SGAUS

State Guard Association of the United States

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Virginia Defense Force – Traffic Control Point Support

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Members of the Virginia Defense Force operate traffic control points and provide mission command support May 5, 2017, at the 90th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia. More than 90 members of the all-volunteer VDF from units across the state assisted local law enforcement in keeping traffic moving and operated as many as 59 TCPs during a variety of events May 5 and 6. The VDF …also took advantage of the mission to train on multiple communication systems and rehearse administrative, mission command and logistics procedures they would use if they were called to state active duty to augment the Virginia National Guard. Learn more about the VDF at https://go.usa.gov/x5Sct. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear)

 

2017 Annual Conference Information

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Welcome to the landing page for the 2017 SGAUS Conference!

For information about the conference and the workshops offered:  Information.

Hotel and area video:  Video.

For family activities and area attractions: Activities & Attractions.

 

SGAUS 2017 Annual Conference Corporate Sponsors

On behalf of the Executive Board and all the members, we wish to express our gratitude for the great partnership our Corporate and individual sponsors have established with our Association.  Please take the time to view the list and visit their web sites by following the link below.

Sponsors

SGAUS Medical Training Academy – Myrtle Beach, SC – September 23, 2017!

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Medical Training Academy

SGAUS is planning to institute a Medical Academy. There will be an organizational meeting at the upcoming SGAUS Meeting in Myrtle Beach, SC.  The meeting will be held on Saturday 23 Sep 2017, 1000-1200.  All Medical personnel attending the SGAUS convention are encouraged to participate in this initial meeting.  Personnel invited include physicians, dentists, nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, veterinarians, medical service corps officers, behavioral health professionals, physicians assistants, EMTs, and paramedics as well as any other interested parties.  The purpose of this meeting is to determine the types of medical organizations existing in the various State Defense Forces and to develop plans for appropriate medical training which can and should be offered by SGAUS as well as to develop a sharing of concepts and cooperation between medical activities of the various state defense forces.  This initial meeting will last approximately 2 hours.  Register NOW at … Register.

If you wish to discuss your state defense force organization, audio visual equipment to allow short power point slide presentations will be available.  If you know you are going to attend and especially if you would like to add to the formal discussion, please contact:

David J Cohen MD, FACS

BG, TXSG (ret)

Chair, SGAUS Medical Academy

Cell phone: (210) 241-4675

Email: dcohen@satx.rr.com

Puerto Rico Joint Partnership MOU

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Improving Unit Partnership

During the April 9, 2017 regular scheduled drill, COL Edward L. Vaughan, 156th Airlift Wing Commander and COL(PR) Jesus Delgado, 1st Air Base Group Commander signed a Memorandum of Understanding solidifying the working relationship between the Puerto Rico Air National Guard and the Puerto Rico Air State Guard.

“Our partnership with the Puerto Rico Air State Guard is stronger today than ever.” said Vaughan. “In every way the 1st Air Base Group has been able to help us, they’ve done an outstanding job. Their dedication to our community and the 156th Airlift Wing is vital to our mission readiness. While State Guard Airmen work side by side the 156th AW Airmen on our regular scheduled drills, there were legal hurdles to mutual aid that weren’t solved. This MOU resolves a lot of those issues and shows our commitment to the outstanding relationship between the 156th AW and the 1st ABG, now and for years to come.”

COL(PR) Delgado said “For all of us in the 1st Air Base Group, signing this MOU is the culmination of years of efforts to formalize our relationship with the 156th AW. This is a historic milestone, and the beginning of a new era of partnership and joint work amongst us. Thanks to COL Vaughan, COL Figueroa, and all the 156th AW leadership and Airmen for believing and trusting in the integrity and capabilities of the 1st ABG’s Airmen.”

For more information … http://sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/156AW-and-1AB-MOU.pdf

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SGAUS Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) Conference – Myrtle Beach, SC – 22 September 2017!

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Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) Training and Conference will be held at the 2017 State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on 22 September. This will be the first training and conference for SGAUS UPAR personnel, and it will be modeled on trainings held for the Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) and Judge Advocate Generals (JAG). Content for this full day training will cover topics such as National Incident Management System (NIMS) Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers, best practices for State Defense Force (SDF) PAOs at headquarters and unit level, recommendations for table top exercises for UPAR personnel, and additional trainings and information.

The rationale for the training is to heighten awareness of duties of UPAR personnel in SDFs. In the 21st century the role of the UPAR with respect to public information, especially with a rapidly changing social media environment and the role that SDFs play in disaster relief, is increasingly important. To function professionally the UPAR should begin to work toward an attitude of a professional information officer, and training and best practices of UPAR will be shared to help achieve this end.  SDFs can improve in getting the story of SDFs and their mission to all Americans, and these techniques can be learned and practiced.  The way to do this is to begin the development of a professional UPAR corps.  Doing so will have a positive affect on public perception, influencing state legislators and recruitment as well as creating a sense of community among SDF forces.

