The men and women of the Texas State Guard (State Defense Force – TXSG) have been keeping their weekends busy, spending their recent monthly drills honing skills that could one day mean the difference between life and death for their fellow Texans. Both the 3rd Brigade and 6th Brigade devoted their summer training to high-stakes, emergency-focused exercises that underscore the Guard’s role as one of the fastest and most capable disaster response forces in the nation.
3rd Brigade: Stop the Bleed Training
In July, the 3rd Brigade conducted intensive Stop the Bleed training, focusing on emergency bleeding control techniques. These skills are vital to the Guard’s mission, as State Defense Forces like the TXSG are often deployed to an incident scene within a 1-2 hours—faster than their National Guard counterparts. Whether responding to floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes, this rapid mobilization allows State Defense Forces to stabilize critically injured citizens while additional resources are en route.
The training centered around three core bleeding control actions:
- Applying direct pressure with hands to a wound,
- Packing a wound to control hemorrhaging, and
- Properly applying a tourniquet.
Unlike traditional classroom lectures, Stop the Bleed emphasizes hands-on practice under the supervision of instructors, who coach participants until they demonstrate proficiency in each skill. This mirrors the national program’s mission, which has already trained over 5 million people across the United States.
What made the TXSG’s training especially impactful was the presence of Texas State Guard medical professionals—including doctors, nurses, and paramedics—who guided and assisted their fellow service members. Their expertise ensured that the training was not only realistic but also directly tied to the Guard’s operational standards in the field.
With the TXSG already fielding one of the best Search & Rescue teams in the country, pairing that capability with immediate life-saving medical skills gives Texas a crucial edge in disaster response. In the aftermath of severe weather, when every second counts, having Guardsmen who can find the injured and stop life-threatening bleeding could mean the survival of countless Texans.
6th Brigade: Water Survival Training
Meanwhile, the 3rd Battalion of the 6th Brigade tested their mettle in a demanding water survival exercise in Austin, Texas. Service members were required to enter the water in full uniform, and demonstrate safe self-recovery techniques in deep water.
This training was designed to simulate real-world emergencies—such as an accidental fall into floodwaters during a rescue mission—and ensure that soldiers could remain calm, execute survival techniques, and return to safety. The event reinforced not only water safety but also the Guard’s broader readiness to operate in Texas’ most common disaster environments.
Given Texas’ frequent battles with hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe flooding, such training is more than theoretical—it is essential. Every year, thousands of Texans face the risk of becoming stranded in rising waters. By mastering water survival, TXSG soldiers prepare themselves to rescue others without becoming victims themselves.
The TXSG’s Maritime Search & Rescue Team, recognized as one of the nation’s best, has already proven the value of such readiness. Their primary mission is to locate and evacuate stranded citizens during hazardous weather or flooding, often under dangerous and rapidly changing conditions. With water survival training now embedded at the brigade level, more Guardsmen across the state will be prepared to support that lifesaving mission.
The drills for both the 3rd and 6th Brigades highlight how the Texas State Guard is building a force ready to respond swiftly and effectively to the emergencies that Texans face each year. From advanced medical care in disaster zones to survival and rescue skills in floodwaters, these soldiers are sharpening the exact abilities that make them indispensable to the state’s emergency response network.
The TXSG continues to embody its motto—“Texans Serving Texas”—with training that saves lives and strengthens the Guard’s ability to protect communities when disaster strikes.
July’s Stop the Bleed Training
3rd Battalion Conducts Survival Water Test
Recently service members of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, Texas State Guard, participated in a survival water test to evaluate their ability to self-rescue in the event of an accidental fall into deep water.
The test required service members to enter the water in full uniform, without goggles or face mask, and demonstrate safe recovery techniques.
The event reinforces water safety and mission readiness during emergency response deployments.
(Photos by Sgt. McCready, 6 Brigade Deputy Public Affairs Officer)
Sources: Texas State Guard 3rd Brigade – Texas State Guard 6th Brigade
