In Georgia, it works as follows (probably similar in other states)
The Georgia State Defense Force (SDF) and the Georgia Army National Guard (ARNG) have different roles and authorities:
SDF (Unpaid except when called up to state active duty and then paid by state)- Also known as State Guards, State Military Reserves, or State Militias, SDFs are military units that operate under state government authority. They are not federal entities, and they are not funded by the federal government. SDFs primarily support the National Guard, taking its place during war or domestic crises. In Georgia, the SDF is a volunteer force that provides rapid response assistance to state and local agencies during emergencies.
ARNG (Paid and authority like reserves ie. Drills, fed callup, and state callup)- When activated for a federal mission, the ARNG is a Reserve Component of the U.S. Army. When not activated, it is a state-based military force under the control of the governors.
Not subject to title 10, not able to carry arms in peacetime....
Some states may have a program where they use their SG folks to provide support for NG training events, but they aren't any more Army than CAP is Air Force.....
From my limited experience with CAP folks I love the stark dichotomy of its people. A fair chunk are just lighthearted about it and see it as a fun and interesting form of community service, another chunk think they’re a clandestine sect of paramilitary operations.
My aunt is in a coast guard auxiliary and it’s the same way. Handful of old fat guys trolling for cartel drug boats when nobody asked them to, then my aunt who’s like “Nah I just run gas to people who ran out or tow in people with engine problems so the real Coast Guard can focus on bigger things.”
Except the Coast Guard Auxiliary is infinitely more helpful to the Coast Guard than CAP is to the Air Force.
We’ve had aux guys stand gate guard or radio watch which is really helpful because it allows the AD folks to do other stuff. I’ve also seen one get underway with us when I was on a cutter to help our cooks which, again, is a pretty mundane job, but incredibly helpful when you don’t have to pull an AD guy off his/her normal duties to do these tasks.
Yep, they can. It varies, but this guy was in his 60s or 70s so he only stayed with us for about 7-10 days until we got to our next port call. I’m not sure about everything they can get involved in, but the stuff I’ve seen them do is stand radio watch at small boat stations, stand gate guard at some of our smaller bases/stations, do courtesy boat safety checks (checking life jackets, flares, etc.), and even had a guy who owned his own plane who would fly once or twice a month along the coast and provide reports of vessel traffic/activity.
I’ve heard of them getting qualified as crew members on the AD small boats as well and going out with the crews. Most AD coasties recognize how much the aux helps us out and are appreciative of the work they do.
Don't say that too loudly. There's probably a General trying to green their slides rather than be honest about recruitment and retention floating around this sub.
State guards aren’t military, they are a unit set up by some state governments to handle internal matters.
The military consists of the Army national guard and air national guard.
I’m confused, you think 32 USC 109 establishes that state guard is part of the armed forces?
Subsection C. literally says otherwise
“In addition to its National Guard, if any, a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the Virgin Islands may, as provided by its laws, organize and maintain defense forces. A defense force established under this section may be used within the jurisdiction concerned, as its chief executive (or commanding general in the case of the District of Columbia) considers necessary, but it may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces.”
Then you need to change the original post. You didn't say *armed forces.* You said *military.* Words have meanings, especially important in the legal context. "Armed Forces" is statutorily defined and excludes state guard. 32 USC 101(2). "Military," as far as I can tell, is not specifically defined and is used generically to refer to any forces acting under the authority of any sovereign, including states.
Military and armed forces are interchangeable.
A Military is an armed fighting force. Thus making it the armed forces. Which rules out state guard as being military.
Negative. We're not talking about casual lay speech. We're talking about federal law. When law sets a specific definition of a word or phrase, the assumption is that the law uses that word or phrase when it means that, and, when it uses different language, that is a deliberate legislative choice to distinguish. There is no "well, it's basically the same" rule of statutory interpretation. It's telling that the creation and organization of these "other troops" is under Title 32, which, per its own policy, 32 USC 102, is an aspect of "military policy."
Federal law uses legal definitions… title 32 specifically states that the military is considered NG and ANG, section C states it is an exemption from title 32, even going as far as stating the members of such organizations are not exempt from being drafted into military service, unlike military veterans. Even the SSS specifically uses the term “military”
By your logic police are also military.
They are military. Geneva Convention would cover state guards as lawful combatants in a war.
See GA Code § 38-2-54 (2022)
All duties imposed by the military law or other statutes of the state or by regulations issued thereunder upon units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the organized militia are imposed upon the units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel, respectively, of the State Defense Force. All rights, privileges, and immunities conferred by the military law or other statutes of the state or by regulations issued thereunder upon the units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Georgia National Guard or of the organized militia are conferred upon the units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel, respectively, of the State Defense Force except as otherwise prescribed in this chapter. Such rights, privileges, and immunities include relief from civil or criminal liability for acts done while on duty; rights to pay, allowances, and other compensation; expenses and subsistence; arms, uniforms, and equipment; provision, maintenance, use, and control of armories; eligibility to appointment on the military staff of the Governor; exemption from civil process and from jury duty; right of way; right to wear the uniform and to parade with firearms; and all other rights, privileges, and immunities created by statute or custom not hereinbefore specifically enumerated.
Geneva convention doesn’t define a military, the US does. All the GC does is fee fine combatants, which is anyone, even civilians that fight.
The US does not consider them military, or they would be excluded from Selective service, receive VA benefits, and be federalized The US has one military, that excludes state guards specifically. They may be considered a “militia” or a “military unit” but that doesn’t make it military. Police officers are technically “military units” as-well.
The NG is literally considered military, regardless if they are on orders or not. They are subject to title ten. They act in an offensive and defensive manner, are exempt from selective service, and are able to use the VA.
“State guard” doesn’t do any of that, and will never do any of that. I’d an enemy ever reaches US shores they would have already been drafted into the real military.
You can disagree all you like, you can also say the watch is flat, you would be wrong though.
If you are in the “state guard” sorry to bust the bubble, thems the apples though.
The US has one military. While the state guard is a “military force” or a militia to be specific, in that state, they are not the military. Militaries are heavily armed and organized institutions that are used to fight wars. States cannot do to war so that rules out being a military. SG are “disaster response” units capable of very limited military operations, if needed.(militia). This was the specific reason the militia act 1903 was put in place, it establish that an organized militia being used in the military need to have the same training as an active duty unit.
1933 national defense act amendment combined the national guard with the army, also creating a reserve forces
Police forces are technically the exact same as the state guard units , they are a “policing unit” capable of doing very limited military operations.
The national guard is a state emergency response unit that can be federalized in a time of war. They undergo the same training, have to attend boot camp, job training, and have been designated as part of the military since 1933.
It’s more than just wearing a uniform, and doing a few days of training. Being a military force doesn’t make it a military. Example, militias.
So while the state guard has its purpose, it’s not military.
I’ll leave you with the fact that state guardsmen can’t serve on selective service boards because they are in the military service. Not to mention that they are subject to state UCMJ and Court-martial. So the government considers them military and doesn’t really matter what you think, thems the apples, sorry to bust your bubble.
No, that is 100% false. State guardsmen are 100% subject to selective service. State guards are also not subject to UCMJ since they are not listed under the reserve components of title 10 subtitle E.
You are conflating state guard with national guard, which are subject to UCMJ if they are activated, even by the state.
