Maryland Defense Force

Last updated
Maryland Defense Force
Maryland Defense Force.jpg
Distinctive unit insignia
Active1917–1920
1941–1947
1983–present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
AllegianceFlag of Maryland.svg  Maryland
Type SDFBranchInsigniaColor.jpg   State defense force
Part of Maryland Military Department
Headquarters Reisterstown, Maryland
Motto(s)Officio Vocante Parati (Ready When Called) [1]
Website military.maryland.gov/mddf/
Commanders
Governor of the State of Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Adjutant General of the State of Maryland Major General Janeen L. Birckhead
Commanding General, Maryland Defense Force Brigadier General (MDDF) Gregory Juday
Insignia
Beret flash of the Maryland Defense Force Maryland Defense Force Beret Flash.svg

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) [2] 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. [3]

Contents

History

20th century

The history of the MDDF dates back to colonial days in the 17th century, [4] but it was formally established in 1917 with the mission "to protect public buildings, water supplies, and other properties". It was called the Maryland State Guard. It was disbanded in 1920 to make room for the National Guard to return to duties in the armories.

Maryland Defense Forces and Maryland Army National Guard participate in a multi-agency disaster exercise at Towson University. Maryland Defense Force Exercise.jpg
Maryland Defense Forces and Maryland Army National Guard participate in a multi-agency disaster exercise at Towson University.

The Maryland State Guard was reactivated in 1939 in response to World War II. It was then deactivated in 1947. [5] As of 1983, the Maryland State Guard was reactivated and renamed the Maryland Defense Force. In 1994, the Maryland Defense Force's missions were expanded to search and rescue, armory staffing, and disaster relief. As of September 11, 2001, the Maryland Defense Force was tasked with its current mission, which is to provide support to the Maryland Military Department as needed.

21st century

In August 2005, members of the 10th Medical Regiment, including civilian medical professionals who were sworn into the MDDF on the tarmac of Martin State Airport, departed for Louisiana in two C130 cargo planes operated by the Maryland Air National Guard to provide medical treatment to approximately 6,300 hurricane victims over eighteen days as an operation called Operation Lifeline. [6] [7]

In 2006, members of the 10th Medical Regiment, despite not being subject to deployment outside the State of Maryland, voluntarily deployed with the 175th Medical Group of the Maryland Air National Guard to Bosnia and Herzegovina as a part of a training exercise where the 10th Medical Regiment assisted in providing medical aid to the local populace. [8]

In September 2007, the MDDF participated with the National Guard for Exercise Vigilant Guard, a major homeland security/terrorist response exercise held in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. [9] [10]

In June 2012, the MDDF provided food and water to residents of Baltimore during the heat emergency. [11]

During the 2015 Baltimore riots, members of the Maryland Defense Force, including members of the 10th Medical Brigade as well as logistical support personnel and military chaplains, deployed alongside the Maryland Army National Guard in support of their mission. [12]

The Code of Maryland guarantees that members of the Maryland Defense Force who are called to active duty or training are entitled to a leave of absence, and full reemployment rights after their deployment ends. This is only for Maryland State employees. Members of MDDF are also covered by Maryland workers compensation where actively deployed by the Maryland Governor.

Units

The Maryland Defense Force Band plays at the State Defense Force conference in October 2015. Maryland Defense Force Band plays at the State Defense Force Conference.jpg
The Maryland Defense Force Band plays at the State Defense Force conference in October 2015.

Maryland Defense Force Band

The Maryland Defense Force Band provides back up support for the 229th Army Band of the Maryland Army National Guard. [13] The MDDF band plays in military ceremonies, concerts, and receptions organized by the Maryland Military Department. [14] The band includes wind, brass, and percussion instruments. [15]

Cavalry Troop A

Cavalry Troop A, the ceremonial cavalry unit of the Maryland Military Department, was established January 8, 2004. [16] The troop acts in a ceremonial and public relations role as a recruiting aid for both the MDDF and the Maryland National Guard. [17] Training for Troop A includes mounted cavalry drill, equitation or skill-at-arms on horseback or dismounted drill and ceremony and basic military customs and courtesies. [18] This unit was deactivated, but as of 2023, is in the process of reactivating.

