The Virginia Defense Force (VDF) is a scalable and modular force led by the Commanding General (CG), Brigadier General (VA) Justin Carlitti. The VDF provides the Adjutant General (TAG) of Virginia the ability to supplement Virginia National Guard (VANG) Civil Support (NGCS) responses, provide punctuated direct support to VANG units, and direct other VANG and community support missions as required.
The VDF mission is therefore to provide the Governor and TAG an organized, trained, and disciplined military force to assist the Virginia Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and the VANG in the conduct of domestic operations in support of (ISO) civilian authorities, and assist other Commonwealth of Virginia agencies as directed by competent authority.
G3 STAFF AND FUNCTIONS
The Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations and Training (O&T), also known as the “G3,” serves the CG — under the VDF Chief of Staff — as the principal coordinator for all O&T actions. As further outlined in the attached G3 duties descriptions document, G3 staff primary duties are:
- The VDF G3 – or the Deputy G3 in his absence — will be the principal coordinator for all O&T actions.
- The VDF Operations Officer (OPSO) will coordinate all routine and emergency operational requirements and support. The OPSO monitors any VDF training programs delivered to VANG units.
- The VDF Training Officer-in-Charge (TRNG OIC) will promulgate and oversee completion of all Higher Headquarters-mandated training requirements, Soldier Mission Training, and other internal training requirements as the CG directs. The TRNG OIC will further coordinate Professional Military Education (PME) and Officer Candidate School (OCS) matters with the respective PME and OCS Cadres.
- The VDF G3 Operations Chief will be the operational and administrative manager for all G3 functions, and will manage official G3 files, coordinating with the VDF Information Technology Specialist as needed.
The VDF Directive 1-19 and its enclosures outline O&T responsibilities for the VDF and provide “hip pocket” formats for all major O&T actions leaders are likely to encounter. (See links below) The formats are intended to simplify common O&T matters, in a standard and mandatory approach across the VDF, so those leaders can spend more time with troop training, and less time constructing processes and formats.
TRAINING
The DMA requires VDF personnel to be trained and deployable during exercises or emergent situations to support civil organizations, as representatives of the Joint Staff Headquarters’ (JFHQ) Joint Operations Center (JOC), and when deployed with VANG units across the Commonwealth. Due to resource constraints and operational tempo, TAG has established a continuing requirement for the VDF to augment VANG capabilities within the range of civil support capabilities, specifically described in the JFHQ “NGCS Playbook.”
VDF is organized in a Regimental system, with a Support Operations Group (SOG) and Force Headquarters (FORHQ). VDF training concentrates on Soldier Mission Trainings (SMTs), aligned to the TAG’s NGCS priorities for VDF: (1) Communications (COM); (2) Civil Security and Support (CSS); and (3) Emergency Support Services (ESS). Accordingly, the VDF has established the COM, CSS and ESS SMTs to answer the TAG’s mission needs.
The VDF Regulation (VDFR) 350-1 prescribes the policies, procedures, and curriculum for initial appointment, training, and career management. (See links below.)
OPERATIONS
The VDF has established a National Guard Support Teams (NGST) system to answer TAG operational requirements. The VDFR 611-3 prescribes NGST composition, management and deployment. (See links below.) The NGSTs are the VDFs’ “fight tonight” operational capability to support NGCS and emergent need “resource” requirements. They are pre-configured, task oriented, operational response teams featuring selected skill sets and (as required) equipment, ready to deploy on short notice. An example would be the Emergency Support Function (ESF) 16 Team VDF has been deploying for years. VDF will develop competencies via NGSTs so as to support missions commensurate with the list of NGCS Playbook missions assigned to VDF. NGSTs are listed in VDFR 611-3 Appendix B.
G3 VDFR 350-1
| Number and Link | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| VDFR 350-1 | Final REG VDFR 350-1 VDF TRAINING PROGRAM | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX B Part 1 | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX B PART 1 NEW SOLDIER TRNG POI LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX B Part 2 | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX B PART 2 Orient Level I | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX B Part 3 | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX B PART 3 Orient Level I TEST | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX B Part 4 | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX B PART 4 Orient Level II | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX B Part 5 | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX B PART 5 Orient Level II TEST Q's | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX D | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX D CSS TRNG POI LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX E | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX E COM TRNG POI LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX F | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX F OCS -DC POI-LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX G | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX G NCO-Basic Leadership Course TRNG POI LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX H | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX H NCO-Advanced Leadership Course TRNG POI LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX I | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX I NCO-Senior Leadership Course TRNG POI LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX J | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX J CCC TRNG POI LPs | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX K | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX K IDC TRNG POI | 1 JAN 2023 |
| VDFR 350-1 APDX L | REG VDFR 350-1 APDX L Master Course List | 1 JAN 2023 |
G3 VDFR 350-2
| Number and Link | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| VDFR 350-2 | Virginia Defense Force Officer Training Management | 1 JAN 2022 |
G3 O&T SOP
| Number and Link | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| O&T SOP | O&T SOP | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (1) | O&T SOP ENCL (1) FORMAT UTA SCHED | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (2) | O&T SOP ENCL (2) MORR FORMAT | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (2A) | O&T SOP ENCL (2A) MORR FORMAT- Readiness Tracker | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (3) | O&T SOP ENCL (3) LEADER'S CHECKLIST | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (4) | O&T SOP ENCL (4) AAR SLIDE FORMAT | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (4A) | O&T SOP ENCL (4A) AAR MEMO FORMAT 1.23 | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (5) | O&T SOP ENCL (5) DECISION PAPER FORMAT | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (6) | O&T SOP ENCL (6) YTP FORMAT | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (7) | O&T SOP ENCL (7) SPT REQ (NON-CSE) | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (7A) | O&T SOP ENCL (7A) COM SPT REQ DD2536 | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (8) | O&T SOP ENCL (8) SYNCH MATRIX | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (9) | O&T SOP ENCL (9) ORA DD2977 | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (10) | O&T SOP ENCL (10) OPS PLANNING & FORMAT | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (11) | O&T SOP ENCL (11) CCIR MATRIX & SIR FORMAT | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (12) | O&T SOP ENCL (12) DMA Accident Report and Investigation Form | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (13) | O&T SOP ENCL (13) PACKING LIST | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (14) | O&T SOP ENCL (14) EMERGENCY PLAN | 1 JAN 2023 |
| O&T SOP ENCL (14A) | O&T SOP ENCL (14A) VDEM EMERGENCY KIT SHEET | 1 JAN 2023 |