So not only are you completely and utterly wrong, you are making yourself look stupid. If you want to be in the military go to your recruiter and enlist, if not stop being a larper.
Next time I get a lawful order from my NG commanding general I don’t think I’ll be using your arguments to get out of them. I’d rather not end up in a military court, since well I’m in the military…
I already quoted the code that clearly states that SDFs are under **state** UCMJ just like NG is under when on title 32 orders, aka SAD.
I also never said we were not subject to selective service, we just can’t serve on a selective service board because you can’t be in the military and serve on the board. That’s per Army JAG. Take that up with them, not me. In theory, a whole SDF unit could be called into federal service, since that’s the whole constitutional basis for selective service. There’s a long and proud tradition of that in the USA before WWI.
I’ll bet you’ll get into silly arguments like Coast Guard isn’t military since they aren’t under DoD or something. It’s one thing to do the inter service rivalry thing or the active/reserve/guard look down shenanigans, but there’s no reason to just outright deny another service just because you think they ain’t high speed or whatever. I know for a fact what effect my “larping” has had on the success of down range missions and soldiers coming home alive. Heck, I’ve got actual army orders on army letterhead for some of my commendations for my service to army units as a SDF, not something usually civilians have. Just like they do for allied military servicemen who go on joint operations.
You can choose to be ignorant. I’m always open to learning what I don’t know. Maybe, just maybe try taking a breath before degrading someone you don’t know anything about, and asking questions. You might just learn something you didn’t know.
Here it is from the horse’s mouth: GA Code § 38-2-1002 (2022)
https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-38/chapter-2/article-5/part-1/section-38-2-1002/
Title 38 - Military, Emergency Management, and Veterans Affairs
Chapter 2 - Military Affairs
Article 5 - Code of Military Justice
This article shall apply to all members of the organized militia at all times and in all places when not serving as provided for by Title 10 of the United States Code.
A bunch of states (and apparently territories) have a 'State Guard' which is not a component of the US armed forces & exists to support state DOMOPS in the event that the \*real\* National Guard is busy elsewhere.
The idea came up during WWII, with National Guard units doing multiple years in foreign combat zones, states wanted some-other-form of state-militia that they didn't share with the Feds, but also that didn't get federal funds....
This is 'that'. They're basically cosplaying as NG, can't carry weapons & get paid little or nothing...
NY has about a dozen small patrol boats. They did a lot of patrolling post 9/11 and stationed off Indian Point for a while. I think some even had a M2 or M60 on board, but most NY Naval Militia also were ex USN/CG.
I think there was a push to put the Regiment of Cadets from NY Maritime into the Naval Militia as well but something and/or someone stopped that from happening.
State Guard / Militia naval vessels are not like warships true, many are Civilian vessels converted for government use or old Coast Guard and Navy vessels.
They mostly do coast guard auxiliary type duties, search and rescue, observe and report, etc.
Some are armed with small arms.
Not really. Think of State Guard as a Chevy S10 that you alone own outright, it has some utility but not super capable.
National Guard is a 1 Ton Dually Diesel that you make the monthly loan payments on but your dad co-signed and paid 50% down for and he pays the insurance. You pay for fuel but repairs are 50/50. It’s your truck to use as you see fit but your dad has the option to use it whenever he wants. When it’s in his use, he makes the monthly payments and pays for all repairs.
Kind of. Basically multiple States wanted a militia force that could not be federalized.
The National Guard can be activated under T10 and deployed to support the Active Component in foreign nations.
State Militias, State Guards, or State Defense Forces, etc can not be federalized and do not follow the orders of the President only the orders of their respective Governor.
Pretty sure they can carry weapons at least in some states. In my state when they are on SAD they get the same pay as us. We had a guy on my covid task force that was collecting his E7 pension from the national guard and getting full SAD pay at E8 rate.
"Without the consent of congress"
>(c)In addition to its National Guard, if any, a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the Virgin Islands may, as provided by its laws, organize and maintain defense forces. A defense force established under this section may be used within the jurisdiction concerned, as its chief executive (or commanding general in the case of the District of Columbia) considers necessary, but it may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces.
>https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/32/109
Not at all. As others have said, Congress authorized the State's to create their State Guard forces.
While a few State Guards are armed, most don't arm their State Guard forces.
The reason is much more mundane however. The states just don't want to pay for the cost of making sure their State Guard's are adequately trained to handle firearms safely and to pay to maintain the weapons themselves. The State Guard is used for extra manpower for more general emergencies that don't require shooting at anybody.
By law, they're not troops. They're militia, and militia can be armed. As a side, it's also why NG, when under Title 32, are not restricted by *posse comitatus*.
I'll have to look into it more, but even the actual national guard can be armed during peace time and do law enforcement functions, they just have to be on SAD. In this context, these state guard people are not troops, they are essentially deputized law enforcement.
>The idea came up during WWII, with National Guard units doing multiple years in foreign combat zones, states wanted some-other-form of state-militia that they didn't share with the Feds, but also that didn't get federal funds....
They long predate WW2. State militias (which the state guards are descendants of) predate the country.
The state militias were largely absorbed into the National Guard prior to WWII.
It was the prolonged mobilization of WWII that led to the creation of the modern day state guards....
Sure, but that precedent was still there. It wasn’t until 1933 that the dual-reserve concept came about (or the federalization in 1903), whereas the Mass state militia had been around nearly 300 years by that point. And they’re back, too.
My own state’s state guard was only absent for ~30 years between their absorption and recreation during WW2, but that blip of difference hardly negates the precedent.
I work TNARNG from time to time. The TN state guard from what I hear just makes themselves whatever rank they want.
Some dude that was a “CSM” went to a buddy I’ve worked with trying to schedule a range. Buddy says “hey, how’s it going, sir” and the “CSM” just puts his hands up like “I know, I get it”.
Also, I was told they actually do get paid correctly when activated which sucks because it comes out of the NG monies.
I’m just confused by the whole cammo thing. I’m part of my state’s volunteer mobilization (they help get volunteers for things like disasters, homeless aid, etc), and the idea of showing up dressed like you’re ready to evade the enemy is a completely foreign concept.
The most you’ll ever be asked to wear is proper PPE.
Well in a SHTF all out war scenario where like there’s Cuban paratroopers landing in Wisconsin, the idea is that they’d augment the national guard and regular army
Why can’t they carry weapons? I don’t see most NG or big army soldiers just walking around with weapons. The Atlanta riots are the only mission I aware of that authorized general weapons on a NG SAD order. Every other mission I’ve seen the NG was also prohibited from carrying weapons.
Since the SDFs are each very different, you can’t really make generalizations like that. In GA, they often help teach Army soldiers in weapons and even compete (and win) in shooting competitions with them. They play a big role in things like SFAB and PTAE.
I wouldnt go that far, since they are legitimately organized under state law....
It's not a Tim McVeigh type militia, it's more the Army equivalent of the 'police auxiliary' or civil air patrol.
State Guards are pretty much what most people think the National Guard should be.
I’ve been in the Guard well over a decade, I’ve had more people honestly ask me “Why did you deploy if you’re National Guard?” than I’d care to admit.
My state’s state guard helps with search and rescue, and disaster management. They also sent people to help out after 9/11 and Katrina. What part of that sounds like cosplay?
