Commanders Briefing Quick Clips

In Part 3 of our Commanders Briefing podcast with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of The State Guard Association of The United States, we discuss the launch of a new national nitiative: the SGAUS standardized Drone Program. Developed in collaboration with the FAA, this program provides State Defense Force members with comprehensive training and certification to meet federal standards for drone operation. Soldiers who successfully complete the course will earn the SGAUS Drone badge, signifying their qualification as Federally certified drone operators. The conversation explores the program’s structure and the role drone missions play in modern State Defense Force missions.

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In Part 3 of our Commanders Briefing podcast with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of the State Guard Association of the United States, we explore a new Hazmat certification program being launched by SGAUS. Colonel Greene outlines the extensive training required to complete the course and earn the badge, emphasizing that the program is geared toward highly trained personnel such as Firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics due to the federal standards involved. He also reflects on his experiences as a State Defense Force recruiter, highlighting the challenges of denying commissions to qualified professionals like Fire Chiefs and Police Chiefs solely because they lacked prior military service—a limitation that continues to affect many State Defense Forces across the country.

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In Part 3 of our Commanders Briefing podcast with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of the State Guard Association of the United States, we explore recent developments in the Communications Program and its expanding role in federal disaster response. Lt. Col. Greene discusses how SGAUS can now coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to assign communication frequencies for State Defense Forces during federally supported operations. He also highlights the exciting ability of SGAUS to now conduct national-level communications exercises. For those interested in the future of the Commo Program—including how the new three-tier badge system works and how certified members can take on instructional roles.

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In Part 3 of our Commanders Briefing podcast with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of The State Guard Association of The United States (SGAUS), we dive into an exciting new initiative launching this spring: the SGAUS Search & Rescue program. This upcoming program is designed to provide a unified, national framework that State Defense Forces across the country can adopt and integrate into their existing training curriculums. Lt. Col. Greene outlines how this standardized approach will elevate the professionalism and operational readiness of State Defense Force personnel involved in emergency response and disaster relief missions.

The course will not only offer critical skills and certifications but also bring with it a significant symbol of achievement—a prestigious Search & Rescue tab that qualified personnel will be authorized to wear on their uniforms. The segment highlights SGAUS’s continued efforts to professionalize and enhance the mission readiness of State Defense Forces nationwide through rigorous, recognized training programs.

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In Part 3 of our Commanders Briefing podcast with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of the State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS), we delve into the launch of a national initiative— The State Defense Force Recruiting Course & Badge. This new training program is the first of its kind at the national level and was designed by seasoned professionals within SGAUS to address the unique needs of State Defense Force recruiting. Lt. Col. Greene outlines how the course equips recruiters with a specialized, tailored skillset focused specifically on attracting and enlisting qualified applicants into State Defense Forces across the nation.During the discussion, Lt. Col. Greene highlights how the program not only streamlines the recruiting process but also empowers recruiters to more effectively communicate the value and mission of State Defense Forces to potential members. The course culminates in the awarding of a new Recruiting Badge, giving recognition to those who complete the program and reinforcing the professionalism and credibility of State Defense Force recruiters nationwide.

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In Part 3 of our Commanders Briefing podcast with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS), we explore the current status and recent developments of the Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) Academy. The MEMS Academy is a credentialing program in the field of Emergency Management, certified and provided by SGAUS. It offers three levels of qualification—Basic, Senior, and Master—and includes an optional “flash” device for those who have deployed in actual incident responses. Established in 1998, MEMS has become the most professional and recognized emergency management certification available to members of State Defense Forces, the Department of Defense, first responders, and civilian emergency agencies.Lt. Colonel Greene shares insights into how many individuals have been certified through the MEMS program and discusses new updates to the training, including digital access and streamlined coursework to accommodate busy service members and emergency professionals. He highlights the growth in participation and the increasing demand for MEMS training across the country. The President also dives into how significantly the program has expanded and evolved over the years, noting that various departments of the Federal Government—as well as troops from foreign nations—have pursued and received MEMS certification, demonstrating its global reputation and value.

