SSG Joshua Fino

🚨 Enlistment alert! 🚨

Please help me in welcoming Gerardo to the Virginia Army National Guard team! It’s been a loooooong road with this young man and he’s overcome every obstacle in order to enlist and I couldn’t be more proud.

Gerardo is enlisting as a part of the ARMS 2.0 Expansion, which allows otherwise qualified people that are outside the Army’s body composition standard to enlist!

He’ll be going to the ARMS program to train and eat well so he can meet the standard then he’ll be shipped to AIT as an 88M Motor Transport Operator.

Welcome to the team Gerardo!

For all of my friends that qualify and are interested

🚨 Now accepting candidates for the winter accelerated OCS program! 🚨

If you think you have what it takes to lead, now it your chance to prove it. We have opportunities for interested candidates to attend pre-OCS in October, November and December, and with unit approval, those interested can attend pre-OCS in lieu of drill in a split status. Pre-OCS prepares Soldiers for the rigors and challenges unique to OCS and is a prerequisite to attend the National Guard's accelerated OCS.

For those selected, winter accelerated OCS will take place Jan. 24 through March 21, 2025, at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

Minimum requirements: GTC Cardholder, possess all standard individual equipment (TA-50), 110 GT score (no waivers), 90 college credits, passing ACFT, possess a secret clearance.

All Candidates will take the ACFT during pre-OCS and are expected to be physically prepared prior to arrival.

Soldiers interested in attending must contact CPT Zachary Barnett, Officer Candidate School Training Officer at 434-665-5306 or [email protected].

Unbelievably happy for everyone that got promoted this past weekend. Congrats to 1SG Miller, especially. The Company is in great hands.

What an event. These young men worked so hard and overcame physical and mental obstacles this morning. I can’t thank the Coach Hall and his staff at North Stafford High School enough for allowing me an opportunity to be a part of their family!

Meet your Recruiter!

This is Staff Sergeant (SSG) Josh Fino. He has been a member of the Virginia Army National Guard for 17 years! He began his career as a 31B (Military Police Officer) and was assigned to Det. 1 229th Military Police Company. He deployed to Iraq in 2009-2010 where he served on the advance detail of Protective Security for the Commanding General of US Forces in Iraq and assisted with training the Iraqi Police.

When he returned home he became a Deputy with the Henrico County Sheriff's Office where he attained the rank of Captain and served as the Captain of Jail Security, the Sheriff's Office Response Team Commander, and the lead defensive tactics instructor until he became a Recruiting and Retention NCO in August of 2023.

In his spare time, SSG Fino enjoys spending time with his family, playing hockey and cooking, specifically on his smoker and blackstone. He is married and has two daughters.

Reach out to him for more information about the Virginia Army National Guard now!

What’re you waiting for???

🚨New Soldier alert!🚨

Please join me in welcoming Thomas to the Virginia Army National Guard! He enlisted as a 13F - Fire Support Specialist!

He received at $20,000 bonus as well as the Montgomery GI Bill and kicker, which will pay him $816 a month while he’s enrolled in college!

He’s using the Virginia Army National Guard to go to college and commission as an Officer after he completes ROTC!

(He requested to have his picture left off of Social Media)

Had an applicant raise her AFQT 35 points today. So happy for her! Be on the lookout for an announcement soon 👀

Enlistment alert!

Please join me in welcoming Adrien to the Virginia Army National Guard! He enlisted as an 09M in order to study and train for the ASVAB in order to secure the job by he wants - 91H Tracked Vehicle Repair.

He’s going to use his skills to apply it to a trade as a mechanic. He’ll also be utilizing tuition assistance to attend college!

I’m so happy for this young man and proud of the steps he’s taking to secure his future!

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help the community in which I serve. Today I had the pleasure to help raise some money with S.E.R.V.E. (Stafford Emergency Relief Through Volunteer Efforts) at their annual golf tournament. As you see, my team did great 😂

Thank you to Hannah and the Serve team for allowing the Virginia Army National Guard and my team to participate!