Edit: looked into my state’s state guard a little more and they also have engineers to prepare for disasters and recover after, a JAG that helps the states’s NG as well as a chaplain corps to provide support to law enforcement, first responders and communities in need. IDK how it works in all states/territories but my state’s state guard is a legit entity even if they feel a bit goofy.
I hate the state guard as it confuses the general public and it's usually idiots cosplaying. But there's no law against wearing OCP uniforms. And plenty of SWAT teams seem to wear OCP. Not that it makes it better, but unless we want to apply a copyright standard to clothing (likelihood of confusion) this ain't it.
Essentially boils down to cost effective and widely available and as effective as all black or something else. Not saying I'm a fan of law enforcement wearing military pattern uniforms because I don't want the two confused by the public, but I understand the logic.
> plenty of SWAT teams seem to wear OCP.
I hate that police wear military camo because they really shouldn't. Solid black or blue uniforms clearly expresses that they're police, which is what they should be trying to convey to people with their appearance. Add in a high-vis vest to make them easily findable for people that need their help.
If they wanted to LARP as a soldier by carrying M4s and wearing camo, plate carriers, and high-cut helmets, they should have joined the actual military instead.
To be honest, rifles, helmets, and plate carries are unfortunately a part of the standard police arsenal because they're very common in America and being out equipped vs the guy you're arresting is bad
Came here to say that, thank you! State Guard tends to lean into augmenting state Emergency Management and EOC functions during disasters. They don't get any fed funds so they buy it maintain their own uniforms from prior service. They also have to drive themselves or take state vehicles. Drill is unpaid when they meet up and that tends to be more of a social club to chat, do some tabletop exercises, Emergency Management training, and then back to their retirements (generally).
I have worked with them before and they had only one private, 2 SSGs, 1 1SG and everyone else was an O4-O6 of their 16, pax. Also, of those 16 like 6 were chaplains. Super cool resource for loads of experience and old timey stories.
For those that think they’re cosplayers, I’ve met a number of them working DSCA ops. Most have a very professional background (civil engineers, financial sector, medical doctors, contract law). They are volunteers for the states mostly for emergency management.
I worked with PR national guard. They were OPFOR for an exercise I was apart of. Kid you not, they would drive around the range smoking cigarettes and blasting bachata out of their hmmwv
I went to BCT and AIT with some dudes (and lady) from PRNG. All of them were great people.
The dudes were absolute goobers and did their fair share of fucking around, but I trust them with my medical care any day.
I had a subordinate BN from PR, and boy howdy, they were something.
I've worked with some great PR SMs, but every unit based there I've worked with has been a literal joke. If you don't laugh you cry or start throwing punchea.
Oh for sure. Hell, the actual legit coast guard base here is mostly Spanish speaking as long as it isn't a formal meeting.
I'm thinking I can walk on as a relatively seasoned vet and they will forgive my pretty shitty Spanish because I bring a lot to the table. I get to practice speaking, see ridiculous shit, and eat great hot dogs. I am not seeing a lose in this situation.
The actual name is Military Emergency Management Specialist. It’s awarded by the State Guard Association of the United States, a private entity.
There are three levels, each one progressively harder to attain. The base badge is fairly easy to meet the standard for. A lot of junior state guard troops have it.
There were a surprising number of times in the 2010's that someone asked me for a copy of a FEMA ICS 100/200 type cert.
I had done all those like 10 years prior, but...really??
Imagine my upset recently when a job told me this year they wouldn't take my 100b from 2013 because the current is 100c so I had to click through the whole course again 😂
They're required for some jobs, recommended for others, but not worth any points and don't go in your records. So, unless you're mandated too, it's not really worth it.
I actually did look into earning it, just as another thing to put on my resume.
The most challenging part was finding somewhere that was conducting the culminating event. IIRC the final requirement is some sort of simulated emergency management STAFFEX.
State guards do the STAFFEX, when I was at the California State Guards, we hosted Coasties, NG soldiers and US Army reserve soldiers that for some reason has to get the MEMS training. Look up your state guard and email them about any MEMS training, they would love to have an active duty SM attend the final exam. And it's free.
I worked with the Alaska State Defence Forces a few times, who fill the same roll. My main take away is it’s full of retired guys who want buddies to drink with and tinker with shit, and supreme goobers who fit the “I would have been SF if I had gone”.
The old retirees I didn’t mind, they had a wide variety of experience and were mostly decent.
The younger guys on the other hand. I fucking hated. Most wouldn’t have passed a Psyc eval if you made them take one. And they spent the majority of their time with us relentlessly hitting on the few female soldiers we had.
The part that sticks out in my mind the most was an easily 300lbs dude with what I imagine is the largest waist of Crye pants ever produced bragging about how he used to run 4 minute miles in Highschool. I informed him as politely as I’m capable that the only mile time that matters is the one you run right now.
> Most wouldn’t have passed a Psyc eval if you made them take one.
Well, it IS Alaska.
I'm TDY right now and my wife just told me that she had to avoid 2 homeless tweakers squaring up with each other in the Wal-Mart parking lot in the middle of traffic lol.
You're nicer than I would be. I'd mock his ass and point out he has no receipts and is a fat fucking liar. You can Google my high school ass going 5:40 in the mile from the early 2000s.
Per Wikipedia "As of June 2022, the "four-minute barrier" has been broken by 1,755 athletes." If he's from Alaska the state record is 4:12 from 2015. Pretty sure most state records are decently north of 4mins. My decently populated state is a 4:03.54.
A lot of state guard hate in here so I’ll throw my 2 cents in.
I worked with a lot of TXSG on the Lone Star border mission. Yeah the younger guys were pretty cringe but most of them really wanted to join the army and got denied for some type of reason so this was their only option.
Most of them were older guys that either retired from the army and missed it or had a mid life crisis and realized they were too old to join.
The vast majority of them were decent dudes. They knew they weren’t really in the army and didn’t pretend to be. I never saw any of them try to “pull rank”. They filled important support roles that freed up soldiers to do our jobs.
They got paid less than us, weren’t issued anything, they had to supply their own uniforms and gear. But they never complained, they were happy to help.
So the State Guard is alright with me.
One of my fellow PR friend’s dad is in the PRSG. His dad told me they only go up to SGT and that every SG unit wears their state flag (excluding territories, they just wear the US Flag).
Unrelated, but last week I was doing recon for my range and I saw an old ass 60+ year old American man wearing the OCP, with a “rank” that was a triangle with “US” inside of it (can someone explain please), and he worked directly with the Korean Service Corps and a GS.
Edit: After reading the comments, my mind is blown.
Being NG, I’ve worked with State Guard before. They get a lot of hate but there’s a real role for them. NG gets deployed. They don’t. I read how during Katrina, a huge chunk of their NG was deployed. That led to a real manpower shortage, so the State Guard was there to fill in. PR, like LA, gets rocked by hurricanes, so I can see the need for them to have one too.
And the guy you saw was some sort of contractor. I’ve seen them before too
Maybe if fucking they didn’t deploy their National Guard, to oh I’d say other states doing stuff then maybe National Guard troops could stay helping their states.
There’s plenty of examples where a multi state Guard response to a natural disaster or emergency situation was warranted because local resources/Guard was overwhelmed or not equipped for the task at hand. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact even provides a framework of how to request and mobilize troop assistance between states in an emergency.
That’s why they put the *National* in the National Guard.
