Va. — Brig. Gen. (Va.) Justin P. Carlitti Sr. retired as the commander of the Virginia Defense Force effective April 18, 2024, after nearly 10 years leading the organization, according to an announcement made April 22, 2024, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Ring named Col. (Va.) Richard Diddams as the interim commander while a search is conducted for a new commander.

“We thank Brig. Gen. Carlitti for his dedicated and honorable service to the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Ring said in the announcement.

Carlitti took command of the VDF from Maj. Gen. (Va.) John Taylor in a ceremony Sept. 28, 2014.

“Col. (Va.) Diddams brings a wealth of military and civilian experience making him uniquely qualified to take charge of the Virginia Defense Force in this transitional period,” Ring said. “His time as the VDF Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Operations has given him a solid understanding of the organization and how it can best support the Virginia National Guard. He is a decorated combat veteran who served 20 years in the Marine Corps. I have no doubt he will provide the steady hand we need until a new commander is selected.”

The VNG published a position vacancy announcement for the VDF commander, and it available for download at https://ngpa.us/29327 with the full list of qualifications and required documents. Candidates must have minimum of five years of service within the VDF, Virginia Army National Guard or Virginia Air National Guard and must have at least two years remaining service eligibility in the VDF following the effective date of promotion. Applicants must submit all required documents by May 6, 2024.

“What attracted me many years ago still holds true today, the personnel of the VDF exemplify selfless service, a desire to go beyond one’s self and to serve a greater good,” Carlitti said in a retirement message to the VDF.  “You have brought the VDF to a very high state of professional readiness as a state military force and as a force provider to the Virginia Department of Military Affairs. Never lose sight of your many accomplishments. These past several years have tested the resolve of our Country and of the Commonwealth, but when ‘the bell rung,’ you responded.”

Carlitti said with his transfer to the retired list of the unorganized militia, he will bring to close a 40 plus year military career in continuous service to the citizens of the Nation and the Commonwealth.

“When I first took the oath in 1978, I could have never imagined a better and more fitting end,” he said.  “It was a honor to have served with you, and I will always value the friendships that were made.”

The Virginia Defense Force is authorized by the Code of the Virginia as the all-volunteer reserve of the Virginia National Guard and serves as a force multiplier integrated into all Guard domestic operations. Members of the VDF volunteer their time for training and community support and are only paid when called to state active duty by an authorization from the Governor of Virginia. The VDF’s primary lines of effort are operations center augmentation, interoperable communications, agency liaison and cyber network defense as well as direct support to the VNG with logistics, medical, chaplain, legal and public information capabilities.

Carlitti’s retirement data coincides with the 40th anniversary of the modern VDF.  A proclamation signed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin celebrates the 40th birthday of the Virginia Defense Force April 18, 2024. With roots going back to the Virginia Volunteers in World War I and the Virginia Protective Force and Virginia State Guard in World War II, the VDF was formally established April 18, 1984, and now serves as the all-volunteer reserve to the Virginia National Guard.

Read the full proclamation below or on the Governor of Virginia web site at https://ngpa.us/29248