The California State Guard (CASG) formerly the California State Military Reserve (CSMR) is the one of three branches of the Active Militia of the State.[11] The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security or natural disaster emergency to augment the California National Guard or when the National Guard is deployed. Its current mission is articulated in CA Military & Veteran's Code § 550:[12]
The United States National Guard, also commonly referred to as the National Guard, is part of the reserve components of the United States Armed Forces. It is a reserve military force composed of National Guard military members or units of each state and the territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, for a total of 54 separate organizations. All members of the National Guard of the United States are also members of the militia of the United States as defined by 10 U.S.C. § 246. National Guard units are under the dual control of the state and the federal government.
"... as the Governor may deem necessary to defend and for the security of this State ..."
For the 2012–2013 fiscal year, the CSMR had 1400 volunteers[13] and its expenditures were $620,000.[14]
The California State Military Reserve is authorized as a state defense force under the provisions of the Title 32, United States Code, Section 109(c)[15] and the California State Military Reserve Act (codified in the California Military and Veterans Code).[16] It is one of five components of the California Military Department[17] and has legal standing as part of California's Active Militia.[18]
The California Military Department is an agency defined under the California Military and Veterans code § 50. It includes the Office of the Adjutant General, the California National Guard, the California State Military Reserve, the California Cadet Corps, and the California Naval Militia.
Members and recruiting
The force consists of citizens or individuals who have begun their naturalization process, who possess a variety of skills, and many members are veterans of other branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as former members of the California Army and Air National Guard. All citizens over the age of 18 who are not felons and possess a high school diploma or GED are eligible to apply for membership, although military veterans and those with special skills which materially contribute to the CSMR's mission are preferred.
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field. A military veteran is a person who has served and is no longer serving in the armed forces. Those veterans that have had direct exposure to acts of military conflict may also be referred to as war veterans. A combat veteran is a person who has fought in combat during a war or a skirmish against a declared enemy and may still be serving in the military.
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States of America. It consists of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and forms military policy with the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), both federal executive departments, acting as the principal organs by which military policy is carried out. All five armed services are among the seven uniformed services of the United States.
The term felony originated from English common law, to describe an offense that resulted in the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods, to which additional punishments including capital punishment could be added. Other crimes were called misdemeanors. A felony is traditionally considered a crime of high seriousness, whereas a misdemeanor is regarded as less serious. A felon is a person who has committed a felony. Following conviction of a felony in a court of law, a person may be describe as a convicted felon.
Members are considered uncompensated State employees,[19] although when called to Emergency State Active Duty (ESAD), they become compensated employees at the same rate as National Guard members of the same rank.[20] Reimbursement may also be provided in limited circumstances for travel, billeting and meals when directly supporting a National Guard mission.
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth. In addition, CAP has recently been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed auxiliary service of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Congress established the USCG Aux on June 23, 1939, as the United States Coast Guard Reserve. On February 19, 1941, the organization was re-designated as the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Auxiliary exists to support all USCG missions except roles that require "direct" law enforcement or military engagement. As of 2018, there were approximately 24,000 members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice is the foundation of military law in the United States. It was established by the United States Congress in accordance with the authority given by the United States Constitution in Article I, Section 8, which provides that "The Congress shall have Power....To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval forces".
Training and qualifications
Prior service soldiers are likely to have a smooth transition into the CSMR. If the break in service is long (more than 6 years), the soldier may need an adjustment period while going through IET (see below) to come up to speed with modern Army and National Guard practices. Any MOS qualifications, ribbons, medals, badges, or awards earned in federal or state national guard service transfer directly; this includes "combat patches". Depending on the rank earned and length of time since separation, previously-held rank in those services also transfers.
CSMR Regulations require all soldiers to attend the Basic Orientation Course (BOC) which consists of basic military customs and courtesies and a general overview of the CSMR.[22] This is just a basic course spanning a few days at most. In addition to this, any soldier entering the CSMR in the southern region must attend an Initial Entry Training (IET) course through the 223d Training Support Regiment, Southern Detachment. This is a five-month course where soldiers report to a student chain of command that changes every month. They are given weekly homework and accountability tasks to strengthen unit cohesion and train soldiers on how to interact with the chain of command. Every month roles are switched around and new soldiers are assigned as squad leaders while soldiers completing Echo track (final phase) graduate and are released to their gaining units. During this five-month course they report for UTA at the Training Company IEP (Initial Entry Platoon). They are taught customs and courtesies in depth and practice drill and ceremony. This is as physical as it gets; the course is similar to federal boot camp curriculum and training without the physical component. Soldiers are required to maintain Army height and weight standards, but that is done on the soldier's own time. There is no CSMR equivalent to Advanced Individual Training (AIT): This is done on the unit level once the soldier arrives from IET.
