News

Aug. 17, 2021

A Soldier’s story: From Kenyan refugee camp to Vt. National Guard officer

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — For 2nd Lt. Abdimaik Hashi, newly commissioned in the Vermont National Guard, the road to commissioning as an officer began in 2016 when he enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard. As a 19K armor crewman, Hashi initially drove M1 main battle tanks with A Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion-194th Armor Regiment.

Aug. 13, 2021

Soldiers, Airmen discuss structural competence, cultural humility

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard invited Dr. Maria Mercedes Avila, a member of the Vermont Governor’s Racial Equity Task Force, to conduct a workshop on structural competence and cultural humility at the 158th Fighter Wing in South Burlington, Aug. 13.

Aug. 8, 2021

Vermont National Guard releases organizational assessment

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard has publicly released a 113-page assessment prepared by the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations at the request of VTNG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight.

Aug. 4, 2021

Remembering the Code Talkers

RUTLAND NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY, Vermont — National Navajo Code Talkers Day is Aug. 14, 2021. As the observance approaches, we should take a moment to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the nearly 25,000 Native Americans who served in the Armed Forces during WWII. In the words of Signal Officer Maj. Howard Connor, “Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.”

May 21, 2021

Anshan native trades Qianshan Mountain for Green Mountains

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Spc. Mike Liu, a native of Anshan, China, joined the Vermont Army National Guard through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, which allows non-U.S. citizens with certain skills to enlist and apply for citizenship.

April 28, 2021

Vermont Army Guard becomes first state authorized to recruit women into all units

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Women may now join any combat arms unit in the Vermont Army National Guard, following authorization by National Guard Bureau issued today.  The Vermont Army National Guard is the first in the nation to open all combat arms units within its organization to the recruitment of women.  

March 31, 2021

Women make history in Vermont ANG

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — The 158th Fighter Wing has made history: For the first time, three female Airmen from the wing have taken top honors in the Vermont Air National Guard’s annual Airman of the Year awards.

March 29, 2021

Bicultural, Bilingual, Proud: Soldier reflects on her dual heritage

WASHINGTON — Spc. Marisol Gameros, who was assigned to the Vermont National Guard at the Naval Observatory in D.C., was the first person in her family born in the United States. She returned with her family to Mexico six months after being born, to Tuxpan, Mayarit, the same town her parents had initially left.

March 26, 2021

158th Fighter Wing NCO receives NAACP Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award

The special emphasis program manager for the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing received the 2021 Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the state adjutant general announced March 26. 

March 19, 2021

Vermont Guardswomen hold book reading for local day care

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Guardswomen with the Vermont National Guard showcased military uniforms and equipment while holding a virtual book reading  event for children at a local day care center March 18 as part of Women’s History Month.