Examples of content that will be discussed include how to run social media inside an SDF unit (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram); write articles for SGAUS and SDF magazines and newsletters; shoot photo’s, post-process pictures, and maintain an archive; shoot and edit video and upload to DVIDS and maintain an archive; produce commemorative items (t-shirts, poker chips, photo books, coins, and other paraphernalia); and keep a history of the unit.

Register NOW at … Register.

More information on the UPAR Conference and Training can be had by contacting 1LT Steven Estes at LTSteven.Estes@icloud.com.

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SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD – Dive Team

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EXPERIENCE SCUBA
The State Guard Dive Team will be offering a short introductory in water SCUBA experience to State Guard members and their spouses. This program is NOT a SCUBA certification course. It is designed to provide interested guardsmen and spouses with a short class, pool dive, and the opportunity to see if they would like SCUBA diving. After a short class on SCUBA gear and a safety briefing each SCUBA inexperienced diver will don SCUBA gear and will be accompanied by a SCUBA certified dive team member underwater.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR to attend the conference and don’t forget to register to Experience SCUBA!  Register NOW at … Register.

For more information, LTC(SC) Scott Malyerck at scott.malyerck@sg.sc.gov

SGAUS Chaplain Training Conference – Myrtle Beach, SC – September 21-23, 2017!

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Chaplain Training Conference

The SGAUS Chaplain School will commence in Myrtle Beach, SC, 21-24 September, 2017. There are eight 2 hour training sessions planned beginning Thursday, 21 September with a meet and greet at 1400 hours. This is an exciting time to be part of SGAUS, especially for Chaplains.

Our mission is to provide Support for the Living, Care for the Injured and Honor for the Dead. We accomplish this mission by training at the same level as our counterparts on active and reserve duty. Chaplains are being challenged as never before so the profile of future Chaplains is evolving to meet the demands of an ever-changing environment. Therefore, our objective is to be both theologically as well as psychologically trained and pre-pared. Our medical professionals have succeeded by healing the mind and body but not the soul. Until recently it was overlooked. The metaphysical combination of mind, body and spirit has to work in tandem for us to be fully functional. This has changed our view of training. We must attain and keep high standards to meet our future challenges.

SGAUS can and will lead the way of our nation in preparing and molding future Chaplains to meet and excel at any challenge. In that context, we will offer a variety of courses that will enhance Chaplain skill, knowledge and ability. A host of out-standing professionals from around the country will be teaching the classes this year. The following list of courses can be available at the Myrtle Beach, SC meeting. We invite all SGAUS Chaplains attending the annual conference to vote on courses you would like presented and in addition offer additional suggestions by contacting CPT Bill Griffin at william.griffin@sg.sc.gov.   Conference registration information will be published the first week in July.

Courses include but are not limited to: Moral Injury, Stress management, Secondary Trauma, Ministry Skills, Introduction to Chapel, Foundation of Chaplaincy, Ministry of Presence, Ministry of Purpose, Servant Leadership, Ethics and War, Privilege Communication, Ethical Boundaries, Military Funerals, Defining Chaplaincy, Theological Foundations, Legal Boundaries, etc.

This training will be concurrent to the SGAUS Annual Convention from September 21-24, 2017.  Register NOW at … Register.

POC for the SGAUS Chaplain Program is CH(LTC-SC) Donald Hayes, donald.hayes@sg.sc.gov

Login for more information about the SGAUS Chaplain Program … https://sgaus.org/sgaus-academy/chaplain-academy/

SGAUS JAG Training Conference – Myrtle Beach, SC – September 22, 2017!

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SGAUS JAG Qualification Badge Concept- color v1

Practicing Military Justice

If you are a licensed attorney and are interested in earning a JAG certification, the online portion of the SGAUS JAG Training Program, Practicing Military Justice, is now available through the SGAUS website. All active State Guard member attorneys that are commissioned officers at the time of successful completion of the Training Program’s online and in-person course requirements will be eligible to receive the SGAUS JAG Skills Qualification Badge. The next opportunity to complete this new program will be at the JAG Training Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC in September 2017.  Register NOW at … Register.

The SGAUS JAG Training Committee is capitalizing on its string of successful annual Training Academies by expanding its frequency to include a Training academy that corresponds with the SGAUS 2017 Annual conference in Myr-tle Beach, South Carolina in September 2017. State Guard JAG’s from multiple states, will converge upon the Embassy Suites for a MILOPS lectures and a rigorous trial advocacy skills practicum. Highly respected guest lecturers will talk on a variety of legal topics, including Cyber-Security and Anti-Terrorism. CLE credit is offered for most courses, but is not guaranteed for all attendees.