Other schools are available to soldiers who want to promote in rank. These include NCOA (Noncommissioned Officer's Academy) which has three levels of courses: BLC (Basic Leadership Course: E4-E5), ALC (Advanced Leadership Course: E5-E6), and SLC (Senior Leadership Course: E7 and above). These courses are broken into 4 or 5 live-in phases at Camp San Luis Obispo for 3 days each. On the officer's side is OCS (Officer Candidate School) which is an intense, year-long course meeting 6 times at Camp San Luis Obispo for live-in phases of 4 days each. In both courses, work is done on-site and during the interim.
While prior service soldiers retain any MOSq obtained previously, non-prior-service soldiers have no MOS qualification. When Army Knowledge Online (AKO) accounts were available, CSMR soldiers could take courses and become MOSq in select MOS's however at the moment there is no AKO replacement for non-prior soldiers to obtain an MOS. Most of the time the soldier has civilian qualifications that meet or exceed Army standard for a particular MOS and they are used as Subject Matter Experts (SME) to train their national guard counterparts. An example of this is the Small Arms Training Team (SATT) which is responsible for small arms training for the California National Guard.
Units
Sgt. Tien Quach, left, the California State Military Reserve, and Sgt. Jason Roldan load equipment into an Incident Commander's Command, Control and Communications Unit (IC4U).Members of the California State Military Reserve perform squad drills.California State Military Reserve officer candidates wait to be commissioned as officers.WO1 Joshua Zollo, a firefighter who serves with Alpha Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, Regional Support Command North, California State Military Reserve, checks under the hood of a Humvee.California State Military Reserve Staff Sgt. Andrew Cater, the acting first sergeant of Alpha Company, Northern Regional Support Command, participates in a crowd control class.CSMR Soldiers board a Los Angeles Port Police dive support ship for a waterfront tour.A member of the California State Military Reserve 26th Cavalry Support Regiment marches in the 58th Annual Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade. California State Military Reserve Spc. Juan Ossa, of the Installation Support Command, talks with a truck driver delivering supplies to an emergency supply staging area.
As of 1 AUG 2016, the California State Military Reserve has been reorganized. Most units have now been directly embedded with and placed under the operational control of National Guard units throughout the state. The current organization is as follows:[23]
Headquarters, California State Military Reserve
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD)
J1 (Administration and Personnel )
J3 (Operations)
J4 (Logistics)
J5 (Plans)
J6 (IT and Communications)
J9 (Directorate)
Provost Marshal
Recruiting
Trial Defense
Band
40th Support Command
79th Support Brigade
100th Support Command
224th Support Brigade
Special Operations Support Detachment
49th Support Brigade
143rd MP Support Battalion
185th MP Support Detachment
579th Engineer Support Detachment
223rd Training Regiment
Aviation Support Brigade
Center for Military Heritage
North
South
Chaplain Command
Joint Task Force, Air
115th Support Group
129th Support Group
144th Support Group
146th Support Group
163rd Support Group
195th Support Group
Installation Support Command
Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos
Camp Roberts
Camp San Luis Obispo
Legal Support Command
Maritime Command
MARCOM Headquarters
Maritime Coastal Command ONE
Maritime Littoral Command TWO
Maritime Cyber Detachment THREE
Maritime Coastal Command FIVE
Medical Command
North
South
Youth and Community Programs
The old command structure prior to August 2016 is gone but was as follows:
Headquarters, California State Military Reserve
Headquarters Company
State Surgeon Office
Chaplain's Office
Staff Judge Advocate Section
Provost Marshal's Office
Regional Support Command - North
1st Task Force
2nd Task Force
1st Special Troops Battalion
2nd Special Troops Battalion
Detachment #3, Small Arms Training Team, Camp Roberts CA
Regional Support Command - South
1st Brigade (Army Support)
1st Battalion (Army Support)
Alpha Company (Moreno Valley)
Bravo Company (Azusa)
2nd Battalion - JFTB Los Alamitos
Headquarters Company (HHC)
Alpha Company (Search and Rescue)
Bravo Company (Hazmat)
1st Signal Support Company (Signal/IC4U)
3rd Battalion (San Diego)
2nd Brigade (Civil Support)
1st Battalion - JFTB Los Alamitos
2nd Battalion - Kearny Mesa
Installation Support Command
ISC, Camp San Luis Obispo
ISC, Camp Roberts
ISC, JFTB Los Alamitos
Military Heritage Command
Museum Support Unit
Military History Unit
1st Field History Unit (North)
2nd Field History Unit (Central)
3rd Field History Unit (South)
Troop Command
Recruiting Task Force - North
Recruiting Task Force - Central
Recruiting Task Force - South
Inactive Reserve Control Group
Trial Defense Service Augmentation Detachment
Training Battalion - Youth Programs
Detachment A – CSLO
Detachment B – Los Alamitos
Detachment C – Oakland
Detachment D – California Cadet Corps Support
Headquarters, Air Support Command
ASD – 129th RW Support Unit
ASD – 144th FW Support Unit
ASD – 146th AW Support Unit
ASD – 162nd CC Support Unit
ASD – 163rd RW Support Unit
Federal activation
Like other state defense forces, CSMR members are generally not susceptible to federal activation. However, 10 USC 331-333 may grant powers to the federal government to call up the CSMR,[24][25] because militia is defined as both organized (National Guard) and unorganized under 10 USC 311(b).[26] In addition, Article II, Section II of the United States Constitution further states:
"The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States"[27]
Duties
The CSMR accomplishes its Homeland Security Mission by providing individual soldiers and airmen as well as rapid response teams to Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) missions in the preparation, prevention, deterrence, preemption, defense, and mitigation of natural and man-made threats to California.
