State Guard Association of the United States
Encyclopedia
The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) is a 501(c)(6) http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/UCC-Charter/DisplayEntity_b.aspx?EntityID=D03772597&EntityName=STATE+GUARD+ASSOCIATION+OF+THE+UNITED+STATES%2c+INC.+++++++++&TabNum=1 non-profit organization advocating for the advancement and support of regulated state military forces
, as established by state governments under the authority of 32 USC 109. The SGAUS encourages the establishment and advancement of regulated state forces through lobbying and affiliation with independent state associations. There were twenty-two independent SGAUS recognized state associations in 2008. State associations are separate entities (typically 501(c)(3) corporations) and are not components of the SGAUS 501(c)(6) corporation, SGAUS Foundation 501(c)(3) corporation, or state run 32 USC 109 forces. The SGAUS recognizes (when petitioned) lawful state-level associations with 25 or more members that are seeking to establish 32 USC 109 forces http://www.sgaus.org/states/state_chapters.html.
s to supply the majority of its troops. In 1903, the predecessor to the modern-day National Guard
was formed to augment the militia and Regular Army
with a federally controlled reserve force. In 1933, Congress finalized the split between the National Guard and the State Defense Forces by mandating that all federally-funded soldiers take a dual enlistment/commission and thus enter both the state National Guard (Title 32) and the National Guard of the United States (Title 10). This division forced states to maintain both a National Guard and a State Defense Force if they desired to have non-federal soldiers. During World War II
, much of the National Guard
was deployed on federal duty. Many states continued to maintain distinct state militias (some building on ones that never ceased to exist) to defend their own territories and shorelines. In the 1980s, many State Defense Forces began to be reformed and activated. As a result, the SGAUS was formed in 1985 as the State Defense Force Association of the United States. The name was later changed in 1993 to the State Guard Association of the United States, and in 1997 was incorporated in the State of Maryland as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization. As of 2008, the SGAUS had grown to members in thirty-three states and territories, and recognized twenty-two state associations.
's National Incident Management System
(NIMS
) and Incident Command System
(ICS). The MEMS program curriculum includes online Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) NIMS and ISC courses offered free of charge through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute
's (EMI) Independent Study Program. In addition to online FEMA courses, students are required to complete operational practicums that incorporate the learning objectives of the online FEMA courses.
The MEMS Academy curricula are based on the idea of developing areas of 'common knowledge' required at different levels of responsibility in emergency response and use accepted, validated courses available throughout the nation. The principle behind the several MEMS curricula is that individuals with Basic MEMS qualification will have operational understanding of the principles of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and recovery and have knowledge, skills and abilities needed to effectively work within a comprehensive emergency management operation. Those with Senior and Master level qualification will be able to lead and plan incident response efforts of increasing complexity.
Certification in the MEMS program consists of three levels: basic, senior, and master, with traditional military style badges awarded to students upon completion of each level. In addition to the badges, those students who participate in operational missions may be awarded a distinctive flash, which is worn behind the badge.
For a short time, there was a MEMS Command and Staff College operated by the SGAUS. Students who successfully completed this program were awarded the MEMS Command and Staff College Unit Citation.
cy for State Defense Force chaplains and chaplain assistants http://www.sgaus.org/training/chaplain_college.html.
and supports assorted mission assigned by the D.C. city government. http://www.dcdefenseforce.org/Mission.htm
State Defense Forces
State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...
, as established by state governments under the authority of 32 USC 109. The SGAUS encourages the establishment and advancement of regulated state forces through lobbying and affiliation with independent state associations. There were twenty-two independent SGAUS recognized state associations in 2008. State associations are separate entities (typically 501(c)(3) corporations) and are not components of the SGAUS 501(c)(6) corporation, SGAUS Foundation 501(c)(3) corporation, or state run 32 USC 109 forces. The SGAUS recognizes (when petitioned) lawful state-level associations with 25 or more members that are seeking to establish 32 USC 109 forces http://www.sgaus.org/states/state_chapters.html.
