RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia National Guard Association announced the establishment of the “Guard Friendly School” designation June 1, 2021. The designation and standards were developed by the Executive Council and seek to amplify the quality of education Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard receive at Virginia’s finest colleges, universities and trade schools.
“As community, state, national and global emergencies become increasingly sophisticated, technology-drive, and complex, having a well-trained and exceptionally well-educated Virginia National Guard is more important and valuable than ever,” explained Maj. Andrew J. Czaplicki, VNGA president. “Our Soldiers and Airmen have incredibly unique responsibilities that active duty troops, reservists and veterans do not have and which create different challenges for Guard members as they pursue higher education.”
The program aims to recognize Virginia-based colleges, universities and trade schools that create a supportive learning environment catered to the needs of Guardsmen.
“I am confident that the Guard-Friendly School designation will produce immediate benefits to the schools, our Soldiers and Airmen, their families and our communities,” Czaplicki said. “It’s really a win-win for the schools and for us!”
The Guard-Friendly School designation is a fee-supported program that collects an annual $100 application and processing fee for issuance, reissuance or renewal of designation. Fees fund the production and shipping of the annual plaque, updates to the VNGA webpage and processing costs. Feeds are processed by the Virginia National Guard Management Group, an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity that provides administrative services to the VNGA.
Interested college, university and trade school administrators may apply here or can download the application here.
Learn more about the program here.
Established in 1960, The Virginia National Guard Association (“VNGA”) is a IRS-recognized 501(c)(19) non-profit veterans’ service association representing over 10,000 Soldiers, Airmen and retirees of all ranks and status; enlisted, warrant and officer; traditional, active duty and retired. The VNGA is not endorsed by or legally affiliated with the Virginia National Guard, the National Guard, the Department of Defense, or the Commonwealth of Virginia.