State Defense Force.com

GSDF April ‘Heads UP!’

Administrator — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:49:42 +0000

The Georgia State Defense Force recently published their April 2012 edition of their newsletter ‘Heads Up!’. The issue features some interesting articles such as A Search & Rescue Mission, A Honor Guard Detail & a Radiological Transportation Exercise.

To read The Newsletter – Click Here

OHMR Winter Newsletter

Administrator — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:43:14 +0000

The Ohio Military Reserve recently published a new edition of their newsletter ‘Ohio’s Own’. The issue highlights The 2011 Annual Training mission goal of being a fully trained force. The mission focused on developing and maintaing a POD (Point of Distribution). The weeklong training exercise was evaluated under the watchful eyes of Ohio National Guard. At the end of the operation The Ohio Military Reserve proudly accomplished the mission.

To Read The Newsletter – Click Here

Maryland SDF Participates in Field Training Exercise

Administrator — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:34:39 +0000

The Maryland State Defense Force recently participated in a large Field Training Exercise. The exercise, which involved The US Army National Guard & Maryland State Defense Force, focused on processing and treating casualties from a large scale earthquake. A few news agencies covered the event. Please visit the following links for more information:

CBS Baltimore – Link

ABC 2 – Link

FOX 45 – Link

SDF News Update

Administrator — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:29:37 +0000

CONNECTICUT - Troop Rings in St. Patrick’s Day in Hartford – Link

CONNECTICUT - First Horse Launches Second Year of ‘Horses to Homecoming’ – Link

NEW YORK – NY Guard Remembers Comrade lost on RMS Titanic - Link

TEXAS - 4TH Air Wing, Sheppard Detachment swears in 14 New Airmen - Link

TEXAS - Texas State Guard Helps Sheppard AFB Prepare for Compliance Inspection - Link

TEXAS - Texas State Guard Wins Rifle Competition… Again! – Link

TEXAS - TXSG Flies High With Austin Kite Festival – Link

DOD Inspector General SDF Evaluation Report update

Administrator — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:57:59 +0000

The Department of Defense Inspector General Report is nearing completion. According to The Office of Inspector General Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Estimates Report, the State Defense Force evaluation report was due out in Q1 of 2012 (December 31 2011). This was a draft report, so the final version may take some extra time to be released. We are hoping to see the report released by Q3 2012.

The FY 2013 Budget Estmates Report states the following:

In a self-initiated assessment, a SPO Team is in the final stages of evaluating DoD’s
interaction with State Defense Forces (SDF). SDF are statutorily authorized military
forces to the states in addition to the National Guard (NG) as established in
“Maintenance of Other Troops,” section 109(c), Title 32, United States Code (USC).  These
forces, along with the NG, are the constitutionally authorized and recognized militia of
the several states.  The focus and scope of the assessment is limited to addressing
Congressional concerns and identifying impediments of effective DoD monitoring and
support to the SDF program.  The scope also includes identifying the relevance and
appropriateness of the SDF program in a post 9/11 domestic national security environment
and whether the SDF program has potential for service given domestic threats to national
security. A draft report is expected during the first quarter FY-2012.

This can be found on page 59 of The Report – Click Here To View Report

The Heritage Foundation pushes fore more SDF’s

Administrator — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:46:05 +0000

The Hertiage Foundation recently posted a article ‘Why More States Should Establish State Defense Forces’ on their website. The article focuses on why States should create and setup their own State’s Defense Forces. Crediting The State Defense Forces as a ‘a vital, low-cost force multiplier and home- land security resource’. The article talks about the current role and future of State Defense Forces.

To Read The Article – Click Here - PDF File

Proposed Law could civilianize Alabama SDF

Administrator — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:22:59 +0000

A new law is being proposed in Alabama – SB278. This law changes the mission of the Alabama State Defense Force. The law would direct that the role of The Alabama State Defense Force would be to augment The National Guard. The Alabama State Defense Force would now be able to provide a more direct more in Homeland Defense operations by being a force multiplier for The Alabama National Guard.

One interesting piece of information discovered in the text of the document is that The term – military – has been removed from The Alabama State Defense Force. The intent of this is not clear, so we at State Defense Force.com contacted Senator’s Allen and Williams.

Senator Williams responded with the following email:

The Alabama State Defense Force is still slated to be an augmentation to the Alabama National Guard. The word military was deleted due to the confusion it could generate. In AL our ASDF does not train with weapons, attend military schools, or other such fully military functions. But they certainly can be a viable asset to disaster relief, contingency operations, etc. So the switch of the word was to prevent the possibility of them being tasked in the future with missions beyond their available skill set.

We at State Defense Force.com believe that removal of the term military could only hinder the role of The Alabama State Defense Force.

If you wish to contact Senator Allen or Senator Williams yourself, please email them:

Email Senator Allen – Click Here - gerald.allen@alsenate.gov

Email Senator Williams – Click Here - philw.williams@alsenate.gov

New Staff Position

Administrator — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:45:17 +0000

We have included a new staff position on State Defense Force.com. We are looking for a few individuals who are interested in participating in a audio podcast concerning State Defense Forces. Head on over to our Help Support section for more information.

GSDF featured in George Guardsmen magazine

Administrator — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:54:12 +0000

The Georgia State Defense Force has been featured on the front cover of The ‘Georgia Guardsmen’, which is The Georgia National Guard monthly Magazine. Inside you will find a good article talking about the steps The Georgia State Defense Force took into become a large scale Search And Rescue capable force.

Click Here to Download The Article - PDF Format

Arizona State Guard Created!

Administrator — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:16:09 +0000

On January 30, 2012, Governor Jan Brewer signed a bill creating The Arizona State Guard. This bill will allow for the development of The Arizona State Guard. It adds another State Defense Force to help support, augment and assist The National Guard and Civilian authorities. Funding for The newly created force is already underway with 500,000 as a one time cost and 1.4 million budget thereafter. The mission of The Arizona State Guard will be to help The National Guard and Civilian authorities stabilize security along The Arizona and Mexico border, where gang violence and drug smuggling is occurring.

More information to come in the coming weeks.

SOURCES:
ABC 15.com – Link

AZ Central – Link