"TY96"

OCT 1995	The Battalion participated in Combined Arms and Services Training at Fort AP Hill. Conducted our 5th Annual Dining-out at the New Market Battlefield Hall of Valor, guest of honor was MG John D'Araujo, director of the Army National Guard.
NOV 1995	The Battalion conducted Individual Weapons Qualification at Fort AP Hill. During this Drill we qualified six companies, over 500 soldiers, including Co A and Co C of the 1-170th Infantry (which would soon become part of the 3-116th Infantry).
DEC 1995	All units of the Battalion conducted annual briefings and hosted a Holiday Meal for their soldiers and families.
JAN 1996	January’s drill was cut short due to one of the severest snow storms in years. As a result of this storm over thirty soldiers were placed on State Emergency Duty in Frederick, Warren, Shenandoah, and Clarke counties.
FEB 1996	The Battalion conducted Civil Disturbance Training at local armories. Again, the battalion activated soldiers to local communities during a second severe snow storm.
MAR 1996	The Battalion Staff and company representatives participated in a Brigade Battle Simulation (BBS) as part of the 1st Brigade at the State Military Reservation (SMR), Virginia Beach, VA. Over 400 soldiers from the Brigade and Division participated in this training exercise.
APR 1996	Effective 1 April 1996 the 3rd Battalion reorganized to include units in Winchester (HHC), Manassas (Co A), Woodstock (Co B), and Leesburg (Co C). We lost our units in Harrisonburg, Staunton and Lexington, which are now part of the 2-116th Infantry. The Battalion sent over 60 soldiers to participate in the AG’s Combat Rifle Match and had soldiers place in every event.
MAY 1996	The Battalion conducted Special Weapons Training and Individual Weapons Qualification Make-up at Fort AP Hill. As part of our commitment to the community HHC supported the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester and Company A, along with HHC, conducted a very successful Mall Display at the Manassas Mall.
JUN 1996	The Battalion prepared for Annual Training.
JUL 1996	The Battalion conducted its Annual Training at Fort AP Hill. The focus of this AT was on rebuilding the battalion after its reorganization. Some of the training highlights include; conducting seven company Air Assault missions with the 2-224th Aviation; conducting a comprehensive Advanced Marksmanship Training Program; conducting Squad level Live Fire Exercises; conducting joint training with the 20th Special Forces Group which provided training on Foreign Weapon Systems, NBC Training, Small Boat training, and Aerial resupply training, and finally conducting a Career Direction Center for all soldiers. The culminating event during AT was the execution of a 72 hour tactical exercise. At the end of AT the Battalion officers conducted a Battlefield Staff Ride of the Battle of Chancellorsville with the assistance from the Center of Military History. Overall AT 96 was an outstanding success and showed that even during this year of reorganization the 3rd Battalion is the best in the Virginia Army National Guard.
AUG 1996	Units conducted adventure training to keep the moral and espirit de corps high.
SEP 1996	The Battalion conducted weapons qualification make-up and individual training. During the Sep Drill, Hurricane Fran hit the East Coast causing major flooding in the Shenandoah Valley. As a result, the battalion, for the third time, placed soldiers on State Emergency Duty to assist Shenandoah and Page Counties in evacuations and search and rescue missions. Conducted our 6th Annual Dining-out at the New Market Battlefield Hall of Valor, guest of honor was MG William Navas, director of the Army National Guard.

Training Year 1996 Highlights

Battalion Awards Received during TY 96:

Training Highlights: