The Texas State Guard (State Defense Forces) continues to demonstrate that service to one’s community and state is not only a duty but a calling that shapes lives, strengthens families, and builds legacies. Among the core strengths of any State Defense Force is the unwavering support that comes from loved ones at home. While State Defense Force troops do not typically deploy overseas to conflict zones in the modern era—the last instance being in 2006 when the Maryland Defense Force’s 10th Medical Regiment joined the Maryland Air National Guard on a medical and humanitarian mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina—they are far from free of danger or hardship. When hurricanes strike the Gulf Coast, when wildfires roar across rural counties, when floods devastate communities, or when statewide emergencies arise without warning, these soldiers leave their families behind and step into conditions that test endurance, resilience, and their very lives. Some missions take days, some take weeks, many take months, and a few have required service members to be away from home for years. In every one of these moments, family support becomes a lifeline that keeps soldiers motivated, grounded, and committed to pressing forward.
One recent example from within the Texas State Guard highlights just how profound that support can be. Sergeant First Class David Hart experienced a career milestone that became something far greater than a promotion—it became a defining family moment. During a surprise ceremony in Plano, Texas, led by Captain Michael Missildine, Officer in Charge for Region 1 Recruit Training Unit (RTU), Sergeant First Class Hart found himself surrounded not only by fellow soldiers but by the people who shaped his journey: his daughter Morgan, close friends, and his family. At the center of it all stood retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Hugh Jopling, Hart’s grandfather and mentor, a man who served the nation for more than two decades. When Master Sergeant Jopling stepped forward to pin his grandson’s new rank, the moment became one of generational honor and deeply personal meaning. Watching his grandfather’s steady hands secure the stripes that he himself once wore filled Hart with pride, emotion, and a sense that this was more than a ceremony—it was legacy meeting purpose. Today, Sergeant First Class Class Hart serves as the Basic Instructor Course NCOIC and as the acting First Sergeant for Region 1 RTU, a role he carries with the same dedication that has defined his family’s service across generations.
This is not the first time this year we have shared a story that demonstrates how families are finding a true home within the State Defense Forces. In October, we featured a remarkable Texas State Guard family where a father, daughter, and son all serve together—strengthening their bond through a shared commitment to service. And in July, we highlighted an emotional moment when a son, currently serving as a U.S. Army Airborne Soldier in the storied 82nd Airborne “All American” Division, proudly pinned his father during a promotion ceremony. These stories continue to show that service in the State Defense Forces is more than duty—it is family, legacy, and connection.
The Texas State Guard, like all State Defense Forces, is also becoming a home for many patriotic Americans who once believed military service was beyond reach due to a variety of personal factors. According to discussions held by StateDefenseForce.com with military officers working inside the nation’s Military Entrance Processing Stations, well over 70% of applicants who walk through MEPS do not qualify for the U.S. Armed Forces. The reasons vary widely. Some face medical conditions, both minor and serious, that trigger disqualification during medical screening. Others struggle with ASVAB scores that prevent them from entering the specialty or career field they had hoped to pursue. For many, long-term family or job obligations make federal deployments around the globe impossible. These barriers often leave people discouraged, watching others take the oath while they stand on the sidelines wanting nothing more than to serve alongside them.
Yet thousands of Americans are now discovering that their desire to serve does not have to end at MEPS. State Defense Forces—such as the Texas State Guard—offer an honorable, structured, and meaningful path to military service that keeps troops close to home while enabling them to protect their state during its greatest times of need. They can serve in uniform, carry on family legacies, build new skills, and contribute to missions that save lives and restore communities after disaster. Sergeant First Class Hart is one shining example of how this path can shape a career, strengthen bonds, and give purpose to those who long to serve but were never given the chance within the federal military.
For anyone who has ever dreamed of wearing the uniform, standing with a unit, or serving the country but was prevented by circumstance, the opportunity still exists. The State Defense Forces welcome those who wish to stand in front of the flag rather than behind it, serving their community, their state, and their nation with honor. Here, service is defined not by where you deploy, but by the people you serve—and by the families who proudly stand behind every soldier who steps forward.
“Being promoted to SFC is an incredible milestone, but what made this day unforgettable was who shared it with me,” said newly promoted Sgt. 1st Class David Hart, surrounded by family, his daughter, Morgan, friends, and fellow soldiers during a surprise promotion ceremony led by Capt. Michael Missildine, Officer in Charge, Region 1 RTU, Texas State Guard, in Plano, Texas.
“Retired USMC Master Sergeant Hugh Jopling—my grandfather, mentor, and the man who served over two decades—pinned my rank. You don’t get that kind of full-circle moment often in life. Watching his steady hands secure those stripes brought both pride and tears—because this wasn’t just a ceremony. It was legacy meeting purpose!”
Sgt. 1st Class Hart serves as the Basic Instructor Course (BIC) NCOIC and is currently assigned as the acting First Sergeant for Region 1 RTU. Congratulations on a well-deserved promotion! (Photos by Staff Sgt. Rachel Johnson and Sgt. Maj. Ed Lack)
“Being promoted to SFC is an incredible milestone, but what made this day unforgettable was who shared it with me,” said newly promoted Sgt. 1st Class David Hart, surrounded by family, his daughter, Morgan, friends, and fellow soldiers during a surprise promotion ceremony led by Capt. Michael Missildine, Officer in Charge, Region 1 RTU, Texas State Guard, in Plano, Texas.
“Retired USMC Master Sergeant Hugh Jopling—my grandfather, mentor, and the man who served over two decades—pinned my rank. You don’t get that kind of full-circle moment often in life. Watching his steady hands secure those stripes brought both pride and tears—because this wasn’t just a ceremony. It was legacy meeting purpose!”
Sgt. 1st Class Hart serves as the Basic Instructor Course (BIC) NCOIC and is currently assigned as the acting First Sergeant for Region 1 RTU. Congratulations on a well-deserved promotion! (Photos by Staff Sgt. Rachel Johnson and Sgt. Maj. Ed Lack)
Source: Texas State Guard