Join the Virginia Defense Force
The Virginia Defense Force is authorized by Title 44 of the Code of the Virginia as the all-volunteer reserve of the Virginia National Guard, and it serves as a force multiplier integrated into all Guard domestic operations. The VDF reports to the Adjutant General of Virginia as part of the Virginia Department of Military Affairs along with the Virginia Army National Guard and Virginia Air National Guard.
Members of the VDF volunteer their time for training and are only paid when called to state active duty by an authorization from the Governor of Virginia.
Want to know more? Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page or Contact the VDF Recruiters with specific questions.
If you are ready to submit your information to start the recruiting process, please visit the VDF Recruit Info Form page.
Membership in the VDF is open to U.S citizens and legal residents with or without prior military service, ages 16 to 65. Members must have a valid social security number and no felony convictions.
Recent VDF Training and Missions
When the VNG mobilized for domestic response operations in a state active duty status, the VDF was right there to provide support capabilities to help ensure mission success.
In July when the VNG mobilized Soldiers and Airmen to assist the Texas Military Department and Operation Lone Star border security operation, members of the VDF provided administrative and logistical support to get the troops ready for the mission. View photos of VDF support on Flickr at https://ngpa.us/2796.
In September, the VNG staged approximately 35 Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high water transportation at VNG facilities in the Hampton Roads area in order to support the response to impacts of Tropical Storm Ophelia, and the VDF provided administrative and public information support.
In November, the VDF provided logistics distribution, administrative and public information support when the VNG deployed ground and aerial support to the Department of Forestry to help fight wildfires at multiple locations across the state. View photos of VDF support at https://ngpa.us/27972.
Members of the VDF volunteered their time to help make sure multiple events ran smoothly and provided chaplain, medical and legal support to the VNG.
The VDF provided traffic management and access control assistance for multiple events including the Fort Barfoot redesignation ceremony in March, the Adjutant General change of command ceremony in June at Defense Supply Center Richmond, and for Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies at the Virginia War Memorial. View photos of VDF support to Fort Barfoot redesignation ceremony on Flickr at https://ngpa.us/27967.
Read the full VDF 2023 Year in Review at https://ngpa.us/28088.
“You as volunteer members of the Virginia Defense Force are a very important part of our commonwealth’s fabric,” said Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia who commands the Virginia National Guard, during a troop visit in November 2023. “You are part of Virginia’s constitutional force who raised your right hand freely to join this organized militia to be always ready, always there in the event the commonwealth calls you.”
Ring said that over his three decades of service in the Virginia National Guard he has seen the tremendous value and capabilities that the men and women of the VDF provide to the Virginia National Guard’s mission.
“It starts first and foremost with each of you individually and the fact that you bring your spirit of volunteerism to come forward and willingness to serve, not on behalf of yourself, not on behalf of your teammates, but serving on behalf of your communities when they may be at a point in need.”
Ring expressed his appreciation for VDF service.
“Thank you for who you are, and please extend that thanks to your families and loved ones as you take time away from what would have normally been a free weekend,” Ring said. “The fact that each and every one of you volunteered to freely be here to improve your skills as a member of the VDF is of great value and an important part of the resilience of the great state of Virginia.”
Read the full VDF 2023 Year in Review at https://ngpa.us/28088.
VDF members bring a wide variety of military, law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, network security, radio communications and other civilian skills to mission sets including emergency communications support, operations center augmentation, resource management, operational planning, incident management assistance, cyber defense, access control and public information.
While some VDF members are retired military or first responders, many are younger people who looking to gain leadership experience and new skills.
If you want to follow a satisfying path of service, consider joining the Virginia Defense Force today. Join many other “Virginians Serving Virginians.”
Height-Weight Requirements for Recruitment into the VDF
*** NOTE: Males are the first page and Females are on the second ***
