Chaplain Training Conference

Attention! ROTHCO Products Now in the SGAUS Store

SGAUS has partnered with Rothco, the world’s foremost supplier of military, tactical, outdoor clothing and gear.  We have increased our store offerings from 68 to 1,375 items.  Check us out at the SGAUS and/or Rothco store.

Founded in 1953, Rothco has provided the military clothing and outdoor retailer with top quality merchandise.  Today Rothco serves over 10,000 dealers globally.  While Rothco’s heritage is rooted in authentic military apparel and gear, Rothco also serves the Tactical, Public Safety, Survival & Preparedness, Outdoor & Camping, and Government Suppliers.

You must be a member of SGAUS to access the Rothco store though the SGAUS website.  Price compare our products online, and you will see that our sales prices are below the retail prices of others.

Another value added service is provided to you as a member of SGAUS.  Thank you for your support and your service in your State Defense Force.

Board of Directors, State Guard Association of the United States.

On October 21, 2017 the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) celebrated its 100th anniversary at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore, which was attended by a host of state and local officials.

On October 23, 1917 the Maryland State Guard, as the MDDF was then called, was founded to protect public building, water supplies and other properties as the Maryland National Guard was deployed overseas. The centennial celebration ceremony included remarks from Maj. Gen. Linda Singh, The Adjutant General of Maryland and Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Lorenza Cooper, Commanding General of the MDDF. The event also included a keynote address by David Craig, executive director of the Maryland World War I Centennial Commission. At the conclusion of the ceremony special commemorative coins celebrating the 100th Anniversary were distributed to MDDF members, former members and distinguished guests.

During his remarks, Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Lorenza Cooper called the original state guardsmen, “Super-Patriots who were prepared to thwart an attack on Maryland while the Maryland National Guard was deployed.” He then shared that, George Bernard Shaw once stated, “the reasonable man adapts himself to the world, the unreasonable man adapts the world to himself; therefore, all progress is dependent upon the unreasonable man.” He continued, “Therefore we must continue to adapt to changing times. Transformation is coming fast, and natural disasters are increasing, which pro-vides us with an opportunity to adapt to this new environment.” He then shared, “I can guarantee that the next 100 years will not be like the last 100 years. Foreign and domestic terrorism is on the rise, natural disasters are unpredictable, and death and destruction are now at your fingertips. However, let history record that the state militia is as strong today as it was in 1917.” He concluded, “While the future is uncertain, it is with certainty that the MDDF and a community of volunteers will always rise to the occasion.”

Maj. Gen. Linda Singh, the adjutant general of Maryland began her remarks by thanking the MDDF and said, “The Maryland Military Department cannot do what we do without your support.” She continued, “One hundred years ago the only thing that was constant was change. Today the only thing that is constant is change. We have the opportunity to shape the MDDF of the future.” She then added, “Americans have forgotten what it’s like to have a battle on the homeland. However, today’s natural disasters and local terrorists constitute our current battles on the home front.” She then shared, “I hope that we never see the destruction here that occurred during World War I. It takes the will of the people to get through something like that, but that’s what the MDDF represents – the will of the people.” Gen. Singh expressed her wish that, “the MDDF will triple in size because that tells me that more and more people are willing to give their time and lives for their country.” She concluded by saying, “If ever we have to defend the home-land and the Maryland National Guard is called away, I know that you will be there.”

In his speech, Mr. Craig shared, “the Maryland National Guard had been very active prior to the entry of our country into World War I. Units had been sent to Texas to resolve issues which the U.S. was having with Mexico in 1916 and they actually entered Mexico. When we entered the war, President Woodrow Wilson moved the National Guard into federal service.” Consequently, the state was largely left unprotected and he continued, “In 1916 Germany sent a U-Boat into the Chesapeake Bay which reached Baltimore. This caused great fear in the state.” This fear facilitated the creation of the Maryland State Guard. The Maryland State Guard was mobilized twice during World War I to ease racial tensions across the state. Mr. Craig also shared that Governor Emerson Harrington who signed the Maryland State Guard legislation into law stated before leaving office, “We are under deep obligation to the state guard.” Shortly after the war, the Maryland State Guard was disbanded.