Beginning in 2016, SGAUS implemented a JAG Skills Qualification Program which is available to all State Guard JAGs who are active members of SGAUS. To become JAG skills certified, the participant must successfully complete all ten on-line training modules that are currently offered through the SGAUS PME Academy. Next, the participant must attend no less than 4 hours of MILOPS training that is offered at a SGAUS sanctioned event, such as the mid-year or annual conferences. Finally, the participant must demon-strate proficiency in a mock trial advocacy practicum, which are also offered at sanctioned SGAUS events. Successful candidates will be awarded a JAG Skills Qualification Certificate. As an alternative, JAG’s with documented prior Federal experience will be grandfathered into the Program.

All active SGAUS members who are also State Guard JAG’s are encouraged to earn their SGAUS JAG Skills Certificate. The JAG Skills Qualification Pro-gram point of contact is CPT (TX) Michael Parker, who can be reached at mrp@parkerllp.com, and Michael.r.parker@txsg.state.tx.us. CPT Parker can also be reached at his Ft. Worth, TX office: 817-442-9500. There is no charge for the on-line training modules, and the fee for attending the one-day JAG Training Academy is just $50. JAG Academy attendees are responsi-ble for their own transportation and lodging. Becoming JAG Skills Certified and attending the mid-year for annual conferences are the best possible ways for State Guard JAG’s to prove their value as force multipliers and to network with JAG’s from other states.

For more information about the JAG training program, please go to this link: https://sgaus.org/sgaus-academy/jag-academy/

U.S.Congressman Hugh Thompson ‘Tom” Rice Jr. Joins the South Carolina State Guard.

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SC

MAJ GEN Tom Mullikin, Commander of the South Carolina State Guard(SCSG). administered the oath of office to  U.S.Congressman Hugh Thompson ‘Tom” Rice Jr. who was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel on April 3, 2017 in the office of South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.  Prior to the sweating-in, Gov. McMaster said “The SC State Guard represents one more part of the strength and leadership of our state The collaboration between the State and National Guard Is very important.  It’s working and it has been proven.”

[Pictured L-R are Brig Gen (P) R Van McCarty, Deputy Adjutant General – Army, SC National Guard, MG Mullikin, Gov McMaster, Congressman (LTC) Rice, and COL Charles Muse a retired US Marine Corps Colonel who  today commands  the  SCSG’s 3rd Brigade.]

We’ll have more. In the meantime, please visit http://www.sg.sc.gov/ for information about how you too may become a member of the historic SC State Guard.  “Professionals serving South Carolina.”

SGAUS MEMS Conference – Myrtle Beach, SC – September 23, 2017!

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MEMS Program Update!

The MEMS Academy will be meeting at the 2017 SGAUS Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach, 21-24 September 2017.  Please engage us and participate.  Register NOW at … Register.  For 2018, we are planning to offer ICS-300, Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, from 20-22 April 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas.  This course is needed for those seeking a senior or master MEMS certification.

The 2017 Mid-Year Board meeting/conference is over and there will be a few revisions to the 2017 SGAUS MEMS Student Manual that were approved by the Board of Directors. The revisions are small in nature and there are no changes to the actual courses per prior agreement with the MEMS State Directors and Staff. As a reminder, IS 701 is discontinued and will be replaced in January 2018.
Some of the revisions are as follows: Reciprocity for FEMA employees wanting to join SGAUS and earn the MEMS badge; Practicum Time Limit of 18 months; Update to the Staff roster; prior Commandants of the MEMS Academy are now listed in Advisor Roles for the Academy.
MEMS, The Military Emergency Management Specialist certification, administered by SGAUS is not just for SDF soldiers. The MEMS program, started in 1998 is open to all SGAUS members, in uniform or not, SDF member or not. The program fully complies with current US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management system (NIMS), National Response Framework (NRF) and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5) and (PPD-5) requirements for emergency management personnel. The goal is to promote and advance the practice of emergency management. That goal remains the same for a SDF soldier, a National Guard soldier, a Civil Air Patrol cadet, or a local Volunteer Firefighters. As current MEMS specialists, talk about MEMS to your counterparts in other organizations and walks of life.
For more information and to access the updated State Director Roster, MEMS Student Manual, and MEMS application Click here –> SGAUS MEMS Program
As a reminder, SGAUS membership expiration date has replaced the membership number on the application.
Questions about the MEMS program should be directed to the State Directors or to the Chair of the SGAUS MEMS Academy, CSM(IN) Timothy White at Timwhite_sr@comcast.net