Interesting concept.

Wonder if any other states have a similar active organizational structure ?

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Nearly every state has laws authorizing state defense forces, and 22 states, plus Puerto Rico, have active SDFs with different levels of activity, support, and strength

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Defense_Force

Several do.
Recall that State National Guard units only 'belong' to the State only until Mobilized. That's why the left-hand tape on the TNG (and other States' NG) uniform reads "U.S. Army".

Which, conceivably, could leave a State with no uniformed military forces during a time of national emergency. Floods, Hurricanes, natural disasters not much caring if a nation has other irons in the fire.

According to the State Guard Association of the United States of America (in addition to Texas) Bop found only:

Alabama; Georgia; Maryland; New Jersey; New York: Ohio; South Carolina; Tennessee; Virginia and Washington.

Perhaps the others just don't belong to the SGA/USA ?


[This message has been edited by BeBopAg (edited 1/8/2012 2:43p).]

All of your questions about the Texas State Guard answered here:

http://www.txsg.state.tx.us/

There is a unit in Bryan that is always looking for a few good folks. Prior military experience not required, but those with prior duty enter at or above their last rank held. You CANNOT be sent overseas and only (extremely rarely) outside the state. Texas State Guard only answers to the Governor and not the President. Troops serve in an unpaid status unless activated for duty-then it's $121 a day before taxes. Your job is protected if you get called up (usually for hurricanes or other disasters)

Recruiting info: http://www.gotxsg.com/units.php?send_to_url=/join.php

[This message has been edited by Aggiefan54 (edited 1/8/2012 8:46p).]

AggieFan's post gives good info. The State Guard IS NOT the National Guard. They will not be mobilized into Federal Service. They provide support services under a military organization but are not and won't be combat troops.

OrdAg81...
Wonder if those "support services" might someday include Reconnaissance Duty on Tex/Mex Border ?

They've worked down in the valley but mostly medical/humanitarian missions. I don't see their mission morphing. They have no constitutional powers - Title 32 - like the guard does in executing state missions. So they could not even be involved in law enforcement i.e. crowd control.

Perhaps they might render initial humanitarian medical treatment to freshly captured illegal aliens in need.

"OrdAg81...
Wonder if those "support services" might someday include Reconnaissance Duty on Tex/Mex Border ?"

Texas State Guard is currently, and have been since 2007 engaged in intelligence gathering, classification and disbursement with Operation Border Star.

Not exactly recon, but very close.

"Back in the Day" it was said that if you were not from Texas, you could join the TSG and pay in-state tuition.

Other than that, the only thing I was aware of them doing was providing commissions to Aggie Band directors with no military experience.

Makes Bop want to throw-up to see the FTAB Director (Colonel in a TSG uniform) being saluted by a uniformed regular army, air force or naval officer of lesser rank.

Geeeez FTAB how low do we go ?

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Been that way for years. I don't have that much of a problem with it. Leadership wants a guy in uniform over the FTAB, that's how they accomplish it with an otherwise civilian director.

It's how BG Johnson got his rank. He retired from the Army as an LTC, was promoted to O-6 & BG in the Texas State Guard.

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Been that way for years. I don't have that much of a problem with it. Leadership wants a guy in uniform over the FTAB, that's how they accomplish it with an otherwise civilian director.

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Yep. Of all the previous directors, only Dunn, Adams, and Toler were ever regular military officers. Rhea, Joe T. Haney, and Joseph Holick were not. I believe Haney was drafted in the army for about a year, but was not an officer until he joined Adams as associate director in 1972 or so.

I wonder if you were complaining about Colonel Haney's uniform back then, Bop?

Wonder of Holick or Haney initiated a salute to Regular or Reserve officers below their TSG rank ?

Bob, I'm sure you understand that life isn't fair.

Is it any different than some week old butterbar being saluted by a 20+ year experenced sergent?

Military courtesy, you salute the rank not the individual in the uniform.

To avoid confusion TSG should ABSOLUTELY not wear the same identical uniform and military rank insignia as the Regular or Reserve U.S. Armed Forces.

Regular and Reserve Army troops should not salute scout masters or uniformed H.S. band directors regardless of their medals and supposed rank indicators.

Bop if that is the case, why should a D&C cadet salute anyone? He isn't an officer in training or an enlisted member of the military. In previous times, members of the militia were commissioned by the governor. Most purchased their rank based upon their position in the community w/o any military training.

I don't equate the director of the FTAB or a member of the State Guard with a scout master or high school band director. I have met many members of the State Guard that I respect tremendously. While I was mobilized in NOLA after Katrina, we had a Chaplain from the TSG attached to us who truly was serving for God and Country.