Members of the CSMR are required to serve a minimum of 100 hours annually. Part of that time is spent at Unit Training Assemblies (drills or meetings) which are usually eight to twelve hours on one Saturday each month. Many units require 2-day drills or more depending on their mission. These drills are used for training sessions, activity coordination, and to work with their National Guard counterparts. CSMR soldiers embedded with National Guard units for training purposes will drill the full weekend - or longer - with their National Guard counterparts.
Uniforms
CSMR Soldiers of the Army Component wear the standard Army Service Uniform (ASU Class A and Class B) and Mess Dress for formal occasions, as well as the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), OEF (Multicam) and OCP Scorpion utility uniform. Wear out date for the ACU is the same as the Army National Guard. CSMR airmen of the Air Component wear the standard U.S. Air Force Service Dress and Mess Dress uniforms, as well as the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) utilities. MARSCOM Sailors wear uniforms similar to USN NWU Type III, referred to as MWU (Maritime Working Uniform). All uniforms have distinctive state insignia designating them as a member of the California State Military Reserve. This includes the buttons on the ASU, which are the same as worn by the California Highway Patrol on its dress uniforms, a unique beret flash, and a name badge indicating the wearer is a member of the "CA State Military Reserve". Utility uniform nametapes bear the word "California" rather than "U.S. Army" or "U.S. Air Force". Unlike most SDFs, CSMR personnel wear the U.S. Flag on their right shoulder (Army component wear "Flag forward"). Combat patches are worn on the right shoulder. A unique CA unit patch is worn on the left shoulder. Awards and decorations earned from prior service in other branches of the military may be worn, so it is not unusual to see a CSMR Soldier wearing "water wings" earned while on Active Duty in the USN, and ribbons and decorations earned in other branches. CSMR also has its own unique awards and decorations. All officers and enlisted members are responsible for purchasing their uniforms and accessories. This could require an initial investment of $300 or more for utility uniforms, boots and accessories. Purchase of an ASU, rucksack, LBE, etc. adds substantially to the cost. A yearly $125 uniform allowance has been authorized for all CSMR Soldiers and Airmen who have maintained 100% attendance in a twelve-month period. [28]
The Center for Military History has a Distinctive Unit Insignia which is worn by members. Legal Support Command wears the DUI for JAG.
The California Military and Veterans Code also provides for a naval branch.[29] The California Naval Militia was founded in 1891 and grew to have many ships and sailors at statewide ports, from San Diego to Eureka. It provided officers and sailors to the U.S. Navy during the Spanish–American War and World War I.[30] The California Naval Militia was reactivated in 1976 by the Governor of California.[31][32] Unlike New York and the few other states with ship-borne active naval militia units, the California Naval Militia is a small unit of military lawyers and strategists who provide advice and legal expertise in the field of military and naval matters for the benefit of California's state defense force. It has not been a branch of the California state militia since it was mustered into the Navy during World War I.[33]
Effective 1 October 2015, California approved the process of reactivating and standing up the Naval Militia. Initially it will take the form of the Maritime Support Element per TAG policy memorandum dated 15 January 2016, a component of CSMR (like the Maritime Regiment of the Texas State Guard) instead of a separate Branch like the New York and Ohio Naval Militias.[citation needed]
On 18 March 2017, the California State Military Reserve established the Maritime Support Command (MARSCOM) under the command of CAPT (CA) M. Hanson, with SCPO (CA) E. Anderson as the MARSCOM Senior Enlisted Advisor, in a ceremony aboard the USS Hornet.[34]
Emergency Service
2019
So far in 2019 CSMR service members have been activated to assist evacuation and rescue operation during the Russian River High Water Incident in Guerneville.
2018 Camp Fire
CSMR service members were again activated Emergency State Active Duty (ESAD) to assist firefighting, support, relief, and shelter operations during the Camp Fire in Butte County.
