Turning Point for State Guards Nationwide—Training Drill Compensation and Veteran Recognition Become Reality

The South Carolina State Guard (State Defense Force – SCSG) and the New York Guard (State Defense Force – NYG) have made extraordinary strides during the past year, marking a new era of recognition and respect for State Defense Forces nationwide. If you’re a member of our Patreon (Corporal Tier or above), you’ve already heard of the major benefits and legislative victories both forces achieved during their recent legislative sessions. These advances not only reward their troops’ dedication but also set a national precedent for other State Guards to follow.

Join Our Patreon Program To Get Access To Legislative Updates

Under the exceptional leadership of Major General (SC) Leon Lott, the South Carolina State Guard has undergone unprecedented growth and expansion. Within a remarkably short time, the organization has evolved into one of the most capable and mission-diverse State Defense Forces in the country. Among their new missions is augmenting state and local law enforcement agencies through the Provost Marshal Unit, whose members complete the same firearms training and certification as sworn officers. The Guard also assists the South Carolina Department of Corrections by providing exterior security, addressing a critical staffing shortage. In addition to these responsibilities, they have expanded their engineering missions and advanced into the ever-growing domain of cyber defense—an area of increasing importance for state security. These initiatives showcase how rapidly a State Guard can grow when backed by strong leadership.

During the last legislative session, South Carolina lawmakers passed and the Governor signed House Bill 4025, which would ‘compensate State Guard personnel at a rate of $150 per day during State Guard training.’. This marks a historic leap forward for the South Carolina State Guard, transforming it from an all-volunteer organization into a paid military force ready to respond to natural disasters and state emergencies. The State Guard & Defense Force Council commends Major General Lott and South Carolina’s legislature for recognizing the invaluable service of these troops and ensuring they are compensated for their dedication.

Click Here To Read and Learn More About The Legislation

Meanwhile in New York, even with a limited social media presence since 2024, the New York Guard has quietly made remarkable progress. Reports indicate the Guard has begun supporting the New York State Department of Corrections in response to staffing shortages, following South Carolina’s example. They continue to play vital roles in statewide missions such as Joint Task Force Asylum Relief Support. Legislatively, the New York Guard achieved two groundbreaking victories: first, soldiers will now be paid for weekend drills, annual training, and State Active Duty missions, mirroring the South Carolina reform; and second, Assembly Bill 3005 established that anyone who serves or has served in the New York Guard is officially recognized as a veteran under New York State law.

Click Here To Read The Legislation

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of this section, the term “veteran” shall mean a person who has served in the armed forces of the United States or the reserves thereof, or in the army national guard, air national guard, New York guard, or the New York naval militia, and who (1) has been honorably discharged or released from such service under honorable conditions, or (2) has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans’ services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or (3) is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans’ services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service. The term “armed forces” shall mean the army, navy, air force, marine corps, and coast guard.”

We want to remind members of the New York Guard that, based on our interpretation of this legislation, the new veteran designation applies specifically under New York State law and not under the Federal Government’s definition of a veteran. This means that when completing applications for state, city, or other employment opportunities within New York, you may rightfully identify yourself as a veteran. However, this designation does not extend to federal programs or documentation. We will be publishing a detailed article soon to clarify the distinctions between state and federal veteran status.

The State Guard & Defense Force Council’s legislative branch, operating under StateDefenseForce.com, intends to introduce similar bills in other states. State Guard troops devote countless hours away from their families and careers, serving under hazardous conditions during disasters and emergencies. Their contributions embody the spirit of military service and deserve equal recognition and respect. By pursuing legislation that mirrors South Carolina’s compensation policy and New York’s veteran recognition, we aim to ensure every State Defense Force soldier nationwide receives the honor and benefits their service warrants.

We congratulate Brigadier General (NY) Peter Riley and Major General (SC) Leon Lott for their visionary leadership in elevating their respective organizations. Their efforts have transformed the New York Guard and South Carolina State Guard into premier examples of modern, capable, and respected State Defense Forces—standing shoulder to shoulder with their National Guard counterparts in serving their communities, states, and the nation.

*Our Legislative section is only available to our Patreon members – Corporal $5 Tier and above. We provide this to them as a thank you for keeping StateDefenseForce.com online and running. Through their funding we can pay our staff to find, track, evaluate and publish these critical pieces of legislation as well as fund our new lobbying program that furthers the State Defense Force cause nationwide.

Special Thank you to Our Patreon Members For Allowing Us To Run a Legislative Section:

Thank You To Our Patreon Members