| Virginia State Defense Force | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1985 to Present |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Commonwealth of Virginia (U.S. state) & United States of America |
| Branch | State Defense Force |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Defense Support of Civil Authority |
| Size | 1000 |
| Part of | Virginia Department of Military Affairs |
| George Washington Division | Richmond, Virginia |
| Website | http://www.vdf.virginia.gov/ |
| Commanders | |
| Commander in Chief | Robert F. McDonnell |
| Adjutant General | Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr. |
| Commander VDF | MG(VA). John Taylor |
| Command Sergeant Major | CSM. Andy Stevens |
The Virginia Defense Force (VDF) is the official state defense force of Virginia, a component of Virginia's state military along with the Virginia National Guard, with a current enrollment of over 900 troops. The VDF is the descendant of the Virginia State Guard and is headquartered at the historic Old City Hall in Richmond, Virginia. State law allows up to 7,800 troops to be activated in the VDF when necessary. The VDF is all-volunteer unless activated to "State Active Duty" status by the Governor of Virginia.
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The mission of the VDF is by the Code of Virginia § 44-54.4 to support the Virginia National Guard at the following times :
As of August 2006, the VDF Commander is Major General John D. Taylor. The senior NCO and Division Command Sergeant Major is CSM Andy Stevens.
Members of the VDF wear a modified Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) and a modified Class A dress uniform with a black beret and distinctive VDF flash in red with gold trim and the letters VA in gold. The modifications are brass/gold rank, the Virginia state flag and Distinctive Unit Insignias’s on the chest pocket. The VDF is authorized by Section 44-54.4 of the Virginia Code. The VDF can now wear OD green name tags with black lettering, as well as subdued division patches.
The VDF no longer uses the abbreviation VaDF.
The creation of a state defense force by a state is authorized by 32 USC 109 (c). Title 44-54 of the Virginia Code sets the targeted membership of the Virginia Defense Force at 1,200 members. Activation is by an Executive Order of the Governor in the event of an emergency.
Title 44-54.12, although providing for the use of armories and other state lands for Defense Force purposes, specifically prohibits members of the Defense Force from training with firearms, without the specific instruction/authorization of the Governor.
The Defense Force provides training in military related specialties such as communication teams and unarmed security missions. VDF Companies and Battalions are self training. Many of the VDF members have passed online FEMA NIMS ICS courses as well as meeting the requirements of SGAUS.
The Virginia Military Advisory Council is the Defense Force's link to a higher authority.
For 2010 the budget passed by the Virginia Legislature allocated to the Virginia Defense Force was about $240,000.
The VDF's numerous units altogether make up the George Washington Division, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Most units comprising the VDF are battalion or brigade-sized units. The units of the VDF are:
Subordinate Units