n February and March 2025, the 1st Brigade of the Texas State Guard (State Defense Force) conducted a series of intensive medical training exercises designed to ensure every soldier is equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to medical emergencies. These missions focused on everything from triaging wounded patients in the field to proper assessment and safe evacuation to designated receiving points. On February 15, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, participated in a comprehensive training session at the National Guard Armory in Waxahachie, Texas. The training covered vital life-saving skills such as CPR, tourniquet application, neck brace usage, and patient transport using medical litters. The day concluded with a realistic outdoor field exercise simulating the extraction of an injured patient from a vehicle, showcasing the unit’s teamwork and emergency response capabilities. Later that month, on February 22, soldiers from A Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, honed their first aid and patient evacuation techniques in Dallas, Texas, under the instruction of Sgt. Jennifer Lee, reinforcing the brigade’s ability to assist Texans during crises.
The commitment to medical training in the Texas State Guard doesn’t stop at the 1st Brigade. The 3rd Brigade has also demonstrated its focus on medical readiness. In February, its medical personnel participated in the Texas State Guard First Medical Conference, held at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. The event, hosted by the Texas State Guard Surgeon, Col. MacClements, brought together medical teams from every brigade across the state. The conference emphasized professional development and advanced training to elevate the Guard’s medical response capabilities and strengthen unit-wide coordination during state emergencies. Troops also took part in casualty movement training—an essential skill that involves safely and efficiently transporting injured individuals from hazardous areas to treatment zones. This training ensures that Guardsmen are capable of performing lifesaving tasks under pressure, reinforcing the Guard’s mission to protect and serve during times of crisis.
This dedication to medical preparedness reflects the Texas State Guard’s broader mission of supporting civilian authorities during times of need. In particular, the training ensures that Guardsmen are ready to respond during large-scale natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, or winter storms. In these situations, immediate and effective medical assistance is often the difference between life and death. The ability of every soldier—not just medical personnel—to provide initial care, stabilize individuals, and facilitate rapid transport to hospitals or extraction zones is critical.
The Texas State Guard’s continued investment in medical training across its Brigades underscores its ongoing commitment to serving and protecting the people of Texas. Whether responding to a statewide emergency or supporting civil authorities during a disaster, the Guard remains a vital force, always prepared to meet the moment with competence, compassion, and professionalism.
Service members from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, Texas State Guard conduct lift and carry training using medical litters at the Waxahachie National Guard Armory on January 25, 2025. “Proper patient handling is critical, and soldiers practiced safe techniques to ensure injuries are not worsened during transport,” stated Ltc. James McCune, Commander of 1st Battalion. 1st Battalion is a medical team comprised of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, paramedics and others all ready to provide medical care for the community as requested by local or authorities in times of emergency. (Photos by Spc. Art Galias/UPAR)
Texas State Guard service members from A Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, practice first aid, patient assessment, and evacuation techniques during a medical training certification at the National Guard Armory in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 22, 2025. The training, taught by Sgt. Jennifer Lee, ensures they are prepared to assist Texans in emergencies. (Photos by 1Lt. Wayne Thompson and Cpl. John Duesing)
Texas State Guard service members from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade participate in a comprehensive training session, covering vital skills such as tourniquet application, neck brace usage, CPR, and medical litter techniques at the National Guard Armory in Waxahachie, Texas, February 15, 2025. The day culminates in a realistic outdoor mock field exercise, where they demonstrate their ability to respond to an injured patient inside a vehicle, showcasing their preparedness and teamwork in critical situations. (Photos by Spc. Art Galias/UPAR)
Medical personnel from the 3rd Brigade participated in the Texas State Guard First Medical Conference hosted by Surgeon, Col. MacClements and his staff at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas this past January. Medical personnel from every Brigade across the state participated in the training and professional development. The conference focused on developing skills and readiness to further strengthen the capabilities of the Texas State Guard medical team.
Source: Texas State Guard – Texas State Guard