History of SDFs and SGAUS
From its founding until the early 1900s, the United States maintained only a minimal army and relied on state militiaMilitia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
s to supply the majority of its troops. In 1903, the predecessor to the modern-day National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
was formed to augment the militia and Regular Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
with a federally controlled reserve force. In 1933, Congress finalized the split between the National Guard and the State Defense Forces by mandating that all federally-funded soldiers take a dual enlistment/commission and thus enter both the state National Guard (Title 32) and the National Guard of the United States (Title 10). This division forced states to maintain both a National Guard and a State Defense Force if they desired to have non-federal soldiers. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, much of the National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
was deployed on federal duty. Many states continued to maintain distinct state militias (some building on ones that never ceased to exist) to defend their own territories and shorelines. In the 1980s, many State Defense Forces began to be reformed and activated. As a result, the SGAUS was formed in 1985 as the State Defense Force Association of the United States. The name was later changed in 1993 to the State Guard Association of the United States, and in 1997 was incorporated in the State of Maryland as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization. As of 2008, the SGAUS had grown to members in thirty-three states and territories, and recognized twenty-two state associations.
SGAUS Foundation, Inc.
In 2006, the SGAUS Board of Directors created the SGAUS Foundation as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to focus on education, public awareness and outreach programs that support the advancement and support of regulated state defense forces. A current list of SGAUS foundation Officers can be found on the SGAUS website's Leadership page http://www.sgaus.org/home/officers.html.Legislative efforts
The organization has supported several legislative efforts related to the establishment or support of state defense forces:- (In committee) HR 206 State Defense Force Improvement Act, 2009, 111th Congress
- (removed by committee) HR 5658 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act FY09, 2008, 110th Congress
- (dead) HR 826 State Defense Force Improvement Act, 2007, 110th Congress
- (dead) HR 3401 State Defense Force Improvement Act, 2005, 109th Congress
- (dead) HR 2797 State Defense Force Improvement Act, 2003, 108th Congress
State Defense Force References
- National Guard Bureau Regulation 10-4 "State Defense Forces, National Guard Bureau and State National Guard Interaction" 1987 http://www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil/pubs/10/ngr10_4.pdf
- U.S. Army War College Paper "State Defense Forces and Homeland Security"; Arthus Tulak, Robert Kraft, and Don Silbaugh, 2004.http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/parameters/03winter/tulak.pdf
- DoD Report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on Homeland Defense Force for Homeland Defense and Homeland Security Missions, November 2005 HR Report 108-491 http://www.vdf.virginia.gov/pdf/DoDReportonSDFNov.20051.pdf
- American LegionAmerican LegionThe American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
Magazine "A well-regulated militia" (State Defense Forces), 2008.http://www.legion.org/magazine/1533/well-regulated-militia
Training and certification programs
The SGAUS offers various certification programs for its members.Military Emergency Management Specialist program
The SGAUS Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) program was created in 1998. The program is structured around the Federal Emergency Management AgencyFederal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
's National Incident Management System
National Incident Management System
The National Incident Management System is emergency management doctrine used nationwide to coordinate emergency preparedness and incident management and response among the public and private sectors.NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all...
(NIMS
Nims
The Nims is a river in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, left tributary of the Prüm. Its total length is 59 km. The Nims originates in the Eifel hills, east of the town Prüm. It flows south through Schönecken, Seffern, and through the western quarters of Bitburg. The Nims joins the Prüm in Irrel....
) and Incident Command System
Incident Command System
The Incident Command System is "a systematic tool used for the command, control, and coordination of emergency response" according to the United States Federal Highway Administration...
(ICS). The MEMS program curriculum includes online Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA) NIMS and ISC courses offered free of charge through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute
Emergency Management Institute
The Emergency Management Institute of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency conducts courses for local and regional public agency emergency managers and interested members of the public, where the courses are intended to improve the level of national emergency responsiveness to all...
's (EMI) Independent Study Program. In addition to online FEMA courses, students are required to complete operational practicums that incorporate the learning objectives of the online FEMA courses.
The MEMS Academy curricula are based on the idea of developing areas of 'common knowledge' required at different levels of responsibility in emergency response and use accepted, validated courses available throughout the nation. The principle behind the several MEMS curricula is that individuals with Basic MEMS qualification will have operational understanding of the principles of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and recovery and have knowledge, skills and abilities needed to effectively work within a comprehensive emergency management operation. Those with Senior and Master level qualification will be able to lead and plan incident response efforts of increasing complexity.