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In this compelling follow-up episode of Commanders Briefing, we continue our discussion with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of The State Guard Association of The United States. This segment delves into one of the most urgent national security challenges of our time—cybersecurity—and explores how Governors and their states should respond to this escalating threat. With cyberattacks targeting essential infrastructure, the stakes are higher than ever, impacting not just our way of life but our very survival.Lt. Colonel Greene underscores the critical need for cybersecurity preparedness, emphasizing that every state in the nation is under constant cyber attack. From hospitals and power grids to water treatment plants and state agencies, hackers target infrastructure with the potential to cause massive financial, operational, and even human losses. He warns that a successful cyber attack could have catastrophic consequences, citing one case where hackers attempted to manipulate a water treatment facility’s chemicals—a breach that could have turned drinking water into poison for an entire population.Given these threats, Lt. Colonel Greene argues that Governors must leverage every available resource, including their National Guard and State Guard, to bolster cyber defense capabilities. He believes that Cyber Defense must become a core mission of The State Military.Listen to the whole clip as we dive into who’s responsible for these attacks and the current situation of The Cyber War.

In this episode of Commanders Briefing, we continue our discussion with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of SGAUS, exploring whether State Defense Forces will see more overseas deployments in support of National Guard missions in non-combat roles. Using The Maryland Defense Force’s 2006 deployment to Bosnia for a Maryland Air National Guard medical and humanitarian mission as an example, we ask if similar missions could happen again. Lt. Colonel Greene confidently affirms that such deployments will increase, citing examples by The Florida State Guard and The New York Guard as examples of how State Defense Forces are expanding their capabilities to support National Guard operations abroad.

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In this Commanders Briefing podcast clip, Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of The State Guard Association of The United States (SGAUS), offers a glimpse into the association’s ongoing efforts at both the federal and state levels. While the conversation touches on the broader objectives of SGAUS, there is a subtle mention of the legislation they are currently navigating, with a focus on securing stronger coordination with The Department of Homeland Security for State Defense Forces. The clip suggests that SGAUS is quietly shaping a future path that balances immediate needs with sustainable growth, though the details remain carefully guarded.

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In Part 2 of our Commanders Briefing interview with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, the President of The State Guard Association of The United States (SGAUS), we tackle a significant and often-debated topic within the State Defense Force community—The Florida State Guard.Our discussion begins with a pressing question: Does SGAUS recognize The Florida State Guard as an official State Defense Force under federal law 32 U.S.C. § 109? Lt. Col. Greene provides his perspective on whether Florida’s newly reestablished force meets the criteria set forth in federal law that governs state military organizations. Unlike traditional State Defense Forces, which operate under the State Adjutant General as uniformed military components, The Florida State Guard is classified as a civilian organization, separate from The Florida National Guard and is not held to The Florida Military Law & Regulation (Title XVII – MILITARY AFFAIRS AND RELATED MATTERS – Chapter 250 MILITARY AFFAIRS – MILITARY CODE (ss. 250.01-250.5206)). You can learn more about our Florida State Guard coverage in a previous Commanders Briefing we did with a former Non-Commissioned Officer of The Florida State Guard -> Here.As the conversation unfolds, we explain why StateDefenseForce.com does not endorse The Florida State Guard or recognize them as part of the greater State Defense Force family. The discussion highlights key concerns, including their lack of military authority, training standards, and chain of command, which differ significantly from established State Defense Forces such as those in Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. Unlike these forces—which are bound by military regulations and operate in tandem with their National Guard counterparts—The Florida State Guard’s structure and governance raise questions about its operational credibility. Our host also addresses whether Florida’s model could set a dangerous precedent for other states seeking to establish similar organizations outside of military oversight.Later in the interview, we touch on a broader issue regarding the enforcement of State Military Laws and Regulations within State Defense Forces. Lt. Col. Greene states that he has never heard of a State Defense Force member being visited by the Police for going AWOL or failing to follow orders. However, StateDefenseForce.com is aware that these laws are indeed enforced in State Defense Forces across the country. In fact, we are aware of a case in New York, where a New York Guard member was arrested by a Police Officer for abandoning his Basic Training—a clear example of how State Military Regulations are taken seriously and enforced.This episode provides a deep and critical examination of The Florida State Guard’s legitimacy, the importance of maintaining professional military standards in State Defense Forces, and the reality of military regulations that govern these organizations. It’s a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of State Defense Forces and the challenges they face.We have tried to reach out multiple times to The Florida State Guard Public Affairs Office to confirm if they have been converted to a military organization and have reformed the organization under a military model. We have yet to hear back. Our email is always open at -> [email protected].

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