Whether you've decided to join us already or you're just wondering what the first steps are to serving, you can find valuable information here!
FIRST STEPS
Visit us during a drill—We welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about what the VDF does on a local level and invite you to come to one of our monthly drills. You will be under no obligation to join—but you will still be welcome to participate in many of our training activities! Come check us out and then take some time to decide if the VDF is right for you.
JOINING UP
Congratulations! You've decided to help serve your fellow Virginians and become better prepared to respond in case of disaster. So what happens next?
You will fill out some forms and then take an oath of enlistment. Come to our next drill and please bring:
- Valid photo I.D.
- Optional: Copies of any educational degrees, training certificates or other professional or volunteer documentation—these are used to determine what grade/rank you will be able to start as. If you are prior service, please contact us to determine what documentation is needed.
- If you are under 18, you will need permission from your parent or guardian
RESPSONSIBILITIES OF A NEW RECRUIT
Whether you have years of prior military service or none at all, it is important to take some time to familiarize yourself with how the VDF is organized and what is expected of you.
- Maintain regular attendance in our monthly drills—that's four hours every SECOND SATURDAY of the month.
- Complete the following two courses—and you will be authorized by the company to wear your rank insignia. Please print out and complete the test on the final pages at home and bring to your next drill for evaluation:
- Complete FEMA IS-100.a and then IS-200.a—FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) has a website for its Independent Study Program—find the courses there—it's easy if you go step by step. Upon completion you will be issued a certificate—bring to drill to be included in your records. [Go to the complete course list.] In time you should also complete IS-700 .a and IS-800.b as well in order to be deployed for State Active Duty (SAD) in the event of an emergency.
- Uniform—Class C Woodland BDU's. We are able to issue some uniform items. Please contact the Supply NCO at drill. Click on Files/Supply to access information on uniform items needed.
- 72-Hour Load—The 72 Hour Load is what you need to sustain yourself for 3 days' operations. Click on Files/Supply and read the Recruit Guide for information on the supply items you need.
| 