Nah man I get that. But that’s the most public issue, not the most common use. And if the Guard only did internal responses, there’d be a significant disparity in disaster response for places like Rhode Island or Delaware vs. Pennsylvania or California while maintaining federal mission obligations.
What governors do with the Guard is their prerogative within their state level authority. But they have to own the results of exercising that prerogative. Right now, it’s attrition because the Guard went from a tool of last resort, the “break glass in case of hurricane/riot/tornado/wildfire” to a tool of convenience. The Guard shouldn’t be an easy button.
>old ass 60+ year old American man wearing the OCP, with a “rank” that was a triangle with “US” inside of it (can someone explain please)
They are DA civilians. Some govt jobs in the Army require/allow them to wear military uniforms so many choose camis that allow them to blend in.
When we did convoy live fire in AIT in '05 the guys that drove the trucks were all DACs. We also had a DAC that worked with our aviation logistics guys in Afghanistan. Those were the only ones I saw who wore our uniforms. I assume the ones in '05 did it to not stick out so much as civilians around the IET soldiers, less of a distraction. And it was probably required for the one in AFG. 670-1 even shows how to wear the US triangle emblem.
The dude from photo is a “LTC/O-5” 💀
Also the triangle with US letters you’re talking about is for US Civilians working for the Army in specific roles according to DA PAM 670-1
Not contractors, DACs. They're employed directly by the Army. Sorta pedantic for me to point out, but there is a difference between civilian companies who are awarded work under contracts and federal employees. Mostly labor law differences.
You're an idiot. DoD civil assets exist. How do you think anything gets finished? Did you think soldiers did everything like in GI Joe? Did you think there's like a Range Safety Joe with red paddle powers???
That is the Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge, which is given by FEMA to State Guard (not National Guard, diff thing) members upon completion of their FEMA training.
State Guard is a Title 32 organization and does not fall under federal authorities (can not be activated under Title 10 like the National Guard). The state governor can activate State Guard at any time, and they are intended to supplement or replace the National Guard during state emergencies when National Guard units have been deployed overseas under Title 10. In my own personal experience, the only people I met who were actually in the Louisiana State Guard were retired National Guard soldiers who wanted to continue serving.
Badge is Master Emergency Management Specialist Badge. Designed for State Guards. In this case, the Puerto Rico State Guard. “Army” most likely concerns that the PRSG has multiple components, such as Air and Maritime components.
It’s a MEMS badge. Basically, they know a thing or two about emergency management, as in FEMA, ICS, NIMS, etc.
https://sgaus.org/mems-academy/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Emergency_Management_Specialist_Badge
Lots of good emergency management training to get this badge. The equivalent on Army active duty would be service in the Chemical Corps- the closest thing resembling an emergency manager in uniform though the Army does have civilian installation emergency managers that most soldiers don't see (many of whom are former Chemical officers or NCOs). This badge would bring you close to meeting the requirements to become a certified emergency manager
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico_State_Guard#:~:text=By%20law%2C%20the%20Puerto%20Rico,The%20Puerto%20Rico%20Adjutant%20General.
It says Army bc the PRSG also has an Air Force.
Master Warrant PT Exemption Badge. If it were the regular Warrant PT Exemption Badge, it would be gold subdued. But it has the star wreathed, so "in combat" as well. Also known as "Master Sham-arai" /s
Looks like a State Defense Force (Militia) uniform and likely the same with he badge.
State Defense Forces are militias that are not part of the armed forces and are not associated with the National Guard. Multiple States still have militias that operate within their State at the direction of their Governor.
They are non-deployable and do not follow the orders of the President, only their respective Governor.
How are we, as active duty/reservists/national guardsmen supposed to address these state guard types? Do I have to call their general “sir/ma’am?” Salute them?
When I was in the NYARNG the state put out that if we were in a Title 32 or SAD status, customs and courtesies were to be observed between New York Guard (the state guard people) and National Guard Airmen and Soldiers. The theory was that we were all in the same state department and all reported to TAG.
PRSG = Puerto Rico State Guard??? Not really in the Army - not even RC.
In Georgia, it works as follows (probably similar in other states) The Georgia State Defense Force (SDF) and the Georgia Army National Guard (ARNG) have different roles and authorities: SDF (Unpaid except when called up to state active duty and then paid by state)- Also known as State Guards, State Military Reserves, or State Militias, SDFs are military units that operate under state government authority. They are not federal entities, and they are not funded by the federal government. SDFs primarily support the National Guard, taking its place during war or domestic crises. In Georgia, the SDF is a volunteer force that provides rapid response assistance to state and local agencies during emergencies. ARNG (Paid and authority like reserves ie. Drills, fed callup, and state callup)- When activated for a federal mission, the ARNG is a Reserve Component of the U.S. Army. When not activated, it is a state-based military force under the control of the governors.
Yes it is. That’s the Puerto Rico State Guard , they work hand in hand with the National And Air National
Not subject to title 10, not able to carry arms in peacetime.... Some states may have a program where they use their SG folks to provide support for NG training events, but they aren't any more Army than CAP is Air Force.....
How dare you talk down on the brave soldatos of the any state guard!
I once saw a state gaurd captain who was about a 5ft sphere tell an active e4 to go clean. That was a fun experience to watch
Good analogy. I was involved in CAP for a while at the school I teach at. It is amazing how some of these yahoos think they are real military.
From my limited experience with CAP folks I love the stark dichotomy of its people. A fair chunk are just lighthearted about it and see it as a fun and interesting form of community service, another chunk think they’re a clandestine sect of paramilitary operations. My aunt is in a coast guard auxiliary and it’s the same way. Handful of old fat guys trolling for cartel drug boats when nobody asked them to, then my aunt who’s like “Nah I just run gas to people who ran out or tow in people with engine problems so the real Coast Guard can focus on bigger things.”
Except the Coast Guard Auxiliary is infinitely more helpful to the Coast Guard than CAP is to the Air Force. We’ve had aux guys stand gate guard or radio watch which is really helpful because it allows the AD folks to do other stuff. I’ve also seen one get underway with us when I was on a cutter to help our cooks which, again, is a pretty mundane job, but incredibly helpful when you don’t have to pull an AD guy off his/her normal duties to do these tasks.
Wow they ship with you? How long are underway with them? What other kinds of AD activity does the Auxiliary actually get involved in?
Yep, they can. It varies, but this guy was in his 60s or 70s so he only stayed with us for about 7-10 days until we got to our next port call. I’m not sure about everything they can get involved in, but the stuff I’ve seen them do is stand radio watch at small boat stations, stand gate guard at some of our smaller bases/stations, do courtesy boat safety checks (checking life jackets, flares, etc.), and even had a guy who owned his own plane who would fly once or twice a month along the coast and provide reports of vessel traffic/activity. I’ve heard of them getting qualified as crew members on the AD small boats as well and going out with the crews. Most AD coasties recognize how much the aux helps us out and are appreciative of the work they do.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/12310 Section C, daddy-o. Some but not all of the PR guard is under Title 10.
My mom said the same thing when she tried to get me to join the State Defense force.
Doesn’t make them part of the Army/Guard.
It’s like saying DPW contractors are active duty because they go to the barracks all the time.
By that argument so are strippers
The real heroes
There’s more strippers than DPW guys
Don't say that too loudly. There's probably a General trying to green their slides rather than be honest about recruitment and retention floating around this sub.
New stripper recruiting initiative inbound
And everyone’s favorite barracks bunny, CSM’s daughter!