Chaplain Corps

The MDDF Chaplain Corps includes ordained ministers, staff assistants, and chaplain assistants who provide spiritual support for members of the MDDF, the Maryland National Guard, their families, and in times of emergency, civilians. [19] The Chaplain Corps can be called upon to perform religious rites or sacraments when deployed. Chaplains are required be ordained ministers of their faith, in good standing with their church, and must meet secondary education requirements. On top of certification requirements, chaplains must have passed MDDF Basic Training and courses in MDDF-specific Chaplain duties. [20] [21]

256th Cyber Defense Unit

The 256th Cyber Defense Unit (CDU) was created in 2010 to supplement the cyber teams of the Maryland National Guard. Its mission statement includes providing support to the Maryland Military Department, improving the security stance of the State of Maryland agencies and being prepared to respond with the Maryland Military Department in case of a cyber emergency. In order to complete this mission, the MDDF Cyber Security Unit regularly trains with the Maryland Army & Air National Guard. In addition, they participate in numerous joint training exercises with members of the Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Army National Guard and various state agencies. [22]
The 256th CDU consists of five sections: Headquarters, Hunt Operations, Incident Response and Recovery (IRR), Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) & IT Operations

121st Engineer Regiment

The 121st Engineer Regiment acts as a rapid relief engineering unit intended to deploy after an emergency to aid the Maryland Military Department in civil relief efforts. [23] Since 2009, the 121st Engineer Regiment has conducted all of the inspections of state military facilities across Maryland for the Maryland Army National Guard. [24]

Maryland Emergency Engineering Response Team (MEERT)

The Maryland Emergency Engineering Response Team is a unit of graduate engineers, most of whom are licensed professional Maryland engineers, organized to work closely with both the Maryland Army National Guard and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). [23]

Finance Corps

The Finance Corps of the MDDF is composed of licensed financial consultants, advisers, and civilian energy managers. The mission of the Finance Corps is to provide the following:

Judge Advocate Corps

The Judge Advocate Corps (JAC) of the MDDF is composed of licensed attorneys. [25] [26]

10th Medical Regiment

A Maryland National Guardsman and a Maryland State Guardsman teach nursing students proper evacuation procedures at Towson University. Maryland Defense Force Exercise II.jpg
A Maryland National Guardsman and a Maryland State Guardsman teach nursing students proper evacuation procedures at Towson University.

The 10th Medical Regiment is the medical arm of the MDDF and is registered with the Office of the Surgeon General as a Medical Reserve Corps unit. The mission of the regiment is to provide emergency surge capacity support to civil authorities during an emergency. [27] Unlike other MDDF guardsmen, members of the 10th Medical Regiment are allowed to serve in backup status and attend only an annual muster one day per year. [28]

In August 2005, on a purely voluntary basis as state guardsmen cannot be ordered to deploy outside the state of Maryland, members of the 10th Medical Regiment provided medical service to approximately 6,300 Hurricane Katrina victims over an eighteen-day period as a part of Operation Lifeline. [6] [29] [30] Included in those deployed were civilian medical professionals who, despite a willingness to volunteer in providing medical care for hurricane victims, had no means of deployment into the emergency zone as civilians. These medical volunteers were inducted into the MDDF on the tarmac of Martin State Airport. [31] As members of the MDDF, these volunteers received military transport, worker's compensation eligibility, and liability protection under Maryland law. [6] Over 100 of those sworn in with the purpose of taking part in Operation Lifeline elected to remain members of the MDDF following deployment. [31] Operation Lifeline, with only 250 MDDF volunteers lasted for 18 days and aided 6,300 patients. [8]

In 2006, volunteers from the 10th Medical Regiment deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina alongside the 175th Medical Group of the Air National Guard to provide medical care for locals as a part of a training mission. [8] [32]

Pioneer Detachment

The Pioneer Detachment, which was based at Anne Arundel Community College, was a student-run detachment whose members were assigned cyber-security, medical, engineering, and force protection responsibilities. [33]

231st Troop Command

The MDDF Troop Command assigns members and units of the MDDF to work in tandem with the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, and Maryland Emergency Management Agency. [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State defense force</span> Military units under the sole control of U.S. States 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">29th Infantry Division (United States)</span> US Army National Guard formation

The 29th Infantry Division, also known as the "Blue and Gray Division", is an infantry division of the United States Army based at Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia. The division is currently a formation of the Army National Guard and includes units from Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckley Space Force Base</span> US Space Force base in Aurora, Colorado

