Florida State Guard

Last updated
Florida State Guard
Flsg logo 500x500 white.png
Current Florida State Guard logo (As of June 2023).
Active1941–1947, 2022–present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
AllegianceFlag of Florida.svg  Florida
Type SDFBranchInsigniaColor.jpg   State defense force
Role State Defense Force
Size1500 authorized personnel
Garrison/HQSt Augustine, Florida
Nickname(s)FSG
Website https://www.floridastateguard.org/
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief Governor Ron DeSantis
DirectorCol. Mark Thieme [1]

The Florida State Guard (FSG) is the state defense force of the U.S. state of Florida. The FSG was created in 1941 to serve as a stateside replacement for the Florida National Guard while the National Guard was deployed abroad during World War II. The FSG is available to the governor of Florida whenever needed, but unlike the National Guard, the FSG is trained and funded by the state and therefore can not be federalized. [2] The FSG was reactivated in 2022 after the Florida legislature appropriated US$10 million in funding. [3]

Contents

Background

State defense forces are authorized by the federal government under Title 32, Section 109 of the United States Code. [4] Twenty-three states, as well as the territory of Puerto Rico, actively maintain these forces. [5] Florida law also allows the creation of a state defense force, either as a full-sized force when any part of the National Guard is federally deployed, or as a reserve cadre of officers and non-commissioned officers regardless of National Guard deployment. [2]

Original incarnation

Creation

The shoulder patch worn by Guardsmen during World War II. Florida State Guard Shoulder Patch.png
The shoulder patch worn by Guardsmen during World War II.

Before the United States entered World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted a peacetime draft, and federalized various National Guard units, including Florida's National Guard. [6] As a result, states which had previously counted on their National Guard to maintain peace, quell riots, protect against sabotage, or repel a potential invasion were given the alternative of creating their own state-level military forces under the State Guard Act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on October 21, 1940. [7] In 1941, the Florida Legislature and Governor Holland created Florida Defense Force, later to be rebranded as the Florida State Guard. [8]

The purpose of the state defense forces, including the FSG, was to fulfil the National Guard's state obligations. This included guarding infrastructure, protecting against sabotage, calming riots, or aiding law enforcement. Although the mainland United States was never invaded during World War II, state defenses would have shared responsibility with the federal military and National Guard in defending American territory had an invasion occurred.

During the war, the First Air Squadron of the FSG regularly patrolled the coast of Florida, searching for German U-boats. The squadron was also used to assist in search-and-rescue missions. [8]

Membership

Membership during WWII was open to all Florida men aged 18 to 60. The commitment lasted for three years, although members who were eligible could be drafted into the federal military at any time. [8] Most of the members were veterans of World War I. [9] Members of the Florida Defense Force's air wing, the First Air Squadron, were required to either have a private pilot's license or have served in the military at least one year. [8] By 1943, the Florida State Guard numbered 2,100 Florida men in 36 units. [10]

Organization

Each county was able to organize its own unit so long as it could recruit at minimum fifty Florida men who met the qualifications required by the state. [8] By 1943, there were 63 separate units of state guardsmen organized. The FSG also maintained a separate air squadron, known as the First Air Squadron. [10]

Equipment

Uniforms, surplus weapons, and other equipment were provided by the state of Florida. [8] Florida law also permitted the FSG to use National Guard armories and receive any surplus weapons and equipment offered by the Department of Defense. [2] The approximately 27 airplanes used by the First Air Squadron were privately owned by the fifteen individuals who piloted them; however, they were allowed to have "1st Air Squadron, Florida Defense Force" painted on both sides of the nose of each plane. [8]

Disbandment

The Florida State Guard was disbanded in 1947 after the Florida Army National Guard was released from Federal Active Duty. [8]

Modern Florida State Guard

Florida State Guard members preparing for Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. Florida State Guard (FSG) Pvt. Licata.jpg
Florida State Guard members preparing for Hurricane Idalia in August 2023.