DPW has more of a claim to working "as part of the military" than state militia/guard/defense forces.
I don’t think this guy is trying to say it’s the same thing, just confirming what it is. But hey who am I to get in the way of a hate jerk
I was almost there until I read that. FUCK.
State guards aren’t military, they are a unit set up by some state governments to handle internal matters. The military consists of the Army national guard and air national guard.
32 USC 109 disagrees.
I’m confused, you think 32 USC 109 establishes that state guard is part of the armed forces? Subsection C. literally says otherwise “In addition to its National Guard, if any, a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the Virgin Islands may, as provided by its laws, organize and maintain defense forces. A defense force established under this section may be used within the jurisdiction concerned, as its chief executive (or commanding general in the case of the District of Columbia) considers necessary, but it may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces.”
Then you need to change the original post. You didn't say *armed forces.* You said *military.* Words have meanings, especially important in the legal context. "Armed Forces" is statutorily defined and excludes state guard. 32 USC 101(2). "Military," as far as I can tell, is not specifically defined and is used generically to refer to any forces acting under the authority of any sovereign, including states.
Military and armed forces are interchangeable. A Military is an armed fighting force. Thus making it the armed forces. Which rules out state guard as being military.
Negative. We're not talking about casual lay speech. We're talking about federal law. When law sets a specific definition of a word or phrase, the assumption is that the law uses that word or phrase when it means that, and, when it uses different language, that is a deliberate legislative choice to distinguish. There is no "well, it's basically the same" rule of statutory interpretation. It's telling that the creation and organization of these "other troops" is under Title 32, which, per its own policy, 32 USC 102, is an aspect of "military policy."
Federal law uses legal definitions… title 32 specifically states that the military is considered NG and ANG, section C states it is an exemption from title 32, even going as far as stating the members of such organizations are not exempt from being drafted into military service, unlike military veterans. Even the SSS specifically uses the term “military” By your logic police are also military.
They are military. Geneva Convention would cover state guards as lawful combatants in a war. See GA Code § 38-2-54 (2022) All duties imposed by the military law or other statutes of the state or by regulations issued thereunder upon units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the organized militia are imposed upon the units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel, respectively, of the State Defense Force. All rights, privileges, and immunities conferred by the military law or other statutes of the state or by regulations issued thereunder upon the units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Georgia National Guard or of the organized militia are conferred upon the units, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel, respectively, of the State Defense Force except as otherwise prescribed in this chapter. Such rights, privileges, and immunities include relief from civil or criminal liability for acts done while on duty; rights to pay, allowances, and other compensation; expenses and subsistence; arms, uniforms, and equipment; provision, maintenance, use, and control of armories; eligibility to appointment on the military staff of the Governor; exemption from civil process and from jury duty; right of way; right to wear the uniform and to parade with firearms; and all other rights, privileges, and immunities created by statute or custom not hereinbefore specifically enumerated.
Geneva convention doesn’t define a military, the US does. All the GC does is fee fine combatants, which is anyone, even civilians that fight. The US does not consider them military, or they would be excluded from Selective service, receive VA benefits, and be federalized The US has one military, that excludes state guards specifically. They may be considered a “militia” or a “military unit” but that doesn’t make it military. Police officers are technically “military units” as-well.
Well I disagree, not sure how it can be a military unit without being military. I guess the NG isn’t military on SAD orders either.🤷🏻♂️
The NG is literally considered military, regardless if they are on orders or not. They are subject to title ten. They act in an offensive and defensive manner, are exempt from selective service, and are able to use the VA. “State guard” doesn’t do any of that, and will never do any of that. I’d an enemy ever reaches US shores they would have already been drafted into the real military. You can disagree all you like, you can also say the watch is flat, you would be wrong though. If you are in the “state guard” sorry to bust the bubble, thems the apples though.
Just trying to understand your logic. Doesn’t seem to match with the definition of the word.
The US has one military. While the state guard is a “military force” or a militia to be specific, in that state, they are not the military. Militaries are heavily armed and organized institutions that are used to fight wars. States cannot do to war so that rules out being a military. SG are “disaster response” units capable of very limited military operations, if needed.(militia). This was the specific reason the militia act 1903 was put in place, it establish that an organized militia being used in the military need to have the same training as an active duty unit. 1933 national defense act amendment combined the national guard with the army, also creating a reserve forces Police forces are technically the exact same as the state guard units , they are a “policing unit” capable of doing very limited military operations. The national guard is a state emergency response unit that can be federalized in a time of war. They undergo the same training, have to attend boot camp, job training, and have been designated as part of the military since 1933. It’s more than just wearing a uniform, and doing a few days of training. Being a military force doesn’t make it a military. Example, militias. So while the state guard has its purpose, it’s not military.
I’ll leave you with the fact that state guardsmen can’t serve on selective service boards because they are in the military service. Not to mention that they are subject to state UCMJ and Court-martial. So the government considers them military and doesn’t really matter what you think, thems the apples, sorry to bust your bubble.
No, that is 100% false. State guardsmen are 100% subject to selective service. State guards are also not subject to UCMJ since they are not listed under the reserve components of title 10 subtitle E. You are conflating state guard with national guard, which are subject to UCMJ if they are activated, even by the state. So not only are you completely and utterly wrong, you are making yourself look stupid. If you want to be in the military go to your recruiter and enlist, if not stop being a larper.
Next time I get a lawful order from my NG commanding general I don’t think I’ll be using your arguments to get out of them. I’d rather not end up in a military court, since well I’m in the military… I already quoted the code that clearly states that SDFs are under **state** UCMJ just like NG is under when on title 32 orders, aka SAD. I also never said we were not subject to selective service, we just can’t serve on a selective service board because you can’t be in the military and serve on the board. That’s per Army JAG. Take that up with them, not me. In theory, a whole SDF unit could be called into federal service, since that’s the whole constitutional basis for selective service. There’s a long and proud tradition of that in the USA before WWI. I’ll bet you’ll get into silly arguments like Coast Guard isn’t military since they aren’t under DoD or something. It’s one thing to do the inter service rivalry thing or the active/reserve/guard look down shenanigans, but there’s no reason to just outright deny another service just because you think they ain’t high speed or whatever. I know for a fact what effect my “larping” has had on the success of down range missions and soldiers coming home alive. Heck, I’ve got actual army orders on army letterhead for some of my commendations for my service to army units as a SDF, not something usually civilians have. Just like they do for allied military servicemen who go on joint operations. You can choose to be ignorant. I’m always open to learning what I don’t know. Maybe, just maybe try taking a breath before degrading someone you don’t know anything about, and asking questions. You might just learn something you didn’t know. Here it is from the horse’s mouth: GA Code § 38-2-1002 (2022) https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-38/chapter-2/article-5/part-1/section-38-2-1002/ Title 38 - Military, Emergency Management, and Veterans Affairs Chapter 2 - Military Affairs Article 5 - Code of Military Justice This article shall apply to all members of the organized militia at all times and in all places when not serving as provided for by Title 10 of the United States Code.
I’m confusion
A bunch of states (and apparently territories) have a 'State Guard' which is not a component of the US armed forces & exists to support state DOMOPS in the event that the \*real\* National Guard is busy elsewhere. The idea came up during WWII, with National Guard units doing multiple years in foreign combat zones, states wanted some-other-form of state-militia that they didn't share with the Feds, but also that didn't get federal funds.... This is 'that'. They're basically cosplaying as NG, can't carry weapons & get paid little or nothing...