MDDF OLD and NEW Uniforms

As the United States entered World War II there was again fear on the home front. On October 21, 1940 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Federal legislation authorizing states to again institute state guards. Then Maryland Governor, Herbert O’Connor signed state legislation creating the Maryland State Guard on February 14, 1941. As a part of the state guard, this legislation included for the first time the formation of a black infantry unit. During World War II, nearly every county in the state had a company. Again, after the war the Maryland State Guard was disbanded.

On July 1, 1983 the Maryland Defense Force was recreated after being authorized through legislation signed by then Governor Harry Hughes. The MDDF has continued its service to the state uninterrupted since that time. After presenting Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Cooper with a citation on behalf of Lawrence J. Hogan, the governor of Maryland, Mr. Craig, concluded, “I respect all of you who are here now, all of you who were here before and all of you who wish to be here in the future.”

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer militia unit providing competent, supplementary, professional and technical support and soldiers to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland as needed. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 250 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Mary-land.

For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.

By: MAJ Stephen Rice srice@mddf.us

 

Steve Kaminski, Deputy Commander of the Mississippi State Guard, passed away December 30, 2016. In Mississippi Steve was known for his leadership and innovative programs; and many in SGAUS recall Steve from the annual conventions; however, he will be best remembered for his actions on behalf of Medal of Honor recipients.

His work in this area supports the SGAUS Mission of: “Educate public officials and communities of the benefits of establishing and maintaining state defense forces.”

Steve was fond of saying his service with the State Guard was his second fulltime job, and often he found ways for his work as a 777 Captain for Delta Airlines to overlap. With Delta he frequently met senior military officers and public officials and would tell them of his State Guard service and how it benefits the community. Steve often said that one of the benefits that public officials often overlooked when considering the State Guard was the experience and network that each volunteer brought to the organization. The best example of how Steve demonstrated this was at the Trail of Honor, an annual event for veterans in Jackson, Mississippi.  

The Trail of Honor hosts over 30,000 veterans during a weekend in May and the Mississippi State Guard provides support for this event. One of the highlights of the events are the WWII veterans such as the Navajo Code Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen and Medal of Honor Recipients. In one of the first planning meetings Steve attended as a liaison for the Mississippi State Guard, he attended a budget presentation on how they would like to invite more WWII veterans to speak but the funds did not allow for this. Stepping out of his role at the meeting to discuss logistics, and into his position as a Delta pilot he asked, “Would free airfare help?” and then met with Delta to help sponsor the event. Delta became a major event sponsor. If the Trail of Honor had not partnered with the State Guard this relationship may not have happened.  

However, it was at this Trail of Honor event where Steve first began to plan a contribution that the recipients of our nation’s highest honor will be forever grateful for. During the Trail of Honor Steve had a chance to talk with the Medal of Honor recipients and made a discovery – those awarded our nation’s highest honor did not get an automatic upgrade to Business Class and since many had extensive injuries so legroom was al-most a necessity. Yet, none complained. Steve knew these individuals would never complain, or ask for special treatment, or expect to be upgraded – but he knew as an officer in the Mississippi State Guard and a Delta Pilot he could do some-thing. He wrote a letter to Edward H. Bastian, President, Delta Airlines. The introduction follows:  

Dear Mr. Bastian:

There are 79 living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I have had the privilege of meeting some of them while flying, but last March I spent time on the ground with Medal of Honor recipient Thomas R. Norris at the Trail of Honor event in Jackson, Mississippi where I am a Colonel in the Mississippi State Guard. Lieutenant Norris, like many of the recipients, had been wounded in action – in his case it was a three-year recovery in the hospital. We forget that recovery from wounds does not mean full mobility, and I have noticed many of the recipients I have met often need a little extra space when getting up or down. Please consider giving 79 American heroes an upgrade to business class.  

