Earlier this year, we at StateDefenseForce.com have noticed a promising trend: the Vermont State Guard’s (State Defense Force) expanding presence on social media throughout 2025. We would like to recognizing the exceptional strides this organization has made in improving its public visibility, outreach, and communication with both the public and its own members.
Among the recent news items shared by the Vermont State Guard was their support of Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s signing of Bill H.154, which officially designates November as “Vermont Month of the Veteran.” While the bill does not directly mention the Vermont State Guard, a uniformed member of the Guard was proudly present during the ceremonial signing, a clear demonstration of their alignment with Vermont’s broader military and veteran community. Governor Scott emphasized the bill’s purpose as a way to better understand the struggles many veterans face after transitioning to civilian life, and to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. “It will give us all a chance to understand the challenges and struggles our veterans face after returning home to civilian life, and most importantly, to say thank you to those who put others above themselves to further the cause of freedom,” he stated.
Beyond this moment of recognition, the Vermont State Guard has been actively enhancing its recruitment and public engagement strategy. This includes the release of new promotional videos outlining the roles they are looking to fill, along with clear information about enlistment requirements. Such transparent messaging is essential in today’s competitive recruitment environment and helps demystify the process for those interested in serving their state.
In March 2025, the Guard also held its first Commanders and Staff Briefing of the year, where unit leadership outlined training goals and mission priorities for the months ahead. The event also featured a round of promotions, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of several members—a celebratory and motivational moment shared directly with the public.
Their operational tempo has also remained steady. In one recent mission, Vermont State Guard personnel supported the Vermont Army National Guard during a change of command ceremony at Camp Johnson. Despite facing wind, rain, and freezing temperatures, Guard members successfully carried out traffic control and VIP escort duties, showcasing their reliability and commitment to joint force support.
We at StateDefenseForce.com would like to commend the Vermont State Guard for taking its Public Affairs operations to the next level. Their renewed efforts in consistent outreach, mission highlights, and recruitment promotion set a powerful example. We encourage other State Defense Forces who are less active in the social media space—especially those who have let their social media pages offline or limit their posts to just once or twice per year—to follow Vermont’s lead. A vibrant, transparent, and consistent public presence not only strengthens internal morale and recruitment but also reinforces the value and relevance of State Defense Forces in the eyes of the public.
To help further this mission across the nation, StateDefenseForce.com is currently developing a Public Affairs Policy that will recommend best practices for State Defense Force communication strategies. The goal is to increase exposure, improve recruitment, and enhance the public image of these essential state military organizations. We believe Vermont is showing what’s possible—and we hope others will rise to meet the same standard.
Our Public Affairs Policy will be published in a the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Tonight members of the Vermont State Guard held their first commanders and staff meeting of 2025, with that being said promotions were in order. Congratulations to all that got promoted!
Today, I signed H.154 to officially designate November as “Vermont Month of the Veteran,” which is another step toward recognizing those who may never seek it. It will give us all a chance to understand the challenges and struggles our veterans face after returning home to civilian life, and most importantly, to say thank you to those who put others above themselves to further the cause of freedom.
Source: Vermont State Guard – Governor Phil Scott