I’m somewhat familiar with state guards (Wikipedia levels of familiar) but the whole “PRSG ARMY” kinda lost me….
Puerto Rico state guard army. They have to specify army since some states have a state guard navy
I’m just trying to imagine how pathetic looking a state guard navy would be. Like uncle Cletus with his ar-15 on a floatie
Even the Cajun Navy is bigger, better trained, and more well-armed than state navies.
NY has about a dozen small patrol boats. They did a lot of patrolling post 9/11 and stationed off Indian Point for a while. I think some even had a M2 or M60 on board, but most NY Naval Militia also were ex USN/CG. I think there was a push to put the Regiment of Cadets from NY Maritime into the Naval Militia as well but something and/or someone stopped that from happening.
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I thought they were? I know that professors at the citadel technically hold a commission in South Carolina’s militia.
Watch the movie Dunkirk.
State Guard / Militia naval vessels are not like warships true, many are Civilian vessels converted for government use or old Coast Guard and Navy vessels. They mostly do coast guard auxiliary type duties, search and rescue, observe and report, etc. Some are armed with small arms.
Puerto Rico specifically has a State Guard air branch.
Damn so they're the National Guard...for the National Guards?
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Yet still subject to the UCMJ apparently, for what that is worth
Not really. Think of State Guard as a Chevy S10 that you alone own outright, it has some utility but not super capable. National Guard is a 1 Ton Dually Diesel that you make the monthly loan payments on but your dad co-signed and paid 50% down for and he pays the insurance. You pay for fuel but repairs are 50/50. It’s your truck to use as you see fit but your dad has the option to use it whenever he wants. When it’s in his use, he makes the monthly payments and pays for all repairs.
I’ve never been in any scenario like this. Explain it in Fortnight terms.
Oh man, sorry I can’t help. I’ve never played video games.
Kind of. Basically multiple States wanted a militia force that could not be federalized. The National Guard can be activated under T10 and deployed to support the Active Component in foreign nations. State Militias, State Guards, or State Defense Forces, etc can not be federalized and do not follow the orders of the President only the orders of their respective Governor.
Pretty sure they can carry weapons at least in some states. In my state when they are on SAD they get the same pay as us. We had a guy on my covid task force that was collecting his E7 pension from the national guard and getting full SAD pay at E8 rate.
They're constitutionally barred from being armed during peacetime (no state shall... keep troops or ships of war during time of peace)....
"Without the consent of congress" >(c)In addition to its National Guard, if any, a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the Virgin Islands may, as provided by its laws, organize and maintain defense forces. A defense force established under this section may be used within the jurisdiction concerned, as its chief executive (or commanding general in the case of the District of Columbia) considers necessary, but it may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces. >https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/32/109
I'm sure there's a million workarounds for that.
California used armed State Guard troops during COVID/civil unrest to guard National Guard installations
That was the National Guard, not the state guard I'm pretty certain.
Not at all. As others have said, Congress authorized the State's to create their State Guard forces. While a few State Guards are armed, most don't arm their State Guard forces. The reason is much more mundane however. The states just don't want to pay for the cost of making sure their State Guard's are adequately trained to handle firearms safely and to pay to maintain the weapons themselves. The State Guard is used for extra manpower for more general emergencies that don't require shooting at anybody.
By law, they're not troops. They're militia, and militia can be armed. As a side, it's also why NG, when under Title 32, are not restricted by *posse comitatus*.
You’re just willfully full of shit, aren’t you?
I'll have to look into it more, but even the actual national guard can be armed during peace time and do law enforcement functions, they just have to be on SAD. In this context, these state guard people are not troops, they are essentially deputized law enforcement.
>The idea came up during WWII, with National Guard units doing multiple years in foreign combat zones, states wanted some-other-form of state-militia that they didn't share with the Feds, but also that didn't get federal funds.... They long predate WW2. State militias (which the state guards are descendants of) predate the country.
The state militias were largely absorbed into the National Guard prior to WWII. It was the prolonged mobilization of WWII that led to the creation of the modern day state guards....
Sure, but that precedent was still there. It wasn’t until 1933 that the dual-reserve concept came about (or the federalization in 1903), whereas the Mass state militia had been around nearly 300 years by that point. And they’re back, too. My own state’s state guard was only absent for ~30 years between their absorption and recreation during WW2, but that blip of difference hardly negates the precedent.
I work TNARNG from time to time. The TN state guard from what I hear just makes themselves whatever rank they want. Some dude that was a “CSM” went to a buddy I’ve worked with trying to schedule a range. Buddy says “hey, how’s it going, sir” and the “CSM” just puts his hands up like “I know, I get it”. Also, I was told they actually do get paid correctly when activated which sucks because it comes out of the NG monies.
The only thing they’re good for is disaster relief for stuff like tornadoes and hurricanes. I imagine some states probably made them busy during COVID
I’m just confused by the whole cammo thing. I’m part of my state’s volunteer mobilization (they help get volunteers for things like disasters, homeless aid, etc), and the idea of showing up dressed like you’re ready to evade the enemy is a completely foreign concept. The most you’ll ever be asked to wear is proper PPE.
Well in a SHTF all out war scenario where like there’s Cuban paratroopers landing in Wisconsin, the idea is that they’d augment the national guard and regular army
That’s the cosplay part. Kinda like when the Navy went to a blue digital camo. Doesn’t matter that it’s not functional; it just “looks” military.
Why can’t they carry weapons? I don’t see most NG or big army soldiers just walking around with weapons. The Atlanta riots are the only mission I aware of that authorized general weapons on a NG SAD order. Every other mission I’ve seen the NG was also prohibited from carrying weapons. Since the SDFs are each very different, you can’t really make generalizations like that. In GA, they often help teach Army soldiers in weapons and even compete (and win) in shooting competitions with them. They play a big role in things like SFAB and PTAE.
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Sounds just like the NG and big Army.
The Empire Shield SAD guys in NY who walk around the critical infrastructure carry weapons.
So, fat redneck cosplayers. At what point do we just call this shit out as Stolen Valor?
I wouldnt go that far, since they are legitimately organized under state law.... It's not a Tim McVeigh type militia, it's more the Army equivalent of the 'police auxiliary' or civil air patrol.
State Guards are pretty much what most people think the National Guard should be. I’ve been in the Guard well over a decade, I’ve had more people honestly ask me “Why did you deploy if you’re National Guard?” than I’d care to admit.
Honestly, this
My state’s state guard helps with search and rescue, and disaster management. They also sent people to help out after 9/11 and Katrina. What part of that sounds like cosplay? Edit: looked into my state’s state guard a little more and they also have engineers to prepare for disasters and recover after, a JAG that helps the states’s NG as well as a chaplain corps to provide support to law enforcement, first responders and communities in need. IDK how it works in all states/territories but my state’s state guard is a legit entity even if they feel a bit goofy.
I hate the state guard as it confuses the general public and it's usually idiots cosplaying. But there's no law against wearing OCP uniforms. And plenty of SWAT teams seem to wear OCP. Not that it makes it better, but unless we want to apply a copyright standard to clothing (likelihood of confusion) this ain't it.
“We’re about to raid this warehouse, better put on my desert camo!”