The President and Board of Delta Airlines agreed with him and announced an automatic upgrade for Medal of Honor recipients. However, Steve was not done. He then distributed the Delta decision on upgrades to other airlines and in a few months this upgrade became an industry standard.  

Steve continued his relationship with Medal of Honor recipients and was an honored guest at many of their gatherings. He also used his relationship and experiences with Medal of Honor recipients in the State Guard too. Soon after he accomplished his goal of the automatic upgrades, Mississippi State Guard members were informed that uniform nametapes had to be changed to red from black. There was concern among some members that having a different color would mean that State Guard members would not be viewed as real members of the military. Steve countered this perception by saying,  “I was just with eight Medal of Honor recipients and they all addressed me as Colonel and thanked me for my service to our state. If our uniform is good enough for them, I would not worry about what someone else said.” 

Steve was informed he had cancer in October; however, as many in the Mississippi State Guard can attest to – he just saw this as a reason to accelerate programs he had started a few months previously. Sadly, his prediction of at least six months to complete them did not occur – he passed away roughly 90 days after his diagnosis. 

He was honored this past January with a memorial ceremony at Army National Guard Headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi where he was posthumously promoted to General and his widow received his Magnolia Cross, the highest peacetime medal the Mississippi National Guard may award. 

By Denver Mullican

CORTLANDT MANOR, Camp Smith Training Site, NY – The New York Guard, the state’s volunteer state defense force, completed their week-long annual training at Camp Smith Training Site, which was held from Au-gust 5-11. During the week-long training, 35 soldiers who were new to the New York Guard completed their (IET) initial entry training program, learning basic soldier skills such as Drill and Ceremony, basic first aid, Map orientation and wear and appearance of the New York Guard Uniform.  

In addition, 20 new appointed officers completed their in-residence portion of their Basic Officer course, and 40 Junior NCO’s completed their Professional Development Leaders course (PDLC), which prepares them for the role as future NCO’s in the New York Guard, and over 40 Soldiers assigned in the New York Guard Engineer unit were involved in construction projects throughout Camp Smith.  

After Annual training, a graduation ceremony was held, the Soldiers who completed IET, BOC, and PLDC were presented a certification of completion by the New York Guard Acting Commander, Colonel David Warager.

This year also marked the 100th Anniversary of the New York Guard, which was established August 3rd, 1917, when the 24,000 members of the New York National Guard were mobilized to fight in France in 1917, the state created the New York Guard as a state militia to replace the National Guard. National Guard Soldiers had been guarding railroad bridges, the New York City water system, and the Erie Canal to prevent sabotage by enemy agents and state officials want to replace that force. Eventually there were 10,000 New York Guard members across this state with about 2000 serving on active duty as a security force.

 The Adjutant General of New York, Major General Anthony German Congratulates the New York Guard after the unveiling of New York Guard Centennial Celebration plaque held during the New York Guard’s annual training in August 2017 (Below)

At the beginning of the training week, on August 5th, 2017 the New York Guard held a special centennial dinner celebrating 100 Years of Service to the State by the New York Guard. The speaker for the evening was Brigadier General G Michel Natali, Commanding General, NYARNG 53rd Troop Command, who also attended the event with COL Isabel Smith, Chief of Staff, 53rd Troop Command, & CSM Corey K Cush, 53rd Troop Command CSM. BG Natali and his staff were presented with a Commemorative New York Guard challenge coin and Commemorative mug, which celebrates the establishment of the New York Guard 100 years ago, by the New York Guard Acting Commander David Warager.

As part of the New York Guard Centennial Celebration, on August 9th, 2017 the 300 Soldiers attending Annual training along with former commanders of the New York Guard and invited guests celebrated the 100th anniversary of the New York Guard with a Commemorative Plaque unveiling ceremony that commemorated and celebrated the establishment of the New York Guard 100 years ago, on August 3rd, 1917. The Commemorative plaque was unveiled by Major General Anthony P. German, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, and Colonel David Warager, who was also presented a Citation Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the New York Guard from the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo.

