Troops from the Washington State Guard (State Defense Force) held a First Aid & Emergency Preparedness Training Classed for the Boy Scouts Organization in Washington State. Great day of training with the Boy Scouts. We completed the First-aid and Emergency Preparedness merit badges. Both badges are Eagle Scout required classes....

The New York Guard (State Defense Force), the New York City Department of Environment Protection (DEP) recently held a ceremony on May 1st to honor the 40 Soldiers of the New York Guard who died while serving during World War I. The memorial service was held at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery....

Troops from the New York Guard’s (State Defense Force) 3rd Detachment recently spent their April drill developing their Chainsaw skills. Instructors went over the operation, safety and cleaning of the tool. The troops then spent time out in the field going over how to clear debris that obstruct roads. The...

The Connecticut Foot Guard (State Defense Force) recently graduated several recruits from their Initial Entry Training program (IET – Basic Training). IET is a program all State Defense Forces require of all Non-Prior Service recruits. The program provides Basic Military Training to new recruits to get them accustomed with knowledges...

The Commander of the Texas State Guard, Brigadier General Anthony Woods, was recently invited by the Texas Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) to be the guest of honor and preside over the ceremony. BG Woods is a former US Army Combat Veteran who served multiple tours in Afghanistan, and...

The Georgia State Defense Force recently attended the Big Shanty Festival, a 2 day event with approximately 70,000 attendees. Captain Clark Howard, a well known media personality, attended the event speaking to attendees and discussing the mission and benefits of joining the Georgia State Defense Force. The Georgia State Defense...

Troops from the 1st Battalion of the Michigan Defense Force spent their recent training weekend brushing up on their First Aid knowledge and ensuring their Drill & Ceremony (DNC) is equal to that of other military services. The 1/24th was lucky enough to have some warm weather over our drill...

The Texas State Guard (State Defense Force) recently graduated troops from a variety of development courses over the course of the year. From Direct Commission Officer Orientation, Officer Professional Military Education to Enlisted Professional Military Education courses. Some of the courses required long ruck marches, and rapelling. The troops will...

Staff Sergeant Jamie Reyes of the Georgia State Defense Force OPFOR Battalion was recently awarded the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal for his actions on February 16th of this year. With risk to his own life SSG Reyes provided immediate first aid and life saving measures to an individual who was...

Engineers from the Texas State Guard (State Defense Force) 1st Brigade, 2nd Battalion, Charlie Company recently spent their drill weekend training for the upcoming Hurricane season. The Engineers conducted a mock Hurricane & Tornado scenario at a State Park. The exercise included the troops assessing damage to the water &...

Col. (Va.) Robin Phillips of the Virginia Defense Force (VDF) was recently promoted to Colonel and assigned command of the VDF 1st Regiment. She becomes the first female Colonel in the Virginia Defense Force and first female commander of a VDF Regiment. Colonel Phillips is a Prior Service Veteran who...

The 3rd Brigade of the Texas State Guard (State Defense Force) recently completed their Annual Training (AT). During this extensive training period troops from the 3rd Brigade spent their time developing their First Aid skills, certifying in Forklift Operations, and Level II & III Security Training. The Security training included...

Over the last few months the Colorado Army National Guard’s 5/19th Special Warfare Training Detachment Airborne (Green Berets) has been working with the Alaska State Defense Force the past couple of months in a multitude of missions. From extreme cold weather training to conducting aerial survey missions, both organizations have...

The Virginia Defense Force Cyber Battalion recently held a Change of Command Ceremony recently where Lt. Col. (Va.) John Congson took command from Warrant Officer 1 (Va.) Daniel Coleman. The VDF Cyber Battalion is a unit composed of IT skilled professionals from the Defense Force who assist and augment the...

Troops from The Georgia State Defense Force recently spent their monthly training drill focusing on chainsaw operation & maintenance, as well as how to handle hazards involved in roadway and downed tree removal. The Georgia State Defense Force ensures their troops are trained in these skills so during a natural...