2017 Wildfires
Service members of the CSMR were activated on Emergency State Active Duty (ESAD) orders to assist firefighting, support, and relief operations during the Mendocino Complex and again during the Carr Fire.
Winter Storms 2016
California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Mudslides (DR-4308)
Incident Period: February 01, 2017 - February 23, 2017 Major Disaster Declaration declared on April 01, 2017
Operation Lightning Strike
The CSMR took an active and vital role in the 2008 Operation Lightning Strike, when Governor Schwarzenegger called on over 2,000 troops from the California Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and SMR to help overwhelmed firefighters fight statewide wildfires.[35]
Operation Fall Blaze
A past large-scale operation of the CSMR was during Operation Fall Blaze in October/November 2007, where over 100 citizen soldiers of the CSMR were integrated with their National Guard counterparts to help firefighters fight the California wildfires.
In popular culture
In the 2007 comedy movie Delta Farce, about a group of misfit reservists who think they are in Iraq when they are really in Mexico, the CSMR is alluded to when the characters played by Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy say, "We're just State Military Reserves" "Yeah, SMURFS!".
California Military Academy—an unrelated military training academy run by the California Army National Guard
Related Research Articles
State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government. State defense forces are authorized by state and federal law and are under the command of the governor of each state.
United States special operations forces (SOF) are components of the Department of Defense's United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
The Virginia Defense Force (VDF) is the official state defense force of Virginia, one of the three components of Virginia's state military along with the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Air National Guard; with a current roster of over 300 soldiers. The VDF is the descendant of the Virginia State Guard, the Virginia Regiment, and even earlier the Colonial Militia of the Virginia Colony.
The Florida National Guard is the National Guard force of the U.S. state of Florida. It comprises the Florida Army National Guard and the Florida Air National Guard.
The Georgia National Guard is the National Guard of the U.S. state of Georgia, and consists of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. The state functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of martial law when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control.
The Florida Army National Guard is Florida's component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. In the United States, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the federal army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. Federal coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau. The Florida Army National Guard was composed of approximately 10,000 soldiers. The main state training grounds is Camp Blanding.
The California Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. State of California. It is, along with the California Army National Guard, an element of the California National Guard.
The Texas State Guard (TXSG) is the State Defense Force of Texas, and is one of three branches of the Texas Military Forces. Along with the other two branches, the TXSG falls under the command of the Governor of Texas and is administered by the Texas Adjutant General, an appointee of the Governor. The other two branches of the Texas Military Forces are the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. Members of the Texas State Guard are not members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Alaska Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Along with the Alaska Air National Guard, it makes up the Alaska National Guard. Alaska Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The Alaska Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Alaska.
The California Army National Guard is the land force component of the California National Guard, one of the reserve components of the United States Army and is part of the National Guard of the United States. The California Army National Guard is composed of 18,450 soldiers. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau. Due to the non-exclusive, non-rival nature of the Army National Guard and U.S. military as a whole, the California Army National Guard operates as a public good.
The Colorado Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.
The Delaware Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.
The South Carolina Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the U.S. Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units is maintained through the National Guard Bureau.
The Texas Military Forces is the three-branch military of the U.S. state of Texas. It is composed of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, and the Texas State Guard. All three branches are administered by the state adjutant general, an appointee of the Texas governor, and fall under the command of the governor.
The Indiana Guard Reserve, formerly the Liberty Guard and the Indiana Legion, is the state defense force of the state of Indiana. The Indiana Guard Reserve serves under the exclusive authority of the governor of the State of Indiana through his executive agent for military matters, The Adjutant General of Indiana. The Guard Reserve is a unique military organization designed to supplement the Indiana National Guard and to defend Indiana if any part of the Indiana National Guard is in active federal service. The Indiana Guard Reserve also provides MEMS qualified soldiers who can augment Indiana Homeland Security missions and County Emergency Operations activities.
The South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) is the designated state defense force for the state of South Carolina. Its official website is www.sg.sc.gov.
The Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) is the land force militia for the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It operates under Title 10 and Title 32 of the United States Code and operates under the command of the state governor while not in federal service. National Guard units may function under arms in a state status, therefore they may be called up for active duty by the governor to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, or civil unrest.
The Maine Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau. The Guard is administered by the adjutant general, an appointee of the governor of Maine. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. Those functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of martial law when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control.
The Minnesota Naval Militia is the currently inactive naval militia of Minnesota. As a naval militia, the Minnesota Naval Militia served as a Navy and Marine Corps parallel to the National Guard, where, like the soldiers of the Army National Guard and the airmen of the Air National Guard, sailors and marines could serve in a dual federal and state role as state military forces answerable to the governor, unless federalized and deployed by the federal government. The naval militia served as an active component of the organized militia from 1903 until the end of World War II.
↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2009-02-28.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link) CNG Operation Lightning Strike Begins
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
