Poll – What Mission Should the State Defense Forces Phase Out?

Since the initial formation of the State Defense Forces in 1917 they had been tasked with many missions over the century. From guarding the coastline to protecting vital state infrastructure like Dams & Power plants during World War I and World War II. During peacetime the State Defense Forces missions revolve around augmenting the National Guard and Civil Authorities, these missions involve assisting in

• Medical
  • State Defense Forces have medical units that assist and augment National Guard forces.
• Engineering
  • State Defense Forces help maintain and repair National Guard bases and armories throughout the state.
• Administrative
  • State Defense Force troops assist the National Guard in Emergency Operations Centers during Statewide emergencies.
• Logistical
  • State Defense Force troops have routinely been assigned by the National Guard logistical and supply missions during statewide emergencies. They assist in the collection, distribution, and storage of vital food, water, supply and resources that are to be sent to key locations throughout the state.
• Emergency Communications
  • Many State Defense Forces have been tasked by the National Guard to have a backup communications system ready to deploy in case a natural disaster or state emergency disables the telephone / internet systems.
• JAG (Legal)
  • Many State Defense Forces have lawyers in their ranks that support and assist the National Guard JAG offices.
• Wildland Firefighting
  • The California State Guard, Washington State Guard, & Texas State Guard have been working alongside their National Guard & Fire Departments to fight wildfires.
• Cyber Security Defense
  • Many State Defense Forces are now augmenting National Guard teams to defend Statewide Cyber infrastructure from attacks from overseas hackers and groups.
• Military Police
  • Some State Defense Forces still retain Military Police units leftover from World War 2, to assist in Riot Control.
• Search & Rescue
  • The State Defense Forces assist Local & State Authorities with woodland and maritime Search & Rescue missions. These missions involve locating & rescuing individuals lost in the mountains, as well as during severe weather & flood emergencies.
• Mobilization & De-Mobilization Assistance to National Guard
  • The State Defense Forces assist the National Guard when they mobilize for deployment overseas. They assist in administrative, medical and legal aspects.
• Point of Distribution (POD)
  • The last few years State Defense Forces (SDF) have been assigned a new mission by the National Guard, to setup a Point of Distribution system. In the case of a state emergency or natural disaster, SDF Troops are to setup a vehicle Point of Delivery system in which water, food and supplies can be distributed to large groups of the population.

Which mission do you feel should the State Defense Forces move away from?

• Medical Missions
• Engineering Missions
• Administrative Missions
• Logistical Missions
• Emergency Communications Missions
• JAG (Legal) Missions
• Wildland Firefighting Missions
• Cyber Security Defense Missions
• Military Police Missions
• Search & Rescue Missions
• Mobilization & De-Mobilization Assistance to National Guard
• Point of Distribution (POD) Missions

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