Buckley Space Force Base is a United States Space Force base in Aurora, Colorado named after United States Army Air Service First Lieutenant John Harold Buckley. The base is run by Space Base Delta 2, with major units including the U.S. Space Force's Space Delta 4, the Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing, the Denver Naval Operations Support Center, and the National Reconnaissance Office's Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Military District of Washington</span> US Army command

The United States Army Military District of Washington (MDW) is one of nineteen major commands of the United States Army. Its headquarters are located at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. The missions of the units in the Military District of Washington include ceremonial tasks as well as a combat role in the defense of the National Capital Region.

The Baltimore riot of 1968 was a period of civil unrest that lasted from April 6 to April 14, 1968, in Baltimore. The uprising included crowds filling the streets, burning and looting local businesses, and confronting the police and national guard.

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

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 which includes the Virginia Army National Guard, the Virginia Air National Guard, and the unorganized militia. As of 2023, the VDF has approximately 275 personnel. The VDF is the descendant of the Virginia State Guard, the Virginia Regiment, and ultimately the Colonial Virginia militia of the Virginia Colony.

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

The Georgia State Defense Force is a professionally trained, volunteer component of the Georgia Department of Defense, serving in support of the national and state constitutions under direction of the governor and the adjutant general of Georgia. As a State Defense Force (SDF), the GSDF serves alongside the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia 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">Missouri National Guard</span> Military unit

The Missouri National Guard (MONG), commonly known as the Missouri Guard, is a component of the Army National Guard and Missouri State Department of the National Guard. It is composed of Army and Air National Guard units. The Department office is located in Jefferson City.

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

The Washington National Guard is one of the four elements of the State of Washington's Washington Military Department and a component of the National Guard of the United States. It is headquartered at Camp Murray, Washington and is defined by its state and federal mission. At the call of the Governor, the Washington National Guard will mobilize and deploy during times of state emergency to augment local jurisdictions and responders in their efforts to protect lives and property. The Washington National Guard is also subject to the call of the President of the United States to serve as part of the total U.S. Military force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the U.S. state of New York

The New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the United States 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.

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

The Virginia Army National Guard is composed of approximately 7000 soldiers and maintains 46 armories in communities throughout Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Military Department</span>

The Oregon Military Department is an agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon, which oversees the armed forces of the state of Oregon. Under the authority and direction of the governor as commander-in-chief, the agency is responsible for planning, establishing, and enforcing rules and procedures governing the administration, supply, and training of the Oregon National Guard, when not in the active service of the United States. The Department also maintains all state-owned or leased military facilities, including posts, camps, military reservations, and rifle ranges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryland Army National Guard</span> American military unit, founded 1634

The Maryland Army National Guard is the United States Army component of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is headquartered at the old Fifth Regiment Armory at the intersection of North Howard Street, 29th Division Street, near Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Baltimore and has additional units assigned and quartered at several regional armories, bases/camps and other facilities across the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Guard Reserve</span> State defense force of Indiana

The Indiana Guard Reserve (INGR), 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.

<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">Maryland Air National Guard</span> Military unit

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

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

The New Mexico State Defense Force (NMSDF), formerly the New Mexico State Guard (NMSG), is part of the armed forces of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is a reserve military force that works parallel to the state's National Guard. Authorized under the constitutions of the United States and New Mexico, the NMSDF is organized as an internal security and emergency services reserve force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the United States Army</span>

The structure of the United States Army is complex, and can be interpreted in several different ways: active/reserve, operational/administrative, and branches/functional areas.

<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.