Certification in the MEMS program consists of three levels: basic, senior, and master, with traditional military style badges awarded to students upon completion of each level. In addition to the badges, those students who participate in operational missions may be awarded a distinctive flash, which is worn behind the badge.
For a short time, there was a MEMS Command and Staff College operated by the SGAUS. Students who successfully completed this program were awarded the MEMS Command and Staff College Unit Citation.
Chaplain’s School and College
The SGAUS Chaplain School and College provides materials of study, discussion forums, and classroom training related to field of military chaplainMilitary chaplain
A military chaplain is a chaplain who ministers to soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and other members of the military. In many countries, chaplains also minister to the family members of military personnel, to civilian noncombatants working for military organizations and to civilians within the...
cy for State Defense Force chaplains and chaplain assistants http://www.sgaus.org/training/chaplain_college.html.
State Information
(list in progress02/04/11)| State | Wikipedia State Article | Link to force website | State Law | Active Associations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama State Defense Force Alabama State Defense Force The Alabama State Defense Force is a military entity authorized by the State Code of Alabama. The ASDF is the state’s authorized state defense force and assumes the state mission of the Alabama National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized... |
Alabama State Defense Force | §31-2-8 | Alabama State Defense Force Association, Inc. |
| Alaska | Alaska State Defense Force Alaska State Defense Force The Alaska State Defense Force is the State Defense Force of Alaska. It is one of 23 such forces in the U.S. states.The Alaska State Defense Force is the successor of the Alaska Territorial Guard founded during World War II... |
Alaska State Defense Force | §AS 26.05.100 | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List |
| California | California State Military Reserve California State Military Reserve The California State Military Reserve is the state defense force of California. The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency when the National Guard is deployed... |
California State Military Reserve | CAL. MVC. CODE § 550 | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List |
| Connecticut | Governor's Foot and Horse Guard Units | Connecticut State Militia Units | ||
| Georgia | Georgia State Defense Force Georgia State Defense Force The Georgia State Defense Force is a military unit of the Georgia Department of Defense, serving in support of the national and state constitutions under direction of the governor and the adjutant general of the U.S. state of Georgia... |
Georgia State Defense Force | O.C.G.A. § 38-2-51 | The Association of the Georgia State Defense Force, Inc |
| Indiana | Indiana Guard Reserve Indiana Guard Reserve The Indiana Guard Reserve, formerly the Liberty Guard and the Indiana Legion, is a militia force that serves as the State Defense Force of the State of Indiana. The Indiana Guard Reserve serves under the exclusive authority of the Governor of the State of Indiana through his executive agent for... |
Indiana Guard Reserve | § IC 10-16-8 | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List |
| Maryland | Maryland Defense Force Maryland Defense Force The Maryland Defense Force is the State Defense Force for the state of Maryland, United States. Its main mission is to provide medical, legal, and logistic support for the Maryland Army National Guard and the Maryland Air National Guard. The Maryland Defense Force falls under the command of the... |
Maryland State Defense Force | Maryland State Guard Association, Inc. | |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts State Defense Force Massachusetts State Defense Force The Massachusetts State Defense Force is one of the State Military Forces of Massachusetts. The guard reports directly to the State Adjutant General and is under the command of the Governor. The guard is headquartered at Milford, Massachusetts, in the same building as the National Guard... |
Massachusetts State Defense Force | MGL 33§10 | |
| Michigan | Michigan Volunteer Defense Force Michigan Volunteer Defense Force The Michigan Volunteer Defense Force is a military force, duly constituted as a state defense force and an element of Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The MI VDF was reorganized from the former Michigan Emergency Volunteers by Adjutant General Thomas Cutler in 2004 to fill a... |
Michigan Volunteer Defense Force | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List | |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Guard Mississippi State Guard The Mississippi State Guard is the constitutionally authorized State Defense Force of the State of Mississippi. Operating under the authority of the Mississippi Military Department it is on an equal constitutional basis with the Mississippi Army National Guard, and the Mississippi Air National... |
Mississippi State Guard | §33-5-51 | Mississippi State Guard Association, Inc. |
