Scuttlebutt Episode 11 – A Nationwide Look at State Defense Force Uniforms

Episode 11 of Scuttlebutt marks a significant transition for the podcast as Major General (TX – Retired) Anthony Woods joins as the new co-host, bringing his experience as a US Army combat veteran and former Commanding General of the Texas State Guard to the discussion. In this episode, Major General Woods and Major (GA – Retired) Beverly Shepard examine the evolving landscape of State Defense Force uniforms across the nation, including recent guidance and proposed changes influenced by the National Guard Bureau. The discussion explores the National Guard Bureau insistence that there is confusion between National Guard and State Defense Force soldier identification and their new recommended policy to better way to separate these forces, debates over items such as baseball caps versus patrol covers, and the broader question of whether a standardized uniform approach should exist nationwide. They also reflect on the importance of pride in the uniform, the historical evolution of State Defense Force attire, and how uniform decisions can impact recruitment, identity, and operational perception both within and outside of Texas.

The episode further addresses the need for strong advocacy and effective representation of State Defense Forces at the federal level, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and public understanding to strengthen the utilization and recognition of these organizations. Major General Woods shares insights from his decades of service, offering candid perspectives on current controversies, policy direction, and the future role of State Defense Forces as a vital resource for state missions.

A special thank you is extended to our Patreon members for their continued support, especially Dustin Colegrove, Colonel C. McAdams, Sr., Colonel Philip Smith, Dan Sebby, and all the rest of our Patreon community who help make podcasts like this possible.

The Scuttlebutt Podcast are 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. Thanks to their generous support, we’re able to cover essential expenses such as website hosting, domain fees, and compensating our podcast hosts and authors who create in-depth historical features. Their funding also helps power our new lobbying initiative, which plays a critical role in advancing the State Defense Force mission across the nation.

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About Scuttlebutt:

Scuttlebutt is hosted by Major Beverly Shepard (GA – Retired), one of the most accomplished Public Affairs Officers in the State Defense Force community. As the architect of the Georgia State Defense Force’s Public Affairs Department, she transformed it into a premier operation that now rivals full-time active military public affairs teams. Her exceptional leadership and communication skills have significantly elevated the public image of the Georgia State Defense Force, directly contributing to increased recruitment and awareness. With her extensive knowledge and experience, Major Shepard brings valuable perspective and professionalism to every episode, and we are honored to have her as a core member of the Scuttlebutt team.

Joining Major Shepard is co-host Major General (TX – Retired) Anthony Woods. Major General Anthony Woods is a highly experienced military leader whose career spans more than three decades of service in both the U.S. Army and Texas State Guard. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant through ROTC in 1984 and has held key leadership positions throughout his career, including Battalion Executive Officer and Commander of the 1st Battalion, 112th Armor Regiment. Early in his career, he served during Operation Noble Eagle, the post-9/11 homeland security mission mobilizing forces to protect U.S. infrastructure. He also served as Deputy Commander for Operation Jump Start, supporting border security efforts along the Southwest United States. Woods later deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he commanded the Security Forces Assistance Task Force (SFAT), mentoring and overseeing brigade and Kandak staff in combat environments.

In addition to his combat and operational experience, Woods has led major interagency initiatives like the Joint Interagency Task Force in Texas, designed to support civil authorities during disasters. As Commanding General of the Texas State Guard, he oversaw significant force growth and capability improvements, expanding readiness for a wide range of missions including disaster response, search and rescue, and border support operations. His awards reflect extensive service in both combat and operational roles, including the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit.

Thank you to our Patreon Members who make this possible:

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