LEADERSHIP

Anthony M. Shore

Colonel, Brigade Commander (North)

COL Shore began his military service with the DC Military Reserve in 2015 and the U.S. VRC two years later. He served as Judge Advocate General, ACOS Intelligence (G-2), and Inspector General before being assigned Brigade Commander (North), U.S.VRC in 2020. As such, he commands all operations in the middle-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. An attorney for over thirty-five years, COL Shore has held both governmental and corporate attorney positions. He was executive director of the Montgomery County (MD) Revenue Authority and is currently in private practice.

Timothy Hinton

Command Sergeant Major

Division & Brigade North

CSM Hinton is the highest ranking NCO in the U.S. VRC, functioning both as Division and Brigade North Command Sergeant Major. He reports directly to the Division Commander. His military career included 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps from which he retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. In civilian life, CSM Hinton is CEO of a security guard company, firearms instructor, and a licensed private detective. He joined U.S. VRC in 2019 as the 1^st Maryland Battalion CSM and was appointed as Division CSM in 2021.

Charles R. Gilbert

Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, 1^st Maryland BN

LTC Gilbert began his military career with the District of Columbia Military Reserve in 2016 and the U.S. VRC two years later. Rising to the rank of major and executive officer of the 1^st Maryland Battalion, he was appointed battalion commander in 2018 and promoted to his current rank in 2020. He is a licensed attorney with membership in the Maryland and West Virginia bar associations and the U.S. District Court of Maryland. He is owner and CEO of three long-standing local businesses. LTC Gilbert’s certifications include Master MEMS, CPR/AED Instructor, firearms instructor, HAM radio operator, CERT Go-Team Member, scuba diver and private pilot.

Stephen B. Pettway

Captain, Commanding

Lafayette DET, 1^st Virginia BN

CPT Pettway began his military career in the U.S. Navy in 1976, retiring in 1996 as a logistician. He served aboard the USS Nicholson DD-982, USS Savannah AOR-4, USS South Carolina CGN-37, USS Harlan County LST-1196, USS Puget Sound AD-38, and several other ships. In 2007, CPT Pettway joined the Virginia Defense Force retiring as Command Sergeant Major in 2013. His duties included training and logistics. He joined U.S. VRC in 2019 as executive officer of the Lafayette Detachment 1^st Virginia Battalion in Norfolk, VA and then appointed detachment commander in 2020.

Ernest C. Love

Command Sergeant Major

1st Virginia BN

CSM Love entered military service with the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and was trained as a jet mechanic. After several stateside assignments, he spent 13 months in the Republic of Vietnam including during the Tet Offensive. As a mechanic on the F-101 in the top-secret “Voodoo” program he remained in service until retiring in 1998 as a Master Sergeant. Continuing service with the Virginia Defense Force until 2013, CSM Love retired as Brigade Command Sergeant Major. CSM Love joined U.S. VRC in 2018 and currently serves as Command Sergeant Major of the 1^st Virginia Battalion.

Karen K. Holmes

First Sergeant, 1^st Maryland BN

First Sergeant Holmes began her military service with the Maryland Military Department in 2012. In that same year she was named “NCO Soldier of the Year” by the State of Maryland and “Soldier of the Year”, by the State Guard Association of the United States in 2013. Enlisting in the U.S. VRC in 2018, she has served as NCOIC of the Force Protection Unit, a member of the Ceremonial Unit, and as a chaplain’s assistant. In civilian life, First Sergeant Holmes works for the Federal Government as a Safety Officer. She is the recipient of several community service awards including “A Woman of Outstanding Leadership,” by the International Women’s Leadership Association and the Willis Greene Community Service Award.

Patrick M. Adams, Sr.

2LT, Commanding

New England DET

2LT Adams began his military career in the U.S. Army as a Fire Support Specialist. After his military service, his was licensed as a paramedic, and earned both an Associate and Bachelor degrees in Fire Science. He has been a firefighter for 25 years, achieving the rank of Captain. He is qualified as a Water Rescue Technician, Ice Rescue Technician, Confined Space Rescue Technician, Trench Rescue Technician, and holds HAZMAT certifications. He was appointed commanding officer of the New England Detachment in 2021.