| New Jersey | None | New Jersey Naval Militia | New Jersey Naval Militia Foundation, Inc. | |
| New Mexico | New Mexico State Defense Force New Mexico State Defense Force The New Mexico State Guard is authorized by state law and the New Mexico constitution. The NM State Guard was formerly known as the NM State Defense Force. It is controlled by the New Mexico National Guard and has the governor of the state as its Commander-in-Chief.Procedures and training for the... |
New Mexico State Defense Force | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List | |
| New York | New York Guard New York Guard The New York Guard is the State Defense Force of New York State. As of June 2008, the New York Guard, a recognized command under the New York State's Military law, has line-item funding in the state budget.... |
New York Guard | Military Law-State of New York Article 2, Section 44 | New York Guard Association, Inc. |
| Ohio | Ohio Military Reserve Ohio Military Reserve The Ohio Military Reserve is a military force which supports the State of Ohio along with the Ohio Army National Guard and Ohio Air National Guard in times of natural disaster and state and national emergencies.... |
Ohio Military Reserve | Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5920 | Ohio Military Reserve Officers Association, Inc. www.ohmra.org |
| Oregon | Oregon State Defense Force | Oregon State Defense Force | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List | |
| Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico State Guard Puerto Rico State Guard The Puerto Rico State Guard is a voluntary professional military corps who offer support for security and medical services in Puerto Rico. The PRSG respond directly to the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, is commanded by a Brigadier general and is composed of main units in San Juan Metropolitan... |
Puerto Rico State Guard | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List | |
| South Carolina | South Carolina State Guard South Carolina State Guard The South Carolina State Guard is the State Defense Force of the U.S. state of South Carolina.The State Guard maintains its headquarters in Columbia, which is the state capitol, and brigade level commands are located in the cities of Columbia , Charleston , and Fountain Inn .-Status:The... |
South Carolina State Guard | South Carolina State Guard Foundation, Inc. | |
| Tennessee | Tennessee State Guard | Tennessee State Guard | Tennessee Chapter of the State Guard Association of the United States, Inc. | |
| Texas | Texas State Guard Texas State Guard The Texas State Guard is one of three branches of the military forces of Texas, reporting to the Adjutant General, and under the command of the Governor. The other branches of the State Military Forces of Texas are the Texas Army National Guard, and the Texas Air National Guard.-History:The Texas... |
Texas State Guard | §Title 4 Sec. C 431.001 | The Texas State Guard Non Profit Association, Inc. |
| Vermont | None | Vermont State Guard | No Association Record Found in State's Corporation List | |
| Virginia | Virginia State Defense Force Virginia State Defense Force The Virginia Defense Force is the official state defense force of Virginia, a component of Virginia's state military along with the Virginia National Guard, with a current enrollment of over 900 troops. The VDF is the descendant of the Virginia State Guard and is headquartered at the historic Old... |
Virginia State Defense Force | § 44-54.4 | Virginia State Guard Association, Inc. |
| Washington | Washington State Guard Washington State Guard The Washington State Guard is an all-volunteer State Defense Force for the U.S. state of Washington. It is the third element of the military forces in the Washington Military Department: the Washington Army National Guard, the Washington Air National Guard and State Guard... |
Washington State Guard | §RCW 38.14.006 | Washington State Guard Association |
Provisional, non-profit, and other volunteer groups
A limited number of groups have not achieved state recognition as 32 USC 109 forces and have lingered for years as “provisional” or "non-profit" groups. Past SGAUS recognition of these groups has generated dissent with some SGAUS members. These groups which are not recognized in their states as 32 USC 109 forces have modeled themselves after regulated state defense forces by assigning ranks, wearing uniforms and conducting training operations. Groups that identify themselves as “provisional” or "non-profit" included the Florida Defense Forces Association Inc., District of Columbia Defense Force Association, Inc., North Carolina State Guard Association, Inc., and the Colorado Defense Force (Provisional). While some groups have not achieve 32 USC 109 recognition, some have found other missions that support their communities. The District of Columbia Defense Force for example is a member of the U.S. Citizen CorpsCitizen Corps
Citizen Corps is a United States national service program under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security that seeks to mobilize the population of the country against threats to national security as well as to assist in the recovery after a disaster or terrorist attack...
and supports assorted mission assigned by the D.C. city government. http://www.dcdefenseforce.org/Mission.htm