James Alex Fields was w/ the Vanguard America folks in #Charlottesville. Learn more about the group > https://t.co/HNloF8Btnf @ADL_National pic.twitter.com/TmJLi0kfZo

— Oren Segal (@orensegal) August 13, 2017

Organizational structure

“…Dillon Irizarry, a military veteran from New Mexico, has been leading the group since early 2016. During a speech at the previously mentioned neo-Nazi gathering in Kentucky, Irizarry said that VA started in California two years ago and that he took over leadership about a year ago. Irizarry also said that the “future is about the youth” and (for that reason) his group base is 18 to 24 years old. At the time, he also claimed approximately 200 members, in 20 different states.
Dillon Irizarry

There are small, active VA chapters in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.”

VA has some paramilitary characteristics. In states with open carry laws, Irizarry, who uses the title Commander, and several other members have openly carried firearms during rallies and protests. The standard uniform for members consists of khaki pants and a white polo.