thumbtack
Member
I have been considering joining the Texas State Guard, and I was wondering if anyone here is a member. Or if you know anything about them, any information would be helpful.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Texas State Guard?
- Thread starter thumbtack
- Start date
- Status
-
Not open for further replies.
chaim
Member
I am a former member of the Maryland Defense Force so while I don't know much about the Texas State Guard I do know about the State Guard concept.
It is the official state militia, brought back by executive order of Ronald Reagan some years back.
They are a civil defense organization that is part of the military department of your state (like the National Guard). Duties and benefits (if any) vary a little from state to state. At minimum you'll be backup for the National Guard, should something be big enough that they aren't enough or should a substantial number of them be on Federal duty you can be called upon for the same kind of state duty they can be called for. Some states only use them as a kind of reserve for the guard while others will actually utilize the state guard (I remember when I was in the MDF a decade ago there was quite a buzz when CA called up their state guard to fight forest fires). In MD we "prepared" in case of nuclear war and other "worst case scenarios", and being called on for riot control or traffic control, but mainly our job was going to be to be a laison between the Guard and the families if there was a large scale call up of the National Guard and we were to make sure the Armories were maintained and safe.
Mostly it was made up of old vets (mostly Vietnam vets) and young guys who were making up their minds about whether or not they wanted to join the military. There were a few non-wartime veterans and a few who had never served but not many (my unit was me a then 20yo who had recently been discharged from the Army for a bad ankle, a former Marine officer in Vietnam, a former Marine 1SGT in Vietnam, a 20 something school teacher, a 50yo housewife, a 40yo NSA analyst and later a late 30s former Marine officer).
It is the official state militia, brought back by executive order of Ronald Reagan some years back.
They are a civil defense organization that is part of the military department of your state (like the National Guard). Duties and benefits (if any) vary a little from state to state. At minimum you'll be backup for the National Guard, should something be big enough that they aren't enough or should a substantial number of them be on Federal duty you can be called upon for the same kind of state duty they can be called for. Some states only use them as a kind of reserve for the guard while others will actually utilize the state guard (I remember when I was in the MDF a decade ago there was quite a buzz when CA called up their state guard to fight forest fires). In MD we "prepared" in case of nuclear war and other "worst case scenarios", and being called on for riot control or traffic control, but mainly our job was going to be to be a laison between the Guard and the families if there was a large scale call up of the National Guard and we were to make sure the Armories were maintained and safe.
Mostly it was made up of old vets (mostly Vietnam vets) and young guys who were making up their minds about whether or not they wanted to join the military. There were a few non-wartime veterans and a few who had never served but not many (my unit was me a then 20yo who had recently been discharged from the Army for a bad ankle, a former Marine officer in Vietnam, a former Marine 1SGT in Vietnam, a 20 something school teacher, a 50yo housewife, a 40yo NSA analyst and later a late 30s former Marine officer).
chaim
Member
Oh yeah, almost forgot. Usually the "drills" are held one Sat and/or Sun a month and you do it for free. What the drills consist of will depend completely on how seriously your state takes the concept (and more importantly how seriously the state National Guard which the State Guard is subservient to takes it). You will probably be doing mostly paperwork or classroom training, probably on a National Guard military reservation. We did get Red Cross CPR and first aid certified yearly. The officers of our unit also had a lot of leeway as to what we did (we did go to a gun club's range and shoot members privately owned pistols and .22s one afternoon).
The atmosphere varies. It is certainly going to be more laid back than a regular military environment or the National Guard but it will be somewhat military in trappings. After a spending the day doing whatever we'd be doing we would go to the liquor store and buy a case of beer and sit around talking and drinking beer for our last two hours or so before going home anywhere from 7-9pm.
Uniforms vary, some states had distinctive State Guard/Defense Force uniforms, some used regular Army BDUs and some (like MD- the National Guard General in charge of the MD state military department didn't want a bunch of civilians running around in real Army uniforms, and I can't blame him) used obsolete Vietnam era BDUs.
The atmosphere varies. It is certainly going to be more laid back than a regular military environment or the National Guard but it will be somewhat military in trappings. After a spending the day doing whatever we'd be doing we would go to the liquor store and buy a case of beer and sit around talking and drinking beer for our last two hours or so before going home anywhere from 7-9pm.
