Laurel, MD – June 26, 2025 – State Defense Force (SDF) personnel are increasingly being recognized for their vital role in national security, a fact underscored by their prominent presence at the recent 2025 HammerCon. This exclusive conference, known as the premier gathering for Title 10 Cyber professionals, saw representatives from the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) and the Virginia Defense Force (VDF) make a significant impact, demonstrating the growing integration of SDFs with federal cyber counterparts.
HammerCon, held annually in close proximity to Washington D.C., draws a distinguished crowd, including top leadership from CyberCommand, Fort Meade, and various service branches and “three-letter” agencies. What began as a small assembly of a few dozen attendees has burgeoned into an event attracting hundreds of cyber leaders, highlighting its critical importance in the cyber domain.
The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) has been a consistent presence at HammerCon, supporting and exhibiting for three of its four years. This year, however, marked a notable shift. Lieutenant Colonel Barry R. Greene, NYG, Ret., President of SGAUS, spearheaded the SDF presence. Just two years ago, Greene represented SGAUS alone at a modest table. This year, the collaborative effort saw two SDFs—the MDDF and VDF—actively participating, with the VDF even manning a dedicated recruiting table.
“We could not have executed this better,” stated Greene. “Two SDFs, two different uniforms, and several VDF officers wore US Army, Navy, and Air Force decorations on their SDF uniforms demonstrating prior-service. Nothing could have built a better bridge with the Title 10 crowd than SDF personnel demonstrating ‘Life after DD-214.’”
Greene expressed pleasant surprise at the warm reception SDF personnel now receive within the organization. He noted that the SDF presence was “completely felt by all.” A two-minute summary video released by HammerCon at the end of the event further solidified this perception, with SDF uniforms prominently featured, leaving no doubt that SDF personnel are “in the fight.”
The conference also showcased the interconnectedness of the cyber community. Greene pointed out there were several familiar faces at the event, including competitors from previous years’ SGAUS Cyber Competitions, illustrating the “small world” of cyber professionals.
Greene emphasized the collective success of the SDF contingent. “Make no mistake, the MDDF / VDF contingent made ALL SDFs look really good to our federal counterparts.”
