Public Affairs

The Virginia Defense Force"s Public Affairs Office is responsible for ensuring that the public and associated organizations are informed about the Virginia Defense Force's history, mission and activities in order to generate a broad base of public awareness while fostering internal pride in operations. The Public Affairs Office is the principal contact with the news media and prepares and issues Virginia Defense Force news releases and frequently reviews and approves those issued by component elements.

With the computer at our fingertips, it is very easy to post information on many different websites: facebook, twitter, wikipedia, etc. Anyone can post anything they want - it is one of our American freedoms.

Unfortunately, there are times when this freedom is taken advantage of and this causes us to have to be more diligent in keeping information concerning the VDF accurate and up to date.

Therefore, it is very important that any postings to any web or social site be approved by our Public Affairs Officer before being made public on any website, social media or other informational means that will be viewed by the public at large.

For more detailed information, questions, or suggestions, please email our Webmaster at the link below.

Social Media Policy (*Effective 30-MAR-2012*)

Social media--Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, websites, etc.--are an ever-increasing format to express yourself individually and for companies and organizations to inform the public and promote themselves. The VDF and its members are not immune from this and we are embracing it.

As VDF members, we must always remember--and practice--restraint on what we say and what images we post online. As a military-based organization it is paramount that we all keep what we post within proven guidelines that the Virginia National Guard and all service branches practice. Adversaries worldwide troll sites of all types searching for any type of security they breach and exploit--VDF is not immune from this either.

Below are ways we can maintain integrity for the VDF and for ourselves:

1. Never post dates and places of VDF drills, training or missions. VDF members are notified verbally and/or electronically through their units of this information. If you are responsible for disseminating this information to your troops, please use "less-than-public" means to do so. This type of information is not to be made available for the public unless first authorized by the VDF PAO


2. Practice military good conduct! Social media is not the arena to complain or brow-beat an instance that may have occurred. There are established proper channels within the VDF to be followed in these circumstances


3. Check your photos before you post! Proper uniform dress and character should be what you display online


4. Remember, we are not an armed force, nor will we be. The promotion of weapons use, sale, or trade is strictly prohibited

If you are unsure if want you want to post is within accepted guidelines, contact the PAO through the webmaster for guidance.

Keep watch on this page for further Public Affairs Policy updates.