The Ohio State Defense Force (OSDF) stands as a unique organization among the nation’s military reserves. Comprised of three distinct branches—the Ohio Military Reserve, the Ohio Naval Militia, and the Ohio Cyber Reserve—the OSDF provides the state with versatile capabilities to respond to emergencies, support the National Guard, and serve local communities.
This August, members of the OSDF joined forces with the Ohio National Guard and multiple state and local agencies for GuardCare Weekend 2025, held on August 9–10 at the Trillium Event Center in Bucyrus, Ohio.
GuardCare, created in 1995, is an annual program that rotates across different locations in Ohio, offering no-cost healthcare services to residents. The 2025 event, co-hosted by the Ohio Department of Health, Crawford County Public Health, and other partners, provided Ohioans with access to a wide variety of critical health services. These included:
- Behavioral health counseling
- Blood lab work and blood lead screenings
- Dental exams and treatments
- Immunizations for all ages
- Vision exams with prescriptions
- Mammograms and physicals, including sports physicals
- Car seats, safety checks, and bicycle helmets for children
- Financial coaching and community health resources
Additionally, a resource fair connected attendees to state and local support programs such as Medicaid, the Ohio Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC), Job & Family Services, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The OOD mobile services unit also provided on-site support for individuals with disabilities, including an American Sign Language interpreter for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Ohio Adjutant General Brigadier General Matthew Woodruff praised the effort, stating, “GuardCare allows the Ohio National Guard to provide free healthcare to Bucyrus and the surrounding communities while providing our members with needed medical training. This event helps ensure that we continue to meet our mission to be Always Ready, Always There.”
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff echoed that sentiment: “GuardCare is a wonderful program that brings a wide variety of critical health services to Ohioans who may not otherwise receive them, and we are proud to be a partner in such an important effort.”
Throughout the weekend, GuardCare was not only about patient care but also about strengthening ties between Ohio’s military and civilian communities. Brigadier General Matthew Woodruff and Major General David B. Johnson, Ohio’s Assistant Adjutant General, both met with Ohio National Guard, Air National Guard, and Ohio State Defense Force personnel during the event. They personally thanked the troops for their service and dedication to the mission, underscoring the value of these joint task force efforts.
Operations such as GuardCare are indispensable to Ohioans. By providing free, no-cost healthcare services, GuardCare ensures that those unable to afford medical care have a place to turn. Beyond healthcare, the mission strengthens the relationship between Ohio’s citizens and the service members sworn to protect them. For Ohioans, knowing that their state’s troops not only defend them in emergencies but also step forward in times of need to provide compassionate care builds trust and reassurance.
Joint missions like GuardCare also enhance camaraderie among the different branches of Ohio’s military: the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and the Ohio State Defense Force. By training and serving together, these units sharpen interoperability, learn each other’s capabilities, and improve their ability to respond seamlessly to future emergencies.
The Ohio State Defense Force’s participation in GuardCare mirrors similar community outreach missions across the country. Other State Defense Forces, such as the Texas State Guard with its Operation Border Health Preparedness, deploy their doctors, nurses, EMTs, dentists, counselors, and paramedics to underserved areas to provide free medical services. These efforts showcase the vital role State Defense Forces play in bridging the gap between military readiness and community resilience.
The Ohio National Guard and the Ohio State Defense Force partnered with the Ohio Department of Health, Crawford County Public Health, Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities and other local community partners to provide healthcare services to Ohio citizens during GuardCare Weekend at the Trillium Event Center in Bucyrus, Ohio, Aug. 7-8, 2025. The annual event provides no-cost health services to Ohioans; including behavioral health services, blood lab work, dental treatment, immunizations, vision exams, and more.
2nd Lt. Lydia Morton, 371st Sustainment Brigade Unit Public Affairs Representative
Sources: Ohio National Guard – Ohio Department Of Health – WTOL Channel 11 – Ohio National Guard – Ohio – National Guard