Uniforms vary, some states had distinctive State Guard/Defense Force uniforms, some used regular Army BDUs and some (like MD- the National Guard General in charge of the MD state military department didn't want a bunch of civilians running around in real Army uniforms, and I can't blame him) used obsolete Vietnam era BDUs.
Ohio Reserve
Came real close (swearing in "5 minutes")a year ago to accepting a commission with the Ohio Reserve. Very impressed with them, about 90% are former military and very dedicated. Couldn't go thru with it (spirit was willing) do the the monthy 5-9 hour drives involved and the over-nighters and gear/uniforms at my expense. If their was a unit within an hour or so of my residence I would have jumped at the opportunity. They are a very worthwhile community service organization sanctioned by the State of Ohio.
Came real close (swearing in "5 minutes")a year ago to accepting a commission with the Ohio Reserve. Very impressed with them, about 90% are former military and very dedicated. Couldn't go thru with it (spirit was willing) do the the monthy 5-9 hour drives involved and the over-nighters and gear/uniforms at my expense. If their was a unit within an hour or so of my residence I would have jumped at the opportunity. They are a very worthwhile community service organization sanctioned by the State of Ohio.
VaughnT
Member
A buddy is in the SC State Guard. From what I can tell, it's a joke. There is no training that I would say is worth the time. There are no physical standards (this guy is very fat, like me, and can't begin to do exercises). Uniforms are not provided. There is no pay.
What is the upside to all this? Is there respect? Are you doing good deeds? Are you likely to see action in a war? Here in SC, the chances of the SG being called up are soooo slim. Heck, I hadn't even heard of the thing until he told me about it a year ago. When he suggested I join, "Hey, man, I can get you in. Don't worry about it!" I knew it wasn't serious. Like Marx said, "I wouldn't want to be a member of any club that would have someone like me as a member."
Maybe it's different in other states.
What is the upside to all this? Is there respect? Are you doing good deeds? Are you likely to see action in a war? Here in SC, the chances of the SG being called up are soooo slim. Heck, I hadn't even heard of the thing until he told me about it a year ago. When he suggested I join, "Hey, man, I can get you in. Don't worry about it!" I knew it wasn't serious. Like Marx said, "I wouldn't want to be a member of any club that would have someone like me as a member."
Maybe it's different in other states.
MitchSchaft
member
From what I can tell, it's a joke.
Compared to the "real" military I'm sure it is.
I'm curious as to what exactly goes on and what the day-to-day activies are. I'm sure each State varies.
Several years ago, after retiring form the Army, I was a member of the State Defense Force in TN. It was a very professional group of people. We wore the current military uniforms and had a very clear chain of command. There was a "background check" of sorts. Nothing major but it would, and did, weed out those not fit.
Chaim gives a very good overview of the way things worked in our command. Seems that some states take the concept very seriously while some others don't. All in all, I enjoyed my "time in". Shucks, when a master sgt (E-8) retired, can be commissioned as a Captain (0-3), things must be good.
If anyone is interested, the best place to contact is the National Guard CG's office.
Chaim gives a very good overview of the way things worked in our command. Seems that some states take the concept very seriously while some others don't. All in all, I enjoyed my "time in". Shucks, when a master sgt (E-8) retired, can be commissioned as a Captain (0-3), things must be good.
If anyone is interested, the best place to contact is the National Guard CG's office.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
thumbtack, have you rooted around in Google for Internet info and comments?
Art
Art
WilderBill
Member
One of my friends was in the Texas State Guard some years back.
At that time they had early Veitnam era uniforms, M1s and a few WW2 duece and a halfs.
I beleive it had to be disbanded when Carter came in. Something about States don't need their own armed forces.
Since we are being invaded from the South, I disagree on that!
At that time they had early Veitnam era uniforms, M1s and a few WW2 duece and a halfs.
I beleive it had to be disbanded when Carter came in. Something about States don't need their own armed forces.
Since we are being invaded from the South, I disagree on that!
thumbtack
Member
Art,
I have talked to them on the phone, and I was looking to see if anyone had any first hand knowledge of how they operate.
WilderBill
Nope, they are still around.
I have talked to them on the phone, and I was looking to see if anyone had any first hand knowledge of how they operate.
WilderBill
Nope, they are still around.
WilderBill
Member
Thumbtack, I know they are around now, but my friend did tell me they were shut down at one time. He really missed the Garand.
- Status
-
Not open for further replies.
Similar threads
- Replies
- 7
- Views
- 442
- Replies
- 140
- Views
- 7K