How many of you military retirees or prior service are in your individual State Guard? Not the National Guard.

1SG James A. "Bud" Parker — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:00:13 -0500

Response by 1SG James A. "Bud" Parker made Nov 22 at 2015 1:00 PM

1SG James A. "Bud" Parker — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:00:52 -0500

The State Guard is commanded by your State's Governor.

Response by 1SG James A. "Bud" Parker made Nov 22 at 2015 1:09 PM

1SG James A. "Bud" Parker — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:09:54 -0500

Here is what it is all about in Mississippi.

SERVING WITH THE MISSISSIPPI STATE GUARD

The Mississippi State Guard (MSSG) is the constitutionally authorized State Defense Force of the state of Mississippi. Operating under the authority of the Mississippi Military Department, it is on an equal constitutional basis with the Mississippi Army National Guard, (MSARNG) and the Mississippi Air National Guard (MSANG). The Commanding General of the State Guard is appointed by the Adjutant General of the State of Mississippi, and answers directly to him. Further, all Commissioned Officer appointments and or promotions must be approved by the Adjutant General.

The Mississippi State Guard is an all-volunteer organization tasked with supplementing the forces of the Mississippi Army National Guard and/or Air National Guard upon the order of the Governor of the State of Mississippi through the Adjutant General of the State of Mississippi. While its primary mission is to assist in coping with any man-made or natural disaster, the MSSG trains to be ready to meet any assignment. As a State Guard Unit, it is not subject to any federal authority, with regard to assignment and/or control.

The Mississippi State Guard is most closely aligned with the traditional concept of 'state militia': members are volunteers, self-equipped (armed only under special circumstances, as defined in law), can only operate within the borders of the state, and are unpaid unless activated to assist or backfill the MSARNG.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 22 at 2015 1:32 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:32:27 -0500

Decided after retirement from the military, I would leave it at retirement and go on to do something else military related, but not "military" per se. So here I am! A DA Civilian!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 22 at 2015 2:59 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 14:59:11 -0500

1SG James A. "Bud" Parker, here's the info on the Tennessee State Guard:
"The Tennessee State Guard is the all-volunteer arm of the Tennessee Military Department. It is authorized by Tennessee Code Annotated 58-1-401.
The Tennessee State Guard, which is the all-volunteer arm of the Tennessee Military Department, is headquartered in Nashville and consists of approximately 500 personnel."

"The Mission of the Tennessee State Guard:
The purpose of the Tennessee State Guard is to provide a professional complement of personnel to support the State mission of the Tennessee National Guard, by assisting the Tennessee Army National Guard as a force multiplier, and at the direction of the Adjutant General, to assist civil authorities with disaster relief, humanitarian causes, ceremonial service, religious and medical support for the well being and safety of the citizenry of Tennessee."

When I retired from the USAR in MAY98, I considered joining the Tennessee State Guard, and even interviewed with them. I found it to be poorly organized, manned and equipped and decided I could better spend my time elsewhere. I hope things have improved since I interviewed with them!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 2:40 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 02:40:35 -0500

I joined for a little while, however, I left after about 2 years because, at my rank (which matches my retirement grade) they could offer mainly administrative duties. Most of the interesting positions mostly involving direct support of the troops required lower grade. In the meantime, I'm plenty busy with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol and Naval Sea Cadet adult leader. They can be much more flexible about assignments. Unlike the state defense forces those organizations don't tie you to TDA positions available for your rank.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 6:10 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 06:10:41 -0500

I am proudly still serving in the Indiana Guard Reserve.

Response by SFC Joseph Marcotte made Nov 23 at 2015 10:35 AM

SFC Joseph Marcotte — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:35:05 -0500

Nope not in either

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 24 at 2015 3:49 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 03:49:45 -0500

Arizona is authorized a State Guard but has not yet stood it up. If/when they will I will see about enlisting.

Response by TSgt David Blakley made Nov 26 at 2015 12:04 PM

TSgt David Blakley — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:04:18 -0500

Correct me if I'm wrong, sir, but if you're retired from the military it is not possible to join your State Guard, right?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2015 11:33 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 11:33:04 -0500

Transferred from CA ARNG to CA SMR upon retirement. CA SMR is pretty well integrated with ANG and ARNG. Two of CA ARNG major training sites are commanded by SMR officers.

Response by SN Mark Willson made Jan 17 at 2018 10:21 PM

SN Mark Willson — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 22:21:41 -0500

I was in the Oregon State Defense Force (ORSDF) and am now in the Washington State Guard (WSG).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 1:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 13:41:49 -0500

From my experience, at least in my state, the state guard is pretty much a social club for former NG and RES members. I've seen State Guard officers (CPTs and MAJs) who were in the NG for 4 years and ETSed as a PFC or SPC. They did, however, keep the grass mowed at our armory while we were deployed....

Response by SN Mark Willson made Mar 31 at 2022 8:47 PM

SN Mark Willson — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 20:47:21 -0400

The Washington State Guard (WSG) which I'm in is rather small at a total force size of about 110 with about 70-80% prior service. Over the years I've been deployed with the WA NG and WA ANG to multiple fires, exercises, and recently even COVID response which our force was about 50% deployed--some for as long as a year.

Good ol boys club we're not.