South Carolina State Guard. Lieutenant Colonel George H. McCall, P.E.

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

Revolutionary War

The SC State Guard

produced vital turning points in the War for

American Independence in battles at Kings

Mountain (1780) and

Cowpens (1781).

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)

2^nd Battalion (Spartanburg)

1^st Battalion (Williamston)

3^rd Light Coastal Brigade (Charleston)

5^th Battalion (North Charleston)

6^th Battalion (Walterboro) 3^rd Battalion

(West Columbia)

4^th Battalion (Conway)

Map

SCSG Mission

• To act as early responders by rapidly providing boots on the ground with the ability to sustain operations for 48 hours.

• 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.

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.

Communications

Develops, tests, and manages reliable

communications systems to carry out both

emergency and assigned missions of the State

Guard.

Engineering Detachment

• 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.

•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.

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