(Below) New York Guard in formation during the unveiling of plaque commemorating their Centennial Celebration during their Annual training in August 2017 at Camp Smith Training Site. Photo by Cpt Mark Getman- NYG, PAO

 During the unveiling ceremony the Adjutant General, MG German remarked “I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the Governor on your celebration of 100 Years of Service to the State of New York. Soldiers of the New York Guard you are the epitome of what volunteering is about. You have answered the call to your State, when called upon. Since 1917, New York Soldiers have served to protect the State and its Citizens, with 9/11, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and most recently this summer assisting with filling sand bags and providing assistance to the National Guard, where needed with the flooding upstate in Lake Ontario. I appreciate all you do for New York State and its Citizens.”

In addition, the New York Guard was also presented with a framed picture of the New York Guard from 1917, honoring their service since 1917 to the State, and a Proclamation by the New York Senate Honoring the New York Guard’s 100th Anniversary presented by Jared Manfredi, on behalf of NY State Senator Terrence Murphy, 40th Senate District where Camp Smith Training Site is located. At the end of the ceremony, New York Guard Soldiers posed along with New York Guard senior leaders with the Commemorative plaque to commemorate this historic event, before they re-turned to their annual training.

Colonel Warager, Acting Commander of the New York Guard stated during his remarks, “When we were established at the outbreak of WWI, it was manned then, as it is today, with a mix of soldiers from across New York State and with both veterans who brought their military experience and many soldiers new to the military. Our mission then was to protect the Aqueduct supplying fresh water to NYC and the Erie Canal from Troy to Buffalo. In the last 20 years, we have been called to duty to support missions including:

• The September 11th attacks, Hurricane Irene, in 2011, Super Storm Sandy in 2012, the Buffalo Blizzard of 2014,
• the Anti-Terrorism Surge of last fall and Operation Lake Ontario from May to August of this year.

Each time we have answered the call to serve when called out by the Governor in time of need. I want to particularly note and thank the NYG soldiers who served on Operation Lake Ontario. This mission was almost three months long. It was not a “sexy” mission, it was filling and distributing sandbags. It also did not have much press coverage beyond the immediate affected area. There was more press coverage of wild fires out west than the historical flooding that was happening right in north-western NY State.

New York Guard Acting Commander, Colonel David Warager addresses the New York Guard and guest during the New York Guard Centennial Celebration, held during the New York Guard annual training on August 9th, 2017.

But when the call went out the NYG stepped up. We met all our commitments to DMNA. Our soldiers were outstanding in their performance. The NYG is the true citizen soldier, month after month, year after year we train to prepare to be called to serve, without pay and in many instances, spending money out of our own pocket to participate.

We are called by the opportunity to serve and help our neighbors and to serve side by side during an activation with our brethren in the Army Guard and Air Guard and Naval Militia. As we move into our second century we will be focused on improving our training and devoting more re-sources to support our training efforts. We will also continue our recruiting efforts to sustain the force to be able to perform our current mission and any new missions that are assigned. Thank you, all my fellow soldiers in the NYG. Without you, there is no NYG.”

New York Guard soldiers (Below) in the Professional Leaders Development Course (PLDC), held during the New York Guard Annual training from August 5-11 2017 practice land orientation as part of their week long course, held at Camp Smith Training Site.

 During World War II the New York Guard was created again and in the 1950s the New York Guard was established as a permanent force. The New York Guard is a force of 500 uniformed volunteers, organized as a military unit, who augment the New York National Guard during state emergencies. They provide administrative and logistics sup-port to the National Guard. Unlike members of the New York National Guard, New York Guard members do not have a federal military role and do not deploy outside the state. New York Guard members usually train in a volunteer status and are only paid when they are placed on state duty during emergencies. Many members of the New York Guard are retired members of the National Guard and Reserve forces, who bring a wealth of experience to the force.

Additional Images from the New York Guard’s annual training and Centennial celebrations can be found at the following links:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm6ewJ8p

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm8Ns7rt

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1XkgF2

By: Cpt Mark Getman Photos by: Cpt Mark Getman, and SPC Chuck Garelick,