Virginia Department of Military Affairs. To date, it is one of a few US military units that can claim battle participation for campaigns and wars that took place prior to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Virginia Regiment (now the VDF) can also claim participation alongside such storied regiments as the 44th and 48th Infantry regiments (now Royal Anglian Regiment), and the Queen's Royal Hussars of the British Army, and the 5th Regiment de Hussards, 2d Regiment de Dragoons, and 12th Cuirassier Regiment (France) of the French Army due to the campaigns of the 18th century. In March 2020, elements of the Virginia Defense Force were activated to assist in Virginia's COVID-19 response with medical and logistics planning. Mission The mission of the VDF is by the Code of Virginia to support the Virginia National Guard at the following times Provide for an adequately trained organized reserve militia to assume control of Virginia National Guard facilities and to secure any federal and state property left in place in the event of the mobilization of the Virginia National Guard. Assist in the mobilization of the Virginia National Guard. Support the Virginia National Guard in providing family assistance to military dependents within the Commonwealth in the event of the mobilization of the National Guard. Provide a military force to respond to the call of the Governor in those circumstances described in § 44-75.1. Membership Applicants to the VDF must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to obtain membership: Legal Resident of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia A valid Social Security number Age 16 to 65 (Minors require written consent of parent or legal guardian.) Physical ability to perform in any assigned billet No felony convictions Good moral character Uniforms Members of the VDF wear an "M81" woodland-camouflaged version of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU). Officers wear the standard "blues" uniform for dress functions, and the regular Army "Mess Dress" for formal functions. The modifications are brass/gold rank, the Virginia state flag and distinctive unit insignia on the chest pocket. The VDF wear OD green name tags with black lettering, as well as subdued division patches like standard Army issue uniforms. The VDF no longer uses the abbreviation VaDF or State Guard. The command and control is the Department of Military Affairs, Commonwealth of Virginia; or the Virginia Defense Force. Functionality The creation of a state defense force