[This message has been edited by Bqaggie86 (edited 1/12/2012 11:52p).]

The Texas State Guard (Army Division) is required by the Adjutant General to wear the ACU uniform-the same one worn by regular, reserve and National Guard. Dress uniforms are transitioning to the new Army blue uniform. (Not many have dress uniforms)

The only difference is that a Texas Flag patch (subdued) is worn on the right shoulder in lieu of the US flag and the branch tape reads "Texas State Guard" instead of "US Army".

Those troops with combat zone service in the regular forces may wear their unit patch on the right arm-must be verified in their 201 file.

[This message has been edited by 1stRangersAg (edited 1/18/2012 9:41p).]

Ranger...
Hypothetically, say a medical doctor (with zero prior military experience) joins the TSG and "is given" the rank of TSG Major or TSG Lt. Colonel.
It's just not right for a Regular or Reserve Commissioned Officer (one of lesser rank - like a 2nd or 1st Lt., Capt. or Major) to initiate a salute to the TSG Lt. Col. (doctor).

NO COPY-CATING U.S. REGULAR OR RESERVE MILITARY...PERIOD !

PRIMARILY FOR RECOGNITION PURPOSES -
THERE NEEDS TO BE A DRASTIC CHANGE IN TSG UNIFORM AND TOTALLY DIFFERENT DESIGN OF RANK.

TSG membership has become significantly more than "Scout Troops". They have been highly involved in disaster response (hurricane, fire, flood) over the last few years. Many of these men and women take time off without pay in order to perform training. They have become the trainers in the State of Texas for ICS training of National Guard units.

While these people do get paid $121/day when they are mobilized, they receive no pay for regular drills or training. They purchase their own uniform and equipment while at the same time receiving no pay for the service they provide.

I don't have a problem rendering a salute to someone of higher rank than I in the TSG. They are not in my Chain of Command so I (nor anyone else on here) has to worry about orders from them.

WOW !!!
So a student FTAB member who is an enlisted Pvt, Specialist or NCO, while in the Texas Army National Guard or Active Army Reserve status (and in uniform) does not necessarily need to initiate a salute upon encountering a uniformed officer of the...TSG ?

Now that's VERY interesting (or awkward).

What a revolting development for both cadet and TNG officer. Hope it never happens.

[This message has been edited by 1stRangersAg (edited 1/18/2012 9:41p).]

Before home-game march-in's, hang-out around the FTAB/BQ dorm.

You just might be in for a few unusual surprises.

Regardless TSG is part of Texas Military Forces. Give respect to rank given. Not how they got there.

All this freakin out over nothing

quote:

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All this freakin out over nothing

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Welcome to TexAgs in general and BeBop posts in particular.

How can someone become a Captain or Colonel in the Texas State Guatd w/o prior military service or experience ?

Is there a merit badge system ?

[This message has been edited by BeBopAg (edited 1/13/2012 10:18p).]

I am a member of the Texas State Guard, if you have any questions.

Ric Clark (member of Texas State Guard)...O.K., ONCE MORE...

How can someone become a Captain or Colonel in the Texas State guard w/o prior military service or experience ?

Is there a Merit Badge (or some form of merit or accumulative point) system ?

Or, perhaps someone joining has a Masters or Ph.D. degree. Does that qualify for an instant commission to Capt. or Col. ?


[This message has been edited by BeBopAg (edited 1/15/2012 11:55a).]

I'm confused, do these guys (not prior service) actually have a commission?

I remember being entirely confused about these guys when BG Johnson was talking to me in his office one day. I couldn't stop staring at his red name tag.

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As a field grade officer, BG Rodriguez served as a Plans Officer for the 1st Cavalry Division, Executive Officer of the 312th Military Intelligence Battalion, Executive Officer of the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade, Professor of Military Science at the University of South Dakota, Intelligence Plans Officer for III Corps, Deputy Director of Strategic Plans and Policy for Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan, and Chief of War Plans for III Corps.

BG Rodriguez is a graduate of the US Army Airborne School, the US Army Air Assault School, the Armor Officer Basic Course (Cavalry), the Military Intelligence Officer's Advanced Course, the US Army Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the US Army Command & General Staff Officer School, and US Army School of Advanced Military Studies. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in History, a Master’s degree in Military Arts and Sciences and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.

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Not a bad resume. SAMS graduate as well. Guess CAVgrunt has something to look forward to.

97...
Yes, no prior service still allows for a commission in TSG.

Bop's query is HOW (specifically loop-hole HOW)?

this topic is idiotic, and that is saying something given what gets posted on the zoo or the general board.

Irish...

Just a simple question.

Without prior military experience, how can a degree, or specific skill, get you a commission in the TSG ?