I’m going to hit the links so we have a better result next

Say hello to your newest Recruiting and Retention NCO, Virginia! The Virginia Army National Guard has taken me to some great schools and I’ve met some even better people. I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given!

ENLISTMENT ALERT!

Please join me in welcoming the newest member of the team! Bryan enlisted as an 09M - which will send him to Ft. Jackson, SC to hone his test-taking skills which will lead him to becoming a 31B - Military Police.

He will be using the Guard to pursue a career in law enforcement. This young man has the drive and ambition to become something special and I couldn’t be happier for him. I look forward to seeing how his career progresses!

New Soldier alert!

Please welcome Jimmy as the newest member of the Virginia Army National Guard! It was my honor to help this young man enlist to reach his goals.

Jimmy enlisted as a 92Y - Unit Supply Specialist and will be using his benefits to pay for his college tuition!

Additionally, he’ll be using his position in the Guard to help him obtain his US Citizenship!

Once again I’m immensely proud to be able to help people achieve their goals.

Check out the Commander of the 229th MP CO and I do the Hot Ones Challenge!

Working out some technical kinks (tinny sound, shaky screen) but it went well! Learn a little bit about Joshua Charlton and the Virginia Army National Guard!

Virginia Army National Guard "Hot Ones Challenge" SSG Joshua Fino and CPT Joshua Charlton take part in the Hot Ones Challenge. During this time, SSG Fino asks CPT Charlton various questions about his career ...

Amazing day two at Brooke Point High School! The students overcame obstacles (dropped plates, being the only one cooking) and created some delicious dishes! They were judged on creativity, presentation, and overall taste! So proud to be a part of the community! Thanks to Mrs. DelCore and Brooke Point High School for supporting the inaugural MRE Challenge!

Day 1 of the MRE Challenge at was amazing! Thanks to Mrs. DelCore for assisting with everything! She’s an amazing culinary teacher and was a huge help. The students did amazing and really transformed the MREs. Congrats to Group 4 on winning!

Shoutout to for allowing me to give the students an opportunity to test their skills and make MREs delicious. Excited to see their creativity!

SSG Joshua Fino Recruiter | Virginia Army National Guard

Want to serve your community while also getting military benefits? Contact me now - information in profile.

If you’re in the Stafford area, I’ve started a community goods drive in support of S.E.R.V.E. (Stafford Emergency Relief through Volunteer Efforts). Stop by the office and drop off anything that you can spare to help those in need.

Want to make $1,000? The Virginia Army National Guard has a referral program that will pay $1,000 for a referral of a qualified person upon their enlistment into the Guard. Contact me for more information!

Pulled out the Traeger. Made delicious food.

Before and after 🤤 🤤 🤤

A little smoked salmon marinated with honey, soy sauce, minced and grated garlic, ginger, and coriander with jasmine rice and broccoli

Dreaming of warmer days right now, what’s the first thing you plan on throwing on the grill when it gets warm??

Success!!!

Sneak peek at a shoulder I’ll be smoking tomorrow. Trying out a dark chocolate rub! With some Crispys Mango Hanbanero, Cannibal All Purpose, and Gunpowder. Don’t forget to use code Buckeye at checkout to get 10% off!

T Rex sneaking up on the pork shoulder I smoked today using apple cider vinegar and honey habanero sauce. Not the prettiest thing coming off the Pit Boss but looked great once I pulled it.

Cornish hens (not pictured on plate…don’t worry our social media manager is fired 😉), ribs with rpg rib glaze and my homemade coffee rub, cheesy mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and green beans (with an assist to )

Prepare for something amazing!

WERE BACK. WE WILL BE TAKING ORDERS STARTING MONDAY JAN. 10TH.

In the meantime, get your seasonings, sauces, jerky, or pickles from and use code for 10% off.