Georgia State Defense Force
Soldiers are trained in search and rescue, medical support, community emergency response, and assistance in disaster relief.[2] The GSDF also assists the Georgia National Guard with deployment training (opposing force)[3] and small arms range support.The following training opportunities are available with the GSDF: The GSDF alongside many other active state defense forces will ensure that all authorized uniforms will adopt nametapes, service uniform buttons, cap devices, and other insignia that will differ significantly from that prescribed for wear by members of the United States Army.Legislation resulted in the first muster in 1985 when it was re-activated as the Georgia State Defense Force under the command of Brigadier General John Gillette.[2] GSDF operations have included support to National Guard units during the Gulf War, participation in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, emergency aid to agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), support to Georgia National Guard units and their families since 2001, activation during the 2004 G-8 Summit at Sea Island,[12] the 2005 Katrina and Rita hurricane evacuations,[13] and response to Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Michael.In 2010, GSDF Soldiers were recognized by a special resolution of the Georgia Legislature[14] for their participation in Operation Healing Hands, providing disaster relief to earthquake victims in Haiti.[2] After the devastating outbreak of tornadoes across the southeast U.S. in May 2011, members of the GSDF participated in relief efforts in Lamar County and other hard-hit areas of the state.[15] GSDF Soldiers, including consumer advocate Major Clark Howard, assisted with car removal following a huge traffic jam caused by Winter Storm Leon.[17] In 2018, the GSDF established an Opposing Force unit tasked with providing realistic combat training to National Guard troops prior to deployment.In 2019, the first GSDF Soldier was awarded the Georgia Governor's Twenty Tab after successful placement in the rifle category of the Andrew Sullens Marksmanship Competition.In 2023, the first GSDF Soldier was awarded the Georgia Governor's Twenty Tab after simultaneous placement of both rifle and pistol categories while competing in the Andrew Sullens Marksmanship Competition.[20] In November 2023, GSDF Soldiers were activated to provide traffic support and visitor assistance during the funeral service of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in Plains, Georgia.
United StatesGeorgia (U.S. state)State Defense ForceMilitary reserve forceGeorgia Department of DefenseEllenwood, GeorgiaCommander-In-ChiefGovernorBrian KempAdjutant GeneralMajor GeneralCommanderBrigadier General (GA)Command Sergeant Major (GA)Shoulder Sleeve InsigniaBeret flashGeorgiaGeorgia Army National GuardGeorgia Air National GuardGeorgia National Guardcommunity emergency responseOfficersNon-commissioned officersPrivate First Class (PFC)Basic Leader Course (BLC)Corporal (CPL)Warrant officerBasic Officer Leader Course (BOLC)Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS)State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS),United States ArmyArmy Combat UniformOperational Camouflage Pattern (OCP)Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI)Army Service UniformGeneral James OglethorpeSergeants of the GuardBattle of Bloody MarshGeneral George WashingtonAmerican IndependenceCreeksCherokeesChoctawsAmerican Civil WarAtlantaCommonwealth of VirginiaNational Defense Act of 1916naval militiaWorld War IWorld War IIAmerican LegionOmar Bradleyfederal governmentState of GeorgiaOfficial Code of Georgia AnnotatedNational Guard BureauGulf War1996 Atlanta Olympic GamesFederal Emergency Management AgencyGeorgia Emergency Management Agency2004 G-8 SummitSea IslandKatrinaClark HowardWinter Storm LeonHurricane MatthewMacon, GeorgiaAmerican Red CrossOpposing ForceGovernor's Twenty TabCOVID-19 pandemicFirst LadyRosalynn CarterPlains, GeorgiaHurricane HeleneUnited States Secret ServiceGeorgia State PatrolPresident and Governor of Georgia Jimmy CarterTactical Operations Centerleave of absenceArmed Forces of the United StatesCombat Infantry BadgeCombat Action BadgeCombat Medical BadgeParachutist BadgeAir Assault BadgeSpecial Forces tabRanger tabSapper tabAviator BadgeAir Crewman WingsSubmarine Warfare insigniaDiver insigniaformation patchMilitary Emergency Management Specialist BadgeClark B. HowardGeorgia Naval MilitiaGeorgia Wing Civil Air PatrolUnited States Coast Guard AuxiliaryJustiaGeorgia General AssemblyWSB-TVState defense forcesAlaska State Defense ForceCalifornia State GuardConnecticut State GuardFlorida State GuardIndiana Guard ReserveLouisiana State GuardMaryland Defense ForceMichigan Defense ForceMississippi State GuardNew Mexico State Defense ForceNew York GuardOhio Military ReserveOregon Civil Defense ForcePuerto Rico State GuardSouth Carolina State GuardTennessee State GuardTexas State GuardVermont State GuardVirginia Defense ForceWashington State GuardAlaska Naval MilitiaNew York Naval Militia