On December 2, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis announced, in his $100 million budget for the Florida National Guard, that $3.5 million would be invested into reactivating the FSG. It would allow for training and equipment of up to 200 members. [11] In March 2022, Florida lawmakers proposed a budget which included $10 million for reactivating the Florida State Guard. The funding would allow for an enlistment of 400 enlisted troops and six full-time civilian employees. [3] The newly reactivated organization began soliciting applications from prospective employees in May 2022. [12] On July 1, 2023, the Florida legislature increased the size of the FSG to 1500 members. [13]

On June 14, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the reestablishment of the Florida State Guard as an emergency-focused civilian volunteer force and appointed retired Marine Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Graham as director. On June 30, 2023, 120 New FSG Guardsmen were graduated from the Basic Operational Orientation Training Camp (BOOT Camp) at Camp Blanding, marking the Inaugural class of 2023 of the Florida State Guard, the first in 75 years. [14]

In September 2023, the Florida State Guard was deployed in response to Hurricane Idalia and provided assistance by delivering aid at resource pods across North Florida — its first deployment since its deactivation following World War II. [15]

On December 18, 2023, Flagler County approved the construction of a $10 million site designed for the training of the Florida State Guard and other governmental services known as "The Florida State Guard Regional Training Facility". [16]

On February 1, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the deployment of the Florida State Guard to the southern border of Texas with Mexico to support Texan officials in handling illegal immigration. [17] In late February Director Mark Theime confirmed that 5 members of the Florida State Guard were deployed to Texas and that the deployment of up to a platoon of 30 members was being considered. [18]

On March 13, 2024, it was announced by Florida's Governor that the Florida State Guard would take part in their State's response to the events in Haiti along with other government forces, being deployed to Florida's Southern Coast. [19]

August 30, 2024 was marked as Florida State Guard Day, per Florida House Resolution 8027. [20]

On the 19th of September it was reported that the Florida State Guard plans to create a permanent air-base at Tallahassee International Airport. The plan for the State Force consists the construction of two hangers, an office, and accompanying military infrastructure. [21]

Uniform

Florida State Guardsmen currently wear Universal Camouflage Patterned Army Combat Uniforms (UCP-ACUs) as their primary working uniform. The Flag of Florida is worn on the right shoulder of the ACU, and the current Florida State Guard logo is worn as a patch on the left shoulder. The guardsman's surname or last name is on the right chest of the uniform, the name of the unit “FL State Guard”, is worn on the left chest, and the guardsman's rank is worn on the center of the chest. The Guardsman's last name and rank can also be seen on their hats also known as covers.

Florida State Guardsmen have also been seen wearing Tan T-shirts with black shorts. The T-shirts have either “State Guard” or “Florida State Guard” written on the back with black letters and has the Florida State Guard logo in black on the front. The shorts have the Florida State Guard logo on the front of them in white. [22]

Units

The Florida State Guard as of July 2024 is divided into ground, naval, air units along with special response and leadership groups. [23]

Facilities

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Guard (United States)</span> Military unit

The National Guard is a state-based military force that becomes part of the U.S. military's reserve components of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force when activated for federal missions. It is a military reserve 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. It is officially created under Congress's Article 1 Section 8 ability to "raise and support armies". All members of the National Guard are also members of the organized militia of the United States as defined by 10 U.S.C. § 246. National Guard units are under the dual control of state governments and the federal government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air National Guard</span> Air warfare component of the United States National Guard

The Air National Guard (ANG), also known as the Air Guard, is a federal military reserve force of the United States Air Force, as well as the air militia of each U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It, along with the Army National Guard component of each state, district, commonwealth or territory, makes up the National Guard of each region as applicable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Air National Guard</span> Unit of the US Air National Guard for the State of Illinois

The Illinois Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Illinois, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Illinois Army National Guard, an element of the Illinois National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State defense force</span> Military units under the sole control of a state government

In the United States, state defense forces (SDFs) 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Texas Air National Guard (TX ANG) is the aerial militia of the U.S. state of Texas. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and part of the Texas National Guard, alongside the Texas Army National Guard. No element of the Texas Air National Guard is under United States Air Force command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Texas through the office of the Texas Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Texas Air National Guard is headquartered at Camp Mabry, Austin, and its chief of staff is Brigadier General Matthew Barker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryland Defense Force</span> Military unit