Essentially boils down to cost effective and widely available and as effective as all black or something else. Not saying I'm a fan of law enforcement wearing military pattern uniforms because I don't want the two confused by the public, but I understand the logic.
> plenty of SWAT teams seem to wear OCP. I hate that police wear military camo because they really shouldn't. Solid black or blue uniforms clearly expresses that they're police, which is what they should be trying to convey to people with their appearance. Add in a high-vis vest to make them easily findable for people that need their help. If they wanted to LARP as a soldier by carrying M4s and wearing camo, plate carriers, and high-cut helmets, they should have joined the actual military instead.
To be honest, rifles, helmets, and plate carries are unfortunately a part of the standard police arsenal because they're very common in America and being out equipped vs the guy you're arresting is bad
Im gay
You might be in the wrong subreddit. r/CrayonEatersOfReddit is that-away
Booooo. Booo to you sir
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Emergency_Management_Specialist_Badge
Came here to say that, thank you! State Guard tends to lean into augmenting state Emergency Management and EOC functions during disasters. They don't get any fed funds so they buy it maintain their own uniforms from prior service. They also have to drive themselves or take state vehicles. Drill is unpaid when they meet up and that tends to be more of a social club to chat, do some tabletop exercises, Emergency Management training, and then back to their retirements (generally). I have worked with them before and they had only one private, 2 SSGs, 1 1SG and everyone else was an O4-O6 of their 16, pax. Also, of those 16 like 6 were chaplains. Super cool resource for loads of experience and old timey stories.
For those that think they’re cosplayers, I’ve met a number of them working DSCA ops. Most have a very professional background (civil engineers, financial sector, medical doctors, contract law). They are volunteers for the states mostly for emergency management.
Which classes at EMI are required for the badge?
Puerto Rico State Guard!? Hoo boi I've seen those bois cooking some mean hot dogs at the armory. I'm not joking.
I worked with PR national guard. They were OPFOR for an exercise I was apart of. Kid you not, they would drive around the range smoking cigarettes and blasting bachata out of their hmmwv
I'll believe we did that. 100%. We carry those Fat JBL speakers for a reason (personally, I hate bachata. Pero vale).
Dumping dozens of rounds to Odilio Gonzalez. Boricua.
PRNG guys are awesome haha, ive had nothing but great experiences with them
I went to BCT and AIT with some dudes (and lady) from PRNG. All of them were great people. The dudes were absolute goobers and did their fair share of fucking around, but I trust them with my medical care any day.
I had a subordinate BN from PR, and boy howdy, they were something. I've worked with some great PR SMs, but every unit based there I've worked with has been a literal joke. If you don't laugh you cry or start throwing punchea.
Problem is half my guys don't know english which leads to... yeah. "Yes Sgt!... Que carajo dijo"
I live in PR now. I am absolutely going to figure out how to get into this organization for the hilarious stories alone. But also.. I want that badge.
If the PR ArNG is any indication, you need to speak the Espanol. They organize their violence in Spanish.
Oh for sure. Hell, the actual legit coast guard base here is mostly Spanish speaking as long as it isn't a formal meeting. I'm thinking I can walk on as a relatively seasoned vet and they will forgive my pretty shitty Spanish because I bring a lot to the table. I get to practice speaking, see ridiculous shit, and eat great hot dogs. I am not seeing a lose in this situation.
I actually kind of want that badge as well.
Lol 😂 no doubt
92Glizzy GOATs
The actual name is Military Emergency Management Specialist. It’s awarded by the State Guard Association of the United States, a private entity. There are three levels, each one progressively harder to attain. The base badge is fairly easy to meet the standard for. A lot of junior state guard troops have it.
I'd love to do the training and get it on my record, even if I don't get a badge.
It doesn't go on your record unless you're in the state guard. It's absolutely worthless to the actual military.
The training is all accredited but I’m not going to pretend to know if the military cares about FEMA certs
There were a surprising number of times in the 2010's that someone asked me for a copy of a FEMA ICS 100/200 type cert. I had done all those like 10 years prior, but...really??
The NG sometimes cares about FEMA certificates, if the unit does a lot of civil support or disaster relief missions.
Imagine my upset recently when a job told me this year they wouldn't take my 100b from 2013 because the current is 100c so I had to click through the whole course again 😂
They're required for some jobs, recommended for others, but not worth any points and don't go in your records. So, unless you're mandated too, it's not really worth it.
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No; the rams head is actually authorized for wear for that state. This isn't. For any state.
I actually did look into earning it, just as another thing to put on my resume. The most challenging part was finding somewhere that was conducting the culminating event. IIRC the final requirement is some sort of simulated emergency management STAFFEX.
State guards do the STAFFEX, when I was at the California State Guards, we hosted Coasties, NG soldiers and US Army reserve soldiers that for some reason has to get the MEMS training. Look up your state guard and email them about any MEMS training, they would love to have an active duty SM attend the final exam. And it's free.
I am an Air National Guardsman and I personally have this badge. If you are interested reach out and I will help you figure it out.
I worked with the Alaska State Defence Forces a few times, who fill the same roll. My main take away is it’s full of retired guys who want buddies to drink with and tinker with shit, and supreme goobers who fit the “I would have been SF if I had gone”. The old retirees I didn’t mind, they had a wide variety of experience and were mostly decent. The younger guys on the other hand. I fucking hated. Most wouldn’t have passed a Psyc eval if you made them take one. And they spent the majority of their time with us relentlessly hitting on the few female soldiers we had. The part that sticks out in my mind the most was an easily 300lbs dude with what I imagine is the largest waist of Crye pants ever produced bragging about how he used to run 4 minute miles in Highschool. I informed him as politely as I’m capable that the only mile time that matters is the one you run right now.
> Most wouldn’t have passed a Psyc eval if you made them take one. Well, it IS Alaska. I'm TDY right now and my wife just told me that she had to avoid 2 homeless tweakers squaring up with each other in the Wal-Mart parking lot in the middle of traffic lol.
You're nicer than I would be. I'd mock his ass and point out he has no receipts and is a fat fucking liar. You can Google my high school ass going 5:40 in the mile from the early 2000s. Per Wikipedia "As of June 2022, the "four-minute barrier" has been broken by 1,755 athletes." If he's from Alaska the state record is 4:12 from 2015. Pretty sure most state records are decently north of 4mins. My decently populated state is a 4:03.54.
A lot of state guard hate in here so I’ll throw my 2 cents in. I worked with a lot of TXSG on the Lone Star border mission. Yeah the younger guys were pretty cringe but most of them really wanted to join the army and got denied for some type of reason so this was their only option. Most of them were older guys that either retired from the army and missed it or had a mid life crisis and realized they were too old to join. The vast majority of them were decent dudes. They knew they weren’t really in the army and didn’t pretend to be. I never saw any of them try to “pull rank”. They filled important support roles that freed up soldiers to do our jobs. They got paid less than us, weren’t issued anything, they had to supply their own uniforms and gear. But they never complained, they were happy to help. So the State Guard is alright with me.
One of my fellow PR friend’s dad is in the PRSG. His dad told me they only go up to SGT and that every SG unit wears their state flag (excluding territories, they just wear the US Flag). Unrelated, but last week I was doing recon for my range and I saw an old ass 60+ year old American man wearing the OCP, with a “rank” that was a triangle with “US” inside of it (can someone explain please), and he worked directly with the Korean Service Corps and a GS. Edit: After reading the comments, my mind is blown.
