South Carolina State Guard Lieutenant Colonel George H. McCall, P.E.
Our Proud Heritage The SC State Guard evolved from a volunteer force named the First Provincial Militia that was formed when colonists established Charles Towne on Albermarle Point in 1670. South Carolina Militia, 1706
The SC State Guard produced vital turning points in the War for American Independence in battles at Kings Mountain (1780) and Cowpens (1781). Revolutionary War
Continued Conflicts Members volunteered again during: the French threat of 1797 the War of 1812 the Seminole War (1830) the Mexican War (1846)
War Between the States At the onset of the Civil War in 1861, new military units were formed from existing militia members. In 1862, South Carolina formed six regiments of troops for internal security. 17 th Regiment, SC Volunteers
World War II In 1940, Congress passed the State Guard Act declaring as constitutional the organizing of state guard forces to replace federalized National Guard forces being called into combat. In 1941, South Carolina responded by passing the South Carolina Defense Force Act, which provided the State Guard access to Federal supplies and equipment. During WW II, the State Guard trained for combat in the event of an invasion on our soil. Many State Guard members served full-time in SC s coastal regions while others provided security in other vital areas of the state.
Who We Are Today Today s State Guard consist of approximately 1000 men and women. Its members are volunteers between the ages of 17 and 76. Prior military service is not required for membership, yet about one-half of our members have previously served in the military. Our members come from many occupations, professions, backgrounds and talents.
Structure Headquarters (Columbia) 1 st Midlands Brigade (Columbia) 2 nd Highlands Brigade (Fountain Inn) 3 rd Light Coastal Brigade (Charleston) 3 rd Battalion (West Columbia) 1 st Battalion (Williamston) 5 th Battalion (North Charleston) 4 th Battalion (Conway) 2 nd Battalion (Spartanburg) 6 th Battalion (Walterboro)
Map
SCSG Mission To provide internal (state) security, various disaster relief operations, and protection from civil disorder. The State Guard serves as a component of the broader SC Military Department, which is commanded by the Adjutant General of SC. To act as early responders by rapidly providing boots on the ground with the ability to sustain operations for 48 hours.
Mission Essential Task List (METL) Emergency Operations and Management Safety and Security Operations Collaboration and Community Partnership Organizational Professional Development
Provost Marshal Detachment (PMD) The PMD is a military police organization professionally trained to support security and law enforcement operations in South Carolina.
Medical Detachment Monitors the health of the force and provides first aid. Promotes wellness and healthy lifestyles among our members. Provides safety awareness and preventive medicine support.
Develops, tests, and manages reliable communications systems to carry out both emergency and assigned missions of the State Guard. Communications
Engineering Detachment Active Component ~25 members that regularly participate in State Guard functions and provide the necessary leadership and coordination to the Reserve Component. Reserve Component ~150 organized volunteers who will be available to respond to post-disaster call-outs, but who are unable to participate in monthly State Guard drills. Provide professional engineering support to the SC TAG, the SCSG, other state and local government agencies, and civil relief organizations in preparation for and following a disaster. Comprised of Active and Reserve Components.
Chaplains Corps The SCSG Chaplain Corps is comprised of ordained military chaplains. Chaplains serve with one goal in mind - the spiritual and moral welfare of our members and their families. Chaplains serve as confidants, offering guidance and support when sought. We encourage members to seek them in times of need.
Schools Detachment The SCSG Military Academy trains members to be proficient in skills needed for assigned missions. It conducts basic training for enlisted members and officers, and it offers courses in general leadership training.
ESF s (Emergency Support Functions) Hurricane Evacuation Search and Rescue
ESF s (cont.) HAZMAT Emergencies Water Rescue
ESF s (cont.) Disaster Relief First Responder Support
ESF s (cont.) Supply Distribution Law Enforcement
ESF s (cont.) Food Bank Support Medical Triage
Engineering Detachment Functions Pre-disaster: Evaluating Emergency Shelters for adequacy (structural and mechanical). Assessing critical infrastructure (documenting points of weakness). Emergency Response: Initial Damage Surveys -- rapidly conducting impact assessments to identify, quantify, and provide for immediate emergency needs. Assessing safety of disaster sites.
Engineering Detachment Functions Disaster Recovery: Conducting detailed damage assessments to determine the need for supplemental State, Federal, and other forms of outside assistance. Identifying post-disaster hazard mitigation strategies and activities to reduce the risk and magnitude of future disaster impacts.
