Commanders Briefing
2022 – Interview with Puerto Rico State Guard Commanding General, Brigadier General Edrick Ramirez González
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, your educational background, military service and what inspired you to serve in the Puerto Rico State Guard?
BG Edrick Ramirez was born in San German, Puerto Rico; he joined the PRNG State Guard Command as a commissioned officer in the 900th Medical Company in 2007. BG Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Science and a degree in pre-medicine from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San German Campus. He graduated medical school in 2000. In 2003, became an attending physician in the department of Family Medicine. BG Ramirez graduated from Officer Basic Course, Officer Advance Course, Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS), Command and Staff Course Phase I and Command and Staff Course Phase II in 2019.
BG Ramirez’s first assignment was as Platoon leader, 900th Medical Company. In June 2009 was appointed officer in charge of the Medical Aid Station in Ft. Allen Juana Diaz Puerto Rico. In May 2014, he was appointed Field Medical officer, 900th Medical Command, Camp Santiago, Salinas, Puerto Rico. In September 2016 was appointed Field Medical Operation Officer 900th Medical Command, Camp Santiago, Salinas, Puerto Rico. BG Ramirez was active during disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Maria from October 2017 to January 2018 as a Field Physician and Medical Operation Officer attached the PRARNG Medical Company Support Area in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
He became Commander of the 900th Medical Command, Camp Santiago, Salinas, Puerto Rico in May 2019. BG Ramirez served in Earthquake Support as Medical Commander attached to PRARNG Task Force South in Guanica, Puerto Rico. In February 2020, he was appointed State Surgeon of the Puerto Rico State Guard Command. Shortly after that, he was called to state active duty in Operation Strong Front as Joint Task Force Surgeon. His responsibilities also included Officer in Charge of Task Force Screening and Senior Medical Advisor. BG Ramirez has been on state active duty since March 2020. In August 2021, BG Ramirez was appointed by The Adjutant General of Puerto Rico National Guard, MG. Jose Juan Reyes as Commanding General of the Puerto Rico State Guard Command.
2. What kind of missions is the Puerto Rico State Guard up to these days?
Puerto Rico State Guard is ready for any mission assigned by the Governor of Puerto Rico and The Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard. The mission of the Puerto Rico State Guard is mission-ready military forces to partner with state and local authorities in civil support missions in times of emergency to preserve life and property and community assistance to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Puerto Rico.
3. How does the Puerto Rico State Guard attract new recruits, do you advertise on TV, radio, internet or by word of mouth?
Puerto Rico State Guard currently relies on word-of-mouth and by exposure during our missions and events to attract new service members. However, there is a new Recruiting & Retention Detachment that will actively promote Puerto Rico State Guard Command in social platforms, TV and radio.
4. Does the Puerto Rico State Guard have troops on continuous Active-Duty missions? Such as full time Active-Duty recruiters or support personnel?
has service members currently on state active duty in support of COVID-19 response. However, Puerto Rico State Guard Command service members are volunteers that provide support during unit training assembly (UTA) every month, yearly training, and special projects through the year. The Puerto Rico State Guard Command were always Ready and present in all Puerto Rico emergencies and disaster since their creation.
5. Do you take Non-Prior Service Troops into the Puerto Rico State Guard Command? If So how long is your Basic Training?
Prior service is not a requirement for admission into the Puerto Rico State Guard Command. If a candidate does not prior service, the candidate will be enrolled in basic training and go thru a Career Development Program to improve their skills and knowledge.
6. What skills do the new recruits learn during Basic training?
Basic training includes customs and courtesies, uniform, weight and grooming standards, physical fitness, Puerto Rico State Guard Command doctrine, emergency management, safety amongst other topics.
7. Does the Puerto Rico State Guard Work Joint Task Force missions with the National Guard? If so what Task Forces and missions are they working hand in hand with their National Guard?
The Puerto Rico State Guard Command works in Joint Task Force (JTF) missions’ side by side with the Puerto Rico National Guard. In recent years, these include the Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Earthquake January 2020, Operations Strong Front (Covid-19) and Operation Recycle Gear.
8. For the Covid-19 Pandemic, what missions were performed by the Puerto Rico State Guard?
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Puerto Rico State Guard Command personnel provided Covid- 19 PCR and Antigen test, more than 20 Surgeons for testing and treatment of Covid-19. logistics and security personnel. Puerto Rico State Guard Command service members were assigned to airport for medical screening (passenger arrival, COVID-19 testing), immunization centers, immunizations tasks force that provided services at elderly homes and special populations, COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and safety tasks.
9. The Puerto Rico is one of the leading State Defense Forces in the country, what recommendations do you have for other State Defense Forces who are less active in regard to having a better working relationship with their National Guard?
A committed group of professionals is the bases for the success of the organization. However, communication is the key to any working relationship. Puerto Rico State Guard Command has maintained good communication channels with The Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard. In addition, the TAG-PRNG has placed his trust in our organization and our service members have always stepped up to serve above and beyond the call of duty. Conduct Joint Training Exercise in order to (IOT) improve coordination before, during and after emergencies.
10. Has the Puerto Rico State Guard ever deployed out of Puerto Rico? If so what countries / states were they deployed to?
Puerto Rico State Guard Command is a state defense force that responds to the Governor of Puerto Rico and/or The Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard, and our mission is to support Puerto Rico. While it will be an honor to serve any other country in need of our services, there are some legal limitations that constraint our response outside the jurisdiction.
11. Does the Puerto Rico State Guard have vehicles & specialized equipment such as emergency radio networks to utilize during emergencies / Natural disasters?
Puerto Rico State Guard Command has some equipment for emergency response, other equipment is provided by the Puerto Rico National Guard, and we are currently working on obtaining grants to acquire additional equipment.
12. Does the Puerto Rico State Guard enforce height, weight & age standards similar to the National Guard? If so, what are they?
Puerto Rico State Guard Command has a Body Composition Program (BCP) with some similarities to the Puerto Rico National Guard. However, the Puerto Rico State Guard Command standards for initial entry is 32 or less of body mass index (BMI), waiver-able with entry into BCP of 40 or less of BMI.
13. In 2007 the Maryland Defense Force did something no other SDF ever did, they deployed with the Maryland Air National Guard on a medical & humanitarian mission to Bosnia- Herzegovina. We also did a poll on StateDefenseForce.com recently where 84% of respondents believe SDF’s should have volunteer units that can join and support their National Guard in international missions to provide assistance in support related tasks such as communications, logistics, supply, medical, legal, etc. Do you believe the SDF / SG’s could assist the National Guard in such missions in overseas locations?
The Puerto Rico State Guard is ready, capable, and willing to support the Puerto Rico National Guard in any mission in another country. It would be a welcome opportunity to serve in an unprecedented mission and open the doors for future service members to participate in humanitarian missions.
14. What are your long-term plans for the Puerto Rico State Guard?
Long term plans include increase the membership, provide military occupational specialty (MOS) qualification courses that are certified by the approving authorities, increase Military Emergency Management Specialist Qualification at the Services Members, include the latest technology in every aspect of the organization and continue to provide service above and beyond the call of duty. Include the Puerto Rico State Guard Strategic Plan
Respectfully,
EDRICK RAMIREZ GONZALEZ
Brigadier General, PRSG Commanding General