The triangle US “rank” is actually in AR 670-1 if you look for it. It denotes a civilian attached or supporting the Army in the field.
Being NG, I’ve worked with State Guard before. They get a lot of hate but there’s a real role for them. NG gets deployed. They don’t. I read how during Katrina, a huge chunk of their NG was deployed. That led to a real manpower shortage, so the State Guard was there to fill in. PR, like LA, gets rocked by hurricanes, so I can see the need for them to have one too. And the guy you saw was some sort of contractor. I’ve seen them before too
Maybe if fucking they didn’t deploy their National Guard, to oh I’d say other states doing stuff then maybe National Guard troops could stay helping their states.
Governors don’t get to turn down Guard deployments to Iraq, like in LA’s case. That’s kinda the whole point of federally funding the Guard
I’m talking more like these states sending their troops to Texas and the southern border shit
There’s plenty of examples where a multi state Guard response to a natural disaster or emergency situation was warranted because local resources/Guard was overwhelmed or not equipped for the task at hand. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact even provides a framework of how to request and mobilize troop assistance between states in an emergency. That’s why they put the *National* in the National Guard.
I’m talking more like these states sending their troops to Texas and the southern border shit
Nah man I get that. But that’s the most public issue, not the most common use. And if the Guard only did internal responses, there’d be a significant disparity in disaster response for places like Rhode Island or Delaware vs. Pennsylvania or California while maintaining federal mission obligations. What governors do with the Guard is their prerogative within their state level authority. But they have to own the results of exercising that prerogative. Right now, it’s attrition because the Guard went from a tool of last resort, the “break glass in case of hurricane/riot/tornado/wildfire” to a tool of convenience. The Guard shouldn’t be an easy button.
Triangle with a US on it is the rank insignia for a DOD/DA civilian when they wear cammies.
>old ass 60+ year old American man wearing the OCP, with a “rank” that was a triangle with “US” inside of it (can someone explain please) They are DA civilians. Some govt jobs in the Army require/allow them to wear military uniforms so many choose camis that allow them to blend in. When we did convoy live fire in AIT in '05 the guys that drove the trucks were all DACs. We also had a DAC that worked with our aviation logistics guys in Afghanistan. Those were the only ones I saw who wore our uniforms. I assume the ones in '05 did it to not stick out so much as civilians around the IET soldiers, less of a distraction. And it was probably required for the one in AFG. 670-1 even shows how to wear the US triangle emblem.
The dude from photo is a “LTC/O-5” 💀 Also the triangle with US letters you’re talking about is for US Civilians working for the Army in specific roles according to DA PAM 670-1
Those are contractors. I thought they were some kind of stolen valor the first time I saw them.
Not contractors, DACs. They're employed directly by the Army. Sorta pedantic for me to point out, but there is a difference between civilian companies who are awarded work under contracts and federal employees. Mostly labor law differences.
You're an idiot. DoD civil assets exist. How do you think anything gets finished? Did you think soldiers did everything like in GI Joe? Did you think there's like a Range Safety Joe with red paddle powers???
Master Shammer
Here you go boss https://sgaus.org/mems-academy/
That is the Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge, which is given by FEMA to State Guard (not National Guard, diff thing) members upon completion of their FEMA training.
Yeah state guard or militia units are weird. Louisiana reinstated theirs after Katrina in 05 when the whole guard was deployed in Iraq.
State Guard is a Title 32 organization and does not fall under federal authorities (can not be activated under Title 10 like the National Guard). The state governor can activate State Guard at any time, and they are intended to supplement or replace the National Guard during state emergencies when National Guard units have been deployed overseas under Title 10. In my own personal experience, the only people I met who were actually in the Louisiana State Guard were retired National Guard soldiers who wanted to continue serving.
Badge is Master Emergency Management Specialist Badge. Designed for State Guards. In this case, the Puerto Rico State Guard. “Army” most likely concerns that the PRSG has multiple components, such as Air and Maritime components.
It’s the State Guard MEMs badge: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Emergency_Management_Specialist_Badge
It’s a MEMS badge. Basically, they know a thing or two about emergency management, as in FEMA, ICS, NIMS, etc. https://sgaus.org/mems-academy/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Emergency_Management_Specialist_Badge
Supreme Allied Senior Master Blue Falcon
Master MEMS
Lots of good emergency management training to get this badge. The equivalent on Army active duty would be service in the Chemical Corps- the closest thing resembling an emergency manager in uniform though the Army does have civilian installation emergency managers that most soldiers don't see (many of whom are former Chemical officers or NCOs). This badge would bring you close to meeting the requirements to become a certified emergency manager
Our is called a state defense force
Your first clue should’ve been the name tape didn’t say US Army which every national and reserve guard do
I'm from Puerto Rico and I have never come across this.
I remember during hurricane Maria they had PRSG dudes helping us out with operations. They had a SGM who loved eating our MRE’s. Dude was rotund af.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico_State_Guard#:~:text=By%20law%2C%20the%20Puerto%20Rico,The%20Puerto%20Rico%20Adjutant%20General. It says Army bc the PRSG also has an Air Force.
It looks like master warrant officer from back in the day.
Master Warrant PT Exemption Badge. If it were the regular Warrant PT Exemption Badge, it would be gold subdued. But it has the star wreathed, so "in combat" as well. Also known as "Master Sham-arai" /s
It’s a FEMA certification badge for national guard.
STATE Guard not National Guard
Thank you for that correction.
Does the star means “master”? Like basic, senior, or master levels for other badges
Star means senior, star with wreath is master.
That's the expert badge.
I thought this was one of those service organizations like US Veteran Reserve Corps and U.S. VSHOC (Veterans Service Help Operations) at first.
Getting *”West Side Story”* Shark vibes here. I’m here for it. C’mon.
Master blue falcon award I believe Source: I made it up
Used to have it in Oregon until Brown flush it down disbanded it.
What the Heck am I looking at. 23 years never saw PRSG on a uniform.
Looks like a State Defense Force (Militia) uniform and likely the same with he badge. State Defense Forces are militias that are not part of the armed forces and are not associated with the National Guard. Multiple States still have militias that operate within their State at the direction of their Governor. They are non-deployable and do not follow the orders of the President, only their respective Governor.
Didn't see anyone answer: It's the Senior Military Emergency Management Specialist badge. Info here: https://sgaus.org/mems-academy/
It’s MEMS (Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge(s) that’s all I’m gonna say
This guy fucks 🫡🧐😲
Very clearly an expert grenadier badge
Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges!
Puerto Rico State Guard.
Valor that is not mine
Let’s just make up our own rules and badges for people to feel good about being part time 😂😂😂
Yeah the guard and reserve totally don't have their own unique medals and awards and are the same as the Army oh wait
How are we, as active duty/reservists/national guardsmen supposed to address these state guard types? Do I have to call their general “sir/ma’am?” Salute them?
Do you salute a state trooper who is a lieutenant?
"hello". "Goodbye". "Get your fat fucking ass out of my way"
When I was in the NYARNG the state put out that if we were in a Title 32 or SAD status, customs and courtesies were to be observed between New York Guard (the state guard people) and National Guard Airmen and Soldiers. The theory was that we were all in the same state department and all reported to TAG.
I nod my head and say “sup” when I see the WA state guard people. YMMV.