In this episode of Commanders Briefing, we continue our conversation with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, diving into some of the most pressing topics concerning State Defense Forces (SDFs) and their evolving role in national security and emergency response.
We begin by discussing the possibility of State Defense Forces gaining access to federal equipment and vehicles, a subject that has been long debated among policymakers and military leaders. Lt. Col. Greene provides insights into what steps are being taken to make this a reality and how it could impact the emergency response capabilities of SDFs nationwide.
Next, we explore new draft legislation for State Defense Forces that is set to be included in the upcoming federal legislative calendar. This proposed legislation aims to enhance the legal standing, operational support, and mission capabilities of SDFs across the country.
Another key segment of this interview focuses on The Florida State Guard and whether SGAUS recognizes it as an official State Defense Force. Lt. Col. Greene then sheds light on SGAUS’s collaboration with Florida in shaping the Florida State Guard. Lastly in this segment we discuss The Florida State Military Rules & Regulations and why The Florida State Guard is not held to those standards—which the National Guard adheres to— it has raised concerns about oversight, security, structure, and long-term effectiveness.
In this segment Lt. Colonel Barry Greene mentioned that other State Defense Forces are also not held to The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which is not not accurate as State Defense Forces / State Guards nationwide ARE held to the State’s equivalent of The UCMJ. This State equivalent of The UCMJ applies to The States Army & Air National Guard when they are activated for training and active duty missions. The Florida State Guard is the only State Defense Force not held to such standards which is the reason StateDefenseForce.com has not endorsed applicants joining The Florida State Guard.
The conversation then shifts to SDFs deploying overseas, a topic gaining traction after The Maryland Defense Force supported the Maryland Air National Guard on a humanitarian and medical mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We analyze whether this precedent could lead to more State Defense Forces taking part in international deployments augmenting National Guard units that maybe understrength or in need of volunteers with specific mission skill sets ie. Medical, Logistics, etc.
Lt. Col. Greene also outlines additional emergency response roles SDFs could undertake beyond their current missions. He emphasizes how expanding the scope of SDF responsibilities could significantly enhance state and national emergency preparedness.
Finally, we close the episode with a deep dive into Cyber Security and the increasing role of State Defense Forces in augmenting National Guard cyber defense operations. As cyber threats to critical infrastructure, government networks, and state agencies continue to grow, State Defense Forces are becoming vital assets in supporting National Guard cyber missions. Lt. Col. Greene highlights a new initiative by SGAUS, which will offer a Cyber Defense Course that is completely FREE to State Defense Force members. This program will not only certify participants on a Federal level as cybersecurity professionals but also provide college credits, helping Guardsmen build technical expertise while advancing their careers. He then emphasizes the importance of State Defense Forces that don’t have Cyber Defense units to start development of such forces and to add trained personnel to those units to help the National Guard & State combat those serious digital threats to our national security.
This episode delivers key insights into the future of State Defense Forces, federal legislation, and evolving mission sets—a must-listen for anyone invested in the continued growth and modernization of these forces.
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A little bit about Lt. Colonel Barry Greene:
With over 25 years of experience in information security, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Barry R. Greene, MDDF, has successfully brought more than 30 information security products and services to market and consulted with clients such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Air Force, and Sony Electronics.
LTC Greene holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Excelsior University and is a military graduate of Norwich University. He is a certified instructor for emergency response programs administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
In 2022, LTC Greene founded SGAUS’ Cyber Defense Academy, through which SDF soldiers are now acquiring cyber training that not only qualifies them for cyber missions but also gets them real jobs in the private sector. In 2024, LTC Greene was appointed president of the State Guard Association of the United States, and in 2025, he will unveil new SGAUS badge and training programs designed to equip soldiers with the latest in-demand SDF skills.