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the state defense force for the state of Maryland. The MDDF is organized as a state military reserve organization organized parallel to the Maryland National Guard and is designed to augment the National Guard during stateside emergencies. However, as a state defense force, the MDDF is solely under control of the State of Maryland and cannot be federalized or deployed outside the borders of Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida National Guard</span> Military unit

The Florida National Guard is the National Guard force of the state of Florida. It comprises the Florida Army National Guard and the Florida Air National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia National Guard</span> Military unit

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nevada National Guard</span> U.S. National Guard component for the state of Nevada

The Nevada National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in Nevada. The governor of Nevada may call individuals or units of the Nevada National Guard into state service. The Constitution of the United States charges the National Guard of each state to support its dual federal and state missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the state of Florida

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">125th Fighter Wing</span> Florida Air National Guard unit

The 125th Fighter Wing is a unit of the Florida Air National Guard, stationed at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida. If activated to federal service with the United States Air Force, the 125 FW is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Utah Air National Guard (UT ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Utah, United States. It's a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Utah Army National Guard an element of the Utah National Guard of the larger United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massachusetts State Defense Force</span> Military unit

The Massachusetts State Defense Force (MSDF) is the currently inactive state defense force of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was inactivated in 2016 by Governor Charlie Baker. The purpose of the Massachusetts State Defense Force, when active, is to augment the Massachusetts National Guard during emergencies in the state, especially when some or all of the National Guard was deployed. The MSDF is an all-volunteer militia which reported to the State Adjutant General and was under the command of the Governor of Massachusetts. Members met for drills one weekend per month unless activated by the Governor during an emergency. The MSDF was headquartered at Milford, Massachusetts, in the same building as the Massachusetts National Guard. The director of the MSDF was appointed by the Adjutant General of Massachusetts (TAGMA). The Massachusetts State Defense Force is authorized by both the Constitution of Massachusetts and chapter 33 § 10 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Florida Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Florida. It is a reserve component of the United States Air Force and along with the Florida Army National Guard, an element of the Florida National Guard. It is also an element of the Air National Guard (ANG) at the national level, falling in with the Army National Guard (ARNG) as part of the greater United States National Guard under the National Guard Bureau (NGB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the state of Colorado

The Colorado National Guard consists of the Colorado Army National Guard and Colorado Air National Guard, forming the state of Colorado's component to the United States National Guard. Founded in 1860, the Colorado National Guard falls under the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">153rd Cavalry Regiment</span> Military unit

First Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment "Darkhorse" is an element of the Florida Army National Guard, headquartered in Panama City, Florida with units throughout the Panhandle. It was formerly 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry and officially converted to cavalry on 1 September 2007 when the 53rd Infantry Brigade converted from a "separate brigade" to the brigade combat team structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee State Guard</span> Military unit

The Tennessee State Guard (TNSG) is the state defense force of the state of Tennessee. The TNSG is organized as a military reserve force whose members drill once per month unless called to active duty. The TNSG is a branch of the Tennessee Military Department, alongside the Tennessee Army National Guard, the Tennessee Air National Guard, and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The State Guard acts as a force multiplier for the state's National Guard. As a state defense force, the Tennessee State Guard cannot be federalized, and is not deployed outside the borders of Tennessee, as it is a purely state-level unit. It answers solely to the Governor of Tennessee, unlike the dual federal and state controlled National Guard. The creation of a state military force is recognized under Tennessee Code Annotated 58-1-401.

