Fort Pickett

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Blackstone, Virginia
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active
Former Name: Fort Barfoot (2023-2025)

Overview

Fort Pickett is a Virginia Army National Guard installation located near Blackstone, Virginia, in Nottoway County, approximately 55 miles southwest of Richmond. The installation was renamed Fort Barfoot in 2023, honoring Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Van T. Barfoot, as part of the Naming Commission’s renaming of installations previously named for Confederate figures. It was subsequently renamed Fort Pickett in 2025, honoring 1st Lieutenant Vernon W. Pickett, a World War II Distinguished Service Cross recipient. The installation was originally named for Confederate General George E. Pickett. Fort Pickett serves primarily as a training installation for the Virginia National Guard and other reserve component units.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide training support, maneuver space, and facilities for Virginia Army National Guard and other reserve component units; support mobilization and pre-deployment training.
Major Units:
Virginia National Guard — various Brigade and Battalion-level units use Fort Pickett as their primary training installation
183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute (RTI) — provides NCO and officer education for Virginia Guard
Tenant Units:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — has operated detention-related facilities at the installation
Various federal and state agencies use the installation on a periodic basis

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Richmond, VA — approximately 55 miles northeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Richmond International Airport (RIC) — approximately 60 miles northeast
Gate Access: Main gate access during standard duty hours; after-hours access is limited; visitor passes are issued at the installation’s entry control point with a valid government-issued photo ID; as a primarily National Guard installation, access procedures may differ from active duty posts

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 200-400 (primarily permanent party cadre and training support personnel)
Family Members: Limited — primarily associated with permanent party personnel
Civilian Employees: Approximately 200-400
Total Installation Population: Varies significantly based on training rotations; can increase to several thousand during major training exercises

Key Facilities

Medical: Limited medical support on post — primarily sick call capability for trainees; the nearest full-service military medical facility is at Fort Lee (now Fort Gregg-Adams) approximately 40 miles away; civilian medical facilities in Blackstone and Burkeville serve the local area
Commissary: No — the nearest commissary is at Fort Gregg-Adams (approximately 40 miles away)
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Limited — AAFES shoppette or concession on post; the nearest full-service AAFES PX is at Fort Gregg-Adams
Fitness & Recreation: Physical fitness facilities for training units and permanent party; limited MWR facilities compared to larger active installations
Schools: No DoDEA schools on post — students attend Nottoway County Public Schools; Nottoway High School serves secondary students
Childcare: No Child Development Center on post — families use civilian childcare providers in Blackstone and surrounding communities
Veterinary Services: No military veterinary clinic on post — civilian veterinary practices in the Blackstone area serve privately owned animals; nearest Military Veterinary Treatment Facility is at Fort Gregg-Adams
Legal Assistance / JAG: Virginia National Guard JAG provides legal assistance support; contact the installation’s staff judge advocate or the Virginia Guard JAG office for availability and appointment scheduling

Housing

On-Post Housing: Limited on-post family housing — primarily barracks and billeting for transient trainees and students; permanent party officers and NCOs may have access to limited government quarters
Average Wait Time: Not applicable for most personnel — the installation functions primarily as a training post rather than a family-oriented garrison
Off-Post Housing: Blackstone and surrounding Nottoway County communities offer affordable housing; average monthly rent ranges from approximately $800 for a 2-bedroom apartment to $1,200 for a 3-4 bedroom home; the area is rural and housing costs are low
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit or installation S1 for sponsorship information; as a primarily National Guard installation, active duty permanent party assignments are limited
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center or installation headquarters; the process is generally straightforward given the smaller permanent party population
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP support is coordinated through the Virginia National Guard Family Programs office and installation ACS; families should contact the EFMP coordinator prior to a permanent party assignment to identify available support services in the local area

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical climate; summers are hot and humid (average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s F); winters are mild with occasional freezing temperatures and light snow; spring and fall are generally pleasant
Cost of Living: Low relative to national average; Nottoway County and the surrounding rural Southside Virginia region offer very affordable housing and overall cost of living
Nearby Attractions:
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park — approximately 30 miles northeast; significant Civil War site
Lake Chesdin — nearby recreational lake offering fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation
Richmond, VA — approximately 55 miles northeast; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, James River parks, sports, and dining
Spouse Employment: Limited local job market in the rural Nottoway County area; the nearest significant employment centers are Richmond (approximately 55 miles) and Petersburg/Fort Gregg-Adams area (approximately 40 miles); telework and remote employment are important options for military spouses

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.fortpickett.com (Virginia National Guard installation website)
Main Installation Phone: (434) 292-8621
MWR Website: Not publicly available
ACS / Army Community Service: Virginia National Guard Family Programs serves Fort Pickett personnel; contact the Virginia National Guard Family Programs office at (804) 236-7926 for support services

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: Virginia National Guard (vaguard.virginia.gov), U.S. Army IMCOM, Nottoway County Public Schools, Fort Gregg-Adams installation resources