This clip from Episode 9 of Scuttlebutt 'Should State Defense Force Recruits Undergo Firearms Training During Basic Training?' explores how such training would be funded including costs for weapons access, ammunition, qualified law enforcement instructors, and range use. The discussion emphasizes that achieving this capability is closely tied to structurally separating State Defense Forces from the Adjutant General and state military departments, reestablishing them as a separate state military organization still operating under their own state Uniform Code of Military Justice and military rules and regulations. This model follows The Florida State Guard, which was recently re-activated, and it would provide a larger, guaranteed annual budget, greater mission flexibility, improved coordination with other state agencies, and most importantly the ability to deploy faster than the National Guard for domestic missions such as wildland firefighting, shelter management, and point-of-distribution operations during emergencies. The episode highlights the Florida State Guard as a modern example of this structure, noting that it has received the largest State Defense Force budget in history, totaling tens of millions of dollars. The episode reinforces that the National Guard should focus on its primary warfighting mission, arguing that frequent domestic taskings, such as disaster response, border operations, and filing sandbags because a river or lake overflowed, reduces the combat readiness and erodes proficiency in soldiers’ MOS (Military Job) skills when deployed to overseas conflict zones, and that these domestic missions shoule be the primary role of State Defense Forces which are trained directly to perform these missions.

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The Scuttlebutt Podcast are only available to our Patreon members – Corporal $5 Tier and above. We provide this to them as a thank you for keeping StateDefenseForce.com online and running. Through their funding we can pay authors to develop these historical pieces as well as fund our new lobbying program that furthers the State Defense Force cause nationwide.

This clip from Episode 9 of Scuttlebutt centers on the argument that National Guard soldiers should prioritize their limited training and active duty time on sharpening their skills for their warfighting mission, emphasizing that today’s National Guard is an operationally ready force that routinely deploys to combat and conflict zones. In this clip, the hosts discuss why Guard members should be focused on mastering their U.S. Army MOS tasks so that when they deploy alongside Active Duty US Military Forces, they are fully trained, experienced, and prepared for the operational environments they will face. The conversation highlights that National Guard troops are frequently assigned domestic missions, such as filling sandbags during floods, search and rescue, shelter management, or running Points of Distribution for food, water, and supplies, missions that State Defense Force personnel are specifically organized and trained to perform. The episode argues that diverting Guard soldiers to these roles not only pulls them away from critical MOS training but also increases risk to their lives when they later deploy overseas, having spent time on tasks unrelated to warfighting or even border security missions that State Defense Forces can and should assume. By clearly delineating roles, the hosts outline a vision where a capable state-level force is always ready to respond to domestic emergencies, while the National Guard remains fully focused on combat readiness for deployments abroad, an urgency underscored by rising global tensions, including the first major war in Europe since World War 2, ongoing instability in the Middle East, and greatly growing concerns in Southeast Asia as China signals intentions toward Taiwan that could draw the United States into a future conflict.

Episode 7 of Scuttlebutt explores a forward-leaning concept that examines the benefits of allowing State Defense Force troops to voluntarily deploy alongside National Guard units on international missions in dedicated support roles. The discussion emphasizes that such participation would be strictly voluntary, limited to State Defense Force soldiers who want to do more, possess the required skills, be physically qualified, and are financially able to deploy without burdening their home states. Beyond the significant cost savings that would come from reducing reliance on civilian contractors, the episode highlights what may be the most important outcome: elevating the respect, credibility, and professional standing of State Defense Forces in the eyes of the National Guard and the broader U.S. military. The hosts argue that if State Defense Forces were entrusted with overseas support missions, many of the uniform debates happening nationwide may never have emerged at all, instead, State Defense Forces would likely be encouraged to wear uniforms with distinction and earned recognition, such as the U.S. flag, combat patches earned through their deployment or authorized mission patches, reinforcing their role as a capable and valued force multiplier rather than a force needing visual separation.

In this Scuttlebutt clip, host Jean Marciniak, Director of The State Guard & Defense Force Council, and cohost Major (GA – Retired) Beverly Shepard explore whether future National Standards for State Defense Forces should be applied broadly across all states or tailored on a case-by-case basis. They highlight how individuals in their 60s and 70s can often outperform younger applicants in fitness, bring decades of leadership experience, and offer critical emergency-response skills—especially in areas like IT, logistics, and organizational management that strongly support National Guard missions. The discussion also examines objections raised by some SDF Commanders who prefer establishing their own state-specific standards rather than adopting a unified national model. They further address the Louisiana State Guard’s decision to modify its requirements by allowing those who do not meet height-and-weight standards to serve in blue polos and khaki pants—a well-intentioned adaptation that, if can become a slippery slope for State Defense Forces civilianizing. 

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In this compelling and previously untold Scuttlebutt Podcast clip from Episode 7, Director of StateDefenseForce.com Jean Marciniak and Major (GA – Ret.) Beverly Shepard of the Georgia State Defense Force dive deep into one of the most remarkable missions in modern State Defense Force history — The New York Guard’s augmentation of The New York National Guard CERFP Team. This elite unit, composed of roughly 50% New York Guard soldiers and 50% Army and Air National Guard personnel, became the first fully operational CERFP Team in the nation. The hosts explore the team’s crucial homeland defense mission during the tense years following 9/11, when multiple terror plots were still being thwarted across the country. They also discuss the team’s potential for deployment beyond state borders, even internationaly — a prospect that echoed The Maryland Defense Force’s 10th Medical Regiment’s deployment to Bosnia alongside The Maryland Air National Guard.