Engineering Detachment Functions Non-disaster: Conducting facility assessments for SCMD. Preparing project packages for SCMD. Coordinating with county EMDs.
Engineering Detachment Members Education/Work Experience Preferred: professional registration (RA, PE, PLS) Acceptable: five years credible experience in specified field (Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc) Participation Maintain training/qualifications. Availability: monthly check-in by email, plus notification of periods of non-availability. Response Time: 24 hrs for routine check-in, 12 hrs for periods of increased readiness.
Engineering Detachment Structure Commanding Officer Executive Officer S-1 Administration Officer S-2 Mapping and Graphing Information Officer S-3 Operations and Training Officer S-4 Logistics Officer S-7 Information Technology Officer Liaison Officer to SCEMD Assessment Team Coordinators Geographical Teams Specialty Teams
Engineering Detachment Structure Active Component: ~25 persons that provide the necessary leadership and coordination to the Reserve Component. Participate in Drill, Training, or pre-approved alternative activity for at least 192 hrs/yr. Participate in emergency/disaster recalls. Reserve Component: ~150 persons that maintain current training. Comprise the Assessment Teams. Crew: structural engineers, high voltage electricians, water treatment personnel, nuclear specialty, etc. Participate in emergency/disaster recalls
Engineering Detachment Training Community Emergency Response Team Disaster Preparedness Disaster Fire Suppression Disaster Medical Operations Light Search and Rescue Operations Disaster Psychology and Team Organization Course Review & Disaster Simulation
Engineering Detachment Training California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Trains experienced professionals to quickly evaluate damaged structures, identifying those that are safe for occupancy to which people can return, while marking those that are unsafe or have restricted use.
Engineering Detachment Training FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency National Incident Management System Incident Command System MEMS Military Emergency Management Specialist
Maintaining Military Standards Members of the State Guard pride themselves in looking and acting like professionals. Uniforms, hair, tattoos, jewelry, and cosmetics must comply with Army standards. Proper military customs and courtesies must be observed.
FAQ s Who may apply? South Carolina citizens of any race, religion, or sex between the ages of 17 and 70 who are interested in serving their communities may apply to join the State Guard. Prior military experience is not required for membership. Where would I serve? Our members typically serve at a National Guard armory located in their area. Some members with special military qualifications may be asked to serve at the State Guard headquarters in Columbia. The State Guard is rarely deployed outside SC. Some units, however, volunteered to serve in New York following 9/11 and in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.
FAQ s (cont.) Can I get credit for civilian experience? Having urgently needed skills may result in an entry rank reflecting an applicant's professional experience. Candidates without prior military experience may - based on education and civilian experience - even qualify for commissioned or non-commissioned officer rank. Do I have to supply anything? Personnel above the enlisted rank of E-7 and all officers are often expected to purchase their own uniforms. Uniforms are supplied to all other recruits.
FAQ s (cont.) Does the South Carolina State Guard receive training? The South Carolina State Guard trains in specialized techniques such as crowd control, urban evacuation, traffic control, military security, first aid and disaster relief. Members receive comprehensive homeland defense training. Is the South Carolina State Guard a formal military organization? The State Guard is not a part of the Federal military. Instead, it s part of the South Carolina Military Department (SCMD) reporting to the Governor as its Commander-in-Chief through the State Adjutant General (TAG). Formed by state law, it s a formal military organization that follows normal military courtesies and customs, and it uses the rank structure of the U.S. Army.
FAQ s (cont.) What uniform will be worn? The duty uniform of the State Guard is the Army Combat Uniform (ACU). The Army Service Uniform (ASU) is worn on special occasions. Will I get paid for my service? While the State Guard is a volunteer organization whose members are generally unpaid, members receive a $3,000 state income tax deduction provided they serve at least 192 hours in a year. However, if the Governor declares a state of emergency and activates the State Guard, members convert to pay status.
The State Guard is Looking for Proven Leaders to Continue Our Proud Tradition From Francis Marion.. To Strom Thurmond.. To You!
Become a Part of The Team http://www.sg.sc.gov/scsg_prospect_packet.pdf OR Call Toll Free 1-866-238-3181 OR 551 Granby Lane, Columbia, SC 29201