Earlier this year, we shared a news item discussing the recent uniform changes within the California State Guard. These changes, designed and ordered by the Adjutant General and Commander of the California State Guard, aim to differentiate the State Guard from their National Guard counterparts.
This new uniform change is significant, as it radically alters the appearance of the California State Guard’s attire. One major alteration involves the nametapes. Previously, like US Army and US National Guard soldiers, the California State Guard wore camouflage nametapes. Now, their nametapes will transition from the OCP camouflage pattern to black with white lettering, making State Guard soldiers easily distinguishable from US Army and National Guard soldiers. This change is unprecedented among State Defense Forces, with only the New York Guard & South Carolina State Guard undergoing a similarly drastic transformation.
Another notable change is the replacement of the US Flag patch on the right shoulder of the uniform with the California State Flag. This modification aligns with the California State Guard’s role as a state military force under the Governor’s command, not the President of the United States. It is logical for soldiers to wear their state flag, emphasizing their primary service to the state.
Following a major organizational change announced a few months ago by the Commanding Officer, soldiers who previously wore the Navy Woodland pattern uniform, known as NWU Type III, will transition to the new California State Guard uniform.
The changes to the uniform policy will become effective from August 1, 2024, with all service members required to wear the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform by October 1, 2024. The policy applies to all State Guard soldiers, including those on State Active Duty (SAD). By September 1, 2024, service members will receive a black “CALIFORNIA” nametape, a CSG shoulder patch, and a California state flag patch, while members are responsible for purchasing their individual military nametape.
The uniform changes include specific patches and nametapes: a black background with silver lettering for nametapes on the uniform and patrol cap, and a new CSG “Star and Bear” patch on the left shoulder. Service members may also wear their affiliated California National Guard unit patch with approval. The California state flag will be displayed on the right shoulder. Federal Combat patches and qualification badges from prior military service are still permitted, provided they are documented in personnel files. The new uniform requirements will be incorporated into the upcoming version of the CSG Uniform Regulation.
This was not the only change within the California State Guard. In February, the entire organization underwent significant restructuring, resulting in the deactivation and dismantling of several missions and units. The California State Guard deactivated multiple units such as their Search & Rescue teams—a perplexing decision given the state’s annual wildfire threats. This move risks the safety of Californians when the next wildfire strikes. Another team, Team Shield, which worked alongside the National Guard in traffic control and security during wildfire response, was also deactivated.
The motivations behind these radical changes within the California State Guard over the past year remain unclear. The California State Military did appoint a new Adjutant General (Senior National Guard General),Major General Matthew P. Beevers, and a new commander for the California State Guard, Colonel (CA) Darrin Bender. A source from the California State Military suggest that the new Adjutant General may not value State Guards, which could explain the drastic uniform and organizational changes implemented.
Documentation:
Source: California State Guard