The conversation also sheds light on the internal conflicts that eventually undermined this groundbreaking mission. Despite The National Guard’s support, certain “Old Guard” officers within The New York Guard opposed the CERFP augmentation mission, engaging in petty acts of sabotage — such as forbidding State Guard troops from wearing the CERFP patch simply because senior officers themselves were not authorized to wear it. The hosts unpack how these internal politics demoarlized the troops who took this mission on as an additional duty to their already State Defense Force missions.

This mission was one of the most effective and forward-thinking partnerships between State Defense Forces and the National Guard in modern history.

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In this Scuttlebutt Episode 6 clip on Pay & Benefits, we tackle the growing debate over whether State Defense Force troops should be compensated for their monthly weekend drills and annual training periods. We highlight a legislative shift occurring across the nation, following in the steps of states like New York and South Carolina, where SDF soldiers are now being paid for weekend drills and annual training. We also discuss how this new system contrasts with states like Georgia, where members face steep personal sacrifices—often having to take vacation days or absorb financial strain to serve their state during emergencies, since they do not receive pay for State Active Duty. The discussion underscores how pay policies directly impact both troop readiness and the long-standing spirit of volunteerism that has defined these forces.

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The Scuttlebutt Podcast are only available to our Patreon members – Corporal $5 Tier and above. We provide this to them as a thank you for keeping StateDefenseForce.com online and running. Through their funding we can pay authors to develop these historical pieces as well as fund our new lobbying program that furthers the State Defense Force cause nationwide.

In this Scuttlebutt clip, we sit down with Jim Stephens from the U.S. Army Auxiliary Activation Project to discuss the current status of the initiative. Jim shares that the proposal has advanced to the legislative branch of Congress and is now under review by the Pentagon, marking a significant step forward. We explore the roles U.S. Army Auxiliary volunteers could play in directly supporting Army operations, from providing specialized skills to handling essential support functions, all while offering cost savings to the military. This conversation sheds light on the progress of the project and the potential impact it could have on the Army’s future.


Listen to the full podcast -> https://www.patreon.com/posts/scuttlebutt-5-on-137501761?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

The Scuttlebutt Podcast are only available to our Patreon members – Corporal $5 Tier and above. We provide this to them as a thank you for keeping StateDefenseForce.com online and running. Through their funding we can pay authors to develop these historical pieces as well as fund our new lobbying program that furthers the State Defense Force cause nationwide.

In today’s Scuttlebutt Podcast clip, we highlight the U.S. Army Auxiliary Activation Project and its vision for strengthening America’s defense framework. Jim Stephens, the project’s Administrator, explains its purpose, core missions, and the reasons behind its creation. He discusses how the Auxiliary can provide vital support to states already operating both a National Guard and State Defense Force, while also serving as a force multiplier for states lacking a State Defense Force. The conversation underscores the project’s role in filling critical gaps, enhancing readiness, and ensuring communities nationwide have access to trained and organized military support when needed.

Listen to the full podcast -> https://www.patreon.com/posts/scuttlebutt-5-on-137501761?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

The Scuttlebutt Podcast are only available to our Patreon members – Corporal $5 Tier and above. We provide this to them as a thank you for keeping StateDefenseForce.com online and running. Through their funding we can pay authors to develop these historical pieces as well as fund our new lobbying program that furthers the State Defense Force cause nationwide.

In this compelling clip from Scuttlebutt Episode 4, Jean Marciniak, Director of StateDefenseForce.com, and Major (GA - Retired) Beverly Shepard of the Georgia State Defense Force delve into the latest developments impacting State Defense Forces across the country. A key focus of the discussion is the recently revised National Guard directive, CNGBI 5500.01, which outlines how National Guard units should interact with State Defense Forces. Among the recent updates to the directive, one that has been the most controversial is that it advises Adjutant Generals, who command State Defense Forces and set their policies, to adopt bright red nametapes, rank insignia, and headgear for their State Defense Forces, replacing the current OCP camouflage elements in order to create a distinct visual separation from National Guard personnel.

Mr. Marciniak and Major Shepard explore the implications of this shift, emphasizing that while the directive serves as guidance, the ultimate authority lies with each state’s Adjutant General. They discuss how appealing to these Senior National Guard Generals—through well-reasoned policy papers issued by the State Guard Association of the United States and StateDefenseForce.com (also known as The State Guard & Defense Force Council), and bolstered by insights from academic experts and national security think tanks—can play a pivotal role in preserving the current uniform standard. They argue that these informed, credible recommendations can be instrumental in steering decision-makers away from a uniform transition that could compromise the cohesion, professionalism, and mission effectiveness of State Defense Forces nationwide.

In this Scuttlebutt clip, Professor Barry Stentiford discusses the critical role of State Defense Forces in times of global conflict. As history has shown, when a major war arises, The National Guard is mobilized in large numbers to support the U.S. Army, leaving states with fewer troops to respond to natural disasters and emergencies at home. We explore how this reduction in available forces underscores the vital necessity of a State Defense Force, ensuring states maintain an organized and trained military unit to augment emergency response efforts and safeguard their communities when the National Guard is deployed abroad.