The Nebraska State Guard (NSG) is the currently inactive state defense force of the state of Nebraska, which was activated during both World War II and the Vietnam War. As a state defense force, the NSG served on as a component of the organized militia of Nebraska, serving as reservists who trained periodically but could be called up during an emergency; however, unlike the Nebraska National Guard, the Nebraska State Guard could not be federalized or deployed outside the state. Rather, when the National Guard was deployed, the purpose of the State Guard was to assume the stateside duties of the National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Department of Military Affairs</span> Oversees the Florida National Guard and State Guard

The Florida Department of Military Affairs is a state agency of the state of Florida, which was created by Chapter 250, Florida Statutes. The department is responsible for providing management oversight and administrative support to the Florida National Guard. The two branches of the Florida National Guard, the Florida Army National Guard and the Florida Air National Guard, fall under the command of the state Adjutant General, an appointee of the Governor of Florida, and fall under the command of the Governor of Florida.

The United States Air Force's 203d RED HORSE squadron is an Air National Guard unit located at State Military Reservation, Virginia. RED HORSE is an acronym formed from "Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers"

References

  1. ↑ https://www.flgov.com/2023/10/27/governor-ron-desantis-announces-the-appointment-of-colonel-mark-thieme-as-the-director-of-the-florida-state-guard/#:~:text=TALLAHASSEE%2C%20Fla.,of%20the%20Florida%20State%20Guard.&text=Colonel%20Thieme%20is%20a%20veteran,over%2035%20years%20of%20service. Archived February 4, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 Delgado, Jason (10 March 2022). "Lawmakers unveil Florida State Guard guidelines". floridapolitics.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "32 U.S. Code § 109 – Maintenance of other troops". Legal Information Institute. Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Carafano, James Jay; Brinkerhoff, John R. (October 5, 2005). "Katrina's Forgotten Responders: State Defense Forces Play a Vital Role". www.heritage.org. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  5. ↑ Coles, David. "Florida National Guard During World War II". visitflorida.com. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  6. ↑ Bankus, Lieutenant Colonel Brent C. "Volunteer Military Organizations: An Overlooked Asset". The U.S. Army Official Website. Archived from the original on August 16, 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Civil Defense: Florida Defense Force". Palm Beach County History Online. Archived from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Weingarten, Abby (October 8, 2005). "Recalling the role of the Florida State Guard". Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, FL. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Floridians in Military Service; National Guard and State Guard". Museum of Florida History. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  10. ↑ McCain, Emily (December 2, 2021). "Gov. DeSantis seeks to reinstate Florida State Guard". WFTS-TV. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  11. ↑ Crooks, Nathan (31 May 2022). "Florida Posts Openings for State Guard That Democrats Call a 'Vigilante Militia'". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Section 251.001 - Florida State Guard Act, Fla. Stat. § 251.001 | Casetext Search + Citator".
  13. ↑ "Governor Ron DeSantis Unveils the Florida State Guard". flgov.com/. June 14, 2022. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024.
  14. ↑ Saunders, Forrest (5 September 2023). "Idalia landfall led to first deployment of Florida State Guard since end of WWII". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  15. ↑ Hanner, Ava (22 December 2023). "Florida State Guard training complex, multi-agency training facility coming to Flagler County". Observer. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  16. ↑ DeSantis deploys National, State Guard troops to Texas border amidst migrant surge, archived from the original on March 13, 2024, retrieved 2024-02-01
  17. ↑ Team, CBS Miami (2024-02-27). "Small number of Florida State Guard deployed to Texas to assist in border operations". CBS News. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  18. ↑ Bickerton, James (2024-03-13). "Ron DeSantis Deploys Florida State Guard to Stop Haitian Migrants". Newsweek. Newsweek. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  19. ↑ "House Bill 8027 (2024) - The Florida Senate". www.flsenate.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  20. 1 2 3 Otero, Arianna. "Florida State Guard looks to lease space at TLH for new air base". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  21. ↑ Mower, Lawrence (July 14, 2023). "Veterans quit DeSantis' Florida State Guard over militialike training". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Florida State Guard | About the Florida State Guard". FSG 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  23. ↑ "Florida State Guard | About the Florida State Guard". FSG 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  24. 1 2 "Florida State Guard | About the Florida State Guard". FSG 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  25. 1 2 "Florida State Guard | About the Florida State Guard". FSG 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  26. 1 2 "Florida State Guard | About the Florida State Guard". FSG 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  27. ↑ "Florida State Guard | About the Florida State Guard". FSG 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
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.