References

  1. ↑ Smalkin, Frederic N. (2007). Ready When Called. Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. p. 3.
  2. ↑ "MDDF". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Wiles, C. E. & Nelson, H. W. (2009). ‘The National Guard for the National Guard:’ State Defense Force medical support for the National Guard” [Guest Editorial] Military Medicine. 174(4), xii.
  4. ↑ Erlandson, Robert A. (October 19, 1996). "Maryland Defense Force under attack". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "History of the MDDF". Military Department - Maryland Defense Force. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  6. 1 2 3 Colgan, LTC Richard; Davis, Maj. Kisha; Barish, Col. Robert A. (2006). "Operation Lifeline: Health Care Professionals from Maryland Respond to Hurricane Katrina" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center . Archived (PDF) from the original on May 7, 2021.
  7. ↑ Carafano, James Jay; Brinkerhoff, John R. (October 5, 2005). "Katrina's Forgotten Responders: State Defense Forces Play a Vital Role". www.heritage.org. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 "The Forgotten Front" (PDF). Maryland Military Department. Fall 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  9. ↑ Hastings, Robert; Henry, Kristine (2007). "Maryland Defense Force Joins National Guard for Major Homeland Security/Terrorist Response Exercise". Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. p. 5. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  10. ↑ Wiles, C. E. & Nelson, H. W. (2009). ‘The National Guard for the National Guard:’ State Defense Force medical support for the National Guard” [Guest Editorial] Military Medicine. 174(4), xii.
  11. ↑ Conner, Cheryl (7 July 2012). "The Maryland Defense Force delivers water and food to people without power". ABC Baltimore. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  12. ↑ Fischer, Bryan (8 May 2015). "Maryland Defense Force Rallies for Baltimore". Maryland Defense Force Official Website. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "MARYLAND DEFENSE FORCE BAND TO PERFORM AT THE B AND O RAILROAD MUSEUM". Baltimore Patch. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "Maryland Defense Force Band". Official Maryland Defense Force Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  15. ↑ "Maryland Defense Force Band Flyer" (PDF). Official Maryland Defense Force Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Roberts, Ron (2007). "An Overview of the Employment of Cavalry in History, with an Emphasis on the State Defense Force of the United States of America in the 21st Century" (PDF). Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. p. 11.
  17. ↑ Roberts, Rob. Maryland Defense Force Cavalry Troop A. Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. p. 7. OCLC   402368247.
  18. ↑ "Cavalry Troop A". Official Maryland Defense Force Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  19. ↑ Miller, Lori Samlin (14 October 2013). "Chassidic Chaplain in Maryland Promoted to Major". chabad.org. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  20. ↑ "Chaplain Corps". Maryland Defense Force Official Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  21. ↑ Wiles, C. E. & Nelson, H. W. (2009). ‘The National Guard for the National Guard:’ State Defense Force medical support for the National Guard” Military Medicine. 174(4), xii.
  22. ↑ Ohlmacher, LTC (MDDF) Jane (30 September 2014). "MDDF Cyber Security Unit Helps Defend Maryland from Attack". Maryland Defense Force Official Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  23. 1 2 "Maryland Defense Force 121st Engineer Regiment". Maryland Defense Force Official Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  24. ↑ Brian R Kelm; Martin Hershkowitz (2007). "Maryland Defense Force Establishes an Engineer Capability" (PDF). Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. p. 11.
  25. ↑ TOUSIGNANT, KRISTI (6 October 2013). "Volunteer Corps Of Lawyers Helps Service Members". CBS Baltimore. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  26. ↑ "Judge Advocate Corps". Maryland Defense Force Official Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  27. ↑ Nelson, H.W. "Expanding Support Roles for 10th Medical Regiment: Pre and Post Health Screenings of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen" (PDF). Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  28. ↑ "10th Medical Regiment". Maryland Defense Force Official Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  29. ↑ Hershkowitz, Martin (2006). "Available State Defense Force After Action Reports from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Deployments" (PDF). Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. p. 6.
  30. ↑ H W Nelson; Robert Barish; Frederic Smalkin; James Doyle; Martin Hershkowitz (2006). "Developing Vibrant State Defense Forces: A Successful Medical and Health Service Model". Ft. Belvoir : Defense Technical Information Center. p. 22. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015.
  31. 1 2 Zuckerman, Jessica; Hershkowitz, Col. Martin; Smalkin, BG Frederick N.; Carafano, James Jay. "Why More States Should Establish State Defense Forces". The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  32. ↑ Colonel (MD) Martin Hershkowitz and Colonel (MD) H. Wayne Nelson (2007). Maryland Defense Force 10th Medical Regiment: Past, Present and Future. State Defense Force Journal.
  33. ↑ "Anne Arundel Community College Student Run Detachment" (PDF). State Guard Association of the United States. Maryland Defense Force. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  34. ↑ "Troop Command". Maryland Defense Force Official Website. Retrieved 18 October 2014.

Further reading

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.