Shows
Scuttlebutt ClipsService Beyond State Lines: How Overseas Deployments Could Change Perceptions of State Defense ForcesEpisode 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...
2025-12-2210 minScuttlebutt ClipsShould State Defense Forces Training Standards Be Adjusted Based On a Case by Case Basis?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 stat...
2025-12-0611 minScuttlebutt ClipsThe Mission That Redefined State Defense: The New York Guard’s Role in the Nation’s First CERFP TeamIn 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 mul...
2025-11-1126 min
Commanders Briefing Quick ClipsMaryland Defense Force Prepares to Assume National Guard Missions as Global Conflict ArisesIn this Commanders Briefing clip, host Major (GA) Retired Beverly Shepard speaks with Brigadier General (MD) Gregory Juday, the Commanding General of The Maryland Defense Force, about the growing tensions across the globe and how they could impact the United States. General Juday discusses the potential role The Maryland Defense Force would play should a global conflict arise—specifically, whether the organization could assume the state-level military duties and responsibilities of The Maryland National Guard if the Guard were federally deployed. This would not be unprecedented, as The Maryland Defense Force performed such a duty during both World War I an...
2025-10-2302 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsMaryland Defense Force Partners with National Guard on New Cyber Protection MissionIn this Commanders Briefing clip, Major (GA - Ret.) Beverly Shepard speaks with Brigadier General (MD) Gregory Juday, Commanding General of the Maryland Defense Force, about new missions on the horizon for the organization. General Juday reveals that the Maryland Defense Force, working in coordination with the Maryland National Guard and federal partners, is preparing to take on a critical new mission focused on protecting the state’s vital infrastructure, particularly in the cyber realm. He highlights that the Maryland Defense Force’s Cyber Team—composed of senior IT professionals and experts in cybersecurity—will pla...
2025-10-1602 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsDefending Maryland on All Fronts: From Cyber Threats to Disaster Response, The Maryland Defense Force Stands ReadyIn this Commanders Briefing Episode 16 clip, Brigadier General Gregory Juday, Commanding General of The Maryland Defense Force, joins host Major (GA-Retired) Beverly Shepard to discuss the Force’s vital missions supporting both The Maryland National Guard and the state’s citizens. General Juday explains how The Maryland Defense Force conducts Installation Status Report (ISR) missions, which help assess National Guard facilities so that soldiers and airmen can focus on their specialized military training. He highlights the Force’s academic and technical outreach programs, readiness training for natural disasters, and the vital work of the 10th Medical Regiment and the Medical Reserv...
2025-10-0407 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsSGAUS President Lt. Col. Greene on State Defense Force Uniform Changes
2025-09-2201 minScuttlebutt ClipsBalancing Duty and Dollars: The Future of State Defense Force CompensationIn 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 th...
2025-09-2005 minScuttlebutt ClipsU.S. Army Auxiliary Proposal Reaches Congress and Pentagon ReviewIn 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...
2025-09-1207 minScuttlebutt ClipsA New Force Multiplier: Inside the U.S. Army Auxiliary Activation ProjectIn 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...
2025-09-0203 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsBalancing Volunteerism and Pay: The Future of the Texas State GuardIn this Commanders Briefing clip we sit down with the Commanding General of the Texas State Guard, Major General (TX) Roger O. Sheridan to discuss a major shift being considered for the force. Currently, Texas State Guard soldiers are compensated only when called to State Active Duty missions, but not for their Annual Training or weekend drills. The conversation highlights how possible legislation could extend pay to cover those training periods, aligning the Guard more closely with National Guard standards.The discussion then explores the broader implications of such a change, weighing the benefits of increased compensation against...
2025-08-3003 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsTexas State Guard Basic Training: Length, Tracks, and What Recruits Learn Before Becoming SoldiersMajor General Roger O. Sheridan, the new Commanding General of the Texas State Guard (State Defense Force), walks through exactly what recruits can expect from TXSG Basic Training. He explains the course length and how the pipeline differs for prior-service versus non-prior-service recruits—highlighting an accelerated path for those with previous military experience while maintaining a full, standards-based curriculum for first-timers. Sheridan describes how the program builds core soldier skills and discipline from day one, with an emphasis on physical readiness, teamwork, and safety. He also addresses whether training elements like Search & Rescue and obstacle course fitness events are incorporated, cl...
2025-08-2204 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsThe Texas State Guard: Why Its The Largest State Defense Force in The CountryIn this Commanders Briefing Podcast clip, we sit down with Major General Roger O. Sheridan, Commanding General of the Texas State Guard, to explore why the Guard has grown into the largest State Defense Force in the nation. General Sheridan shares what makes the soldiers of the Texas State Guard truly exceptional, highlighting the spirit of volunteerism and patriotism that drives their service. We also discuss the Guard’s budget, and how dedicated recruiters ensure the ranks remain filled with remarkable Texans committed to making a difference in their state.To Listen to the full interview visit: https://ww...
2025-08-0803 minScuttlebutt ClipsScuttlebutt Podcast Tackles The Controversial Uniform Change Affecting State Defense ForcesIn 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...
2025-08-0212 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsWill the Texas State Guard Change Uniforms? General Sheridan Responds to New National Guard Uniform DirectiveIn this clip, we speak with the new Commanding General of the Texas State Guard, Major General Roger O. Sheridan. The discussion focuses on the recent National Guard directive, CNGBI 5500.01, which outlines how the National Guard should interact with State Defense Forces. One of the key recommendations in the directive is for all State Defense Forces to adopt distinctive uniform changes—including red nametapes, red rank insignia, and a red baseball cap—to clearly differentiate them from National Guard troops. General Sheridan shares his perspective and discusses whether the Texas State Guard may implement such a transition in the future.
2025-07-2503 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsEssential and Effective: Texas State Guard SAR’s Role in Today’s EmergenciesIn this Commanders Briefing clip, Major General Roger O. Sheridan highlights the critical importance of the Texas State Guard's Search & Rescue (SAR) and Search and Recover teams. The discussion emphasizes how these specialized units play a vital role in saving lives during emergencies—especially relevant amid the devastating floods that struck Texas over the past week. General Sheridan shares insights into how SAR teams have proven their effectiveness not only during real-world missions but also during training events, where lives have been saved. The clip also explores how these teams work hand-in-hand with the Texas National Guard, providing crucial support du...
2025-07-1102 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsFuture of State Defense Force Training: President Lt. Colonel Greene’s RoadmapIn 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 both his short- and long-term goals for the organization, with a strong focus on making the upcoming 2025 SGAUS Convention a major success. The President details how every newly announced course—ranging from Drone Operations to HazMat—will be actively showcased through hands-on exercises at the event, giving attendees the chance to experience the training firsthand. He also shares exciting details of a special ceremony to be held aboard a World War II vessel, beneath the...
2025-05-3008 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsSGAUS Launches Standardized Drone Program with FAA CertificationIn 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 mi...
2025-05-0201 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsSGAUS President Unveils New Hazmat Certification Program for State Defense ForcesIn 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...
2025-04-2504 min
Misja SportIga Świątek wraca do gry. Jan Urban zwolniony z Górnika. Jagiellonia i Legia powalczą w LKE?Gośćmi Aldony Marciniak i Łukasza Kadziewicza będą: Dawid Celt, Andrzej Grzebyk, Jarosław Koliński, Radosław Kietliński i Kamil Wolnicki. Porozmawiamy o weekendowych zmaganiach w Billie Jean King Cup oraz o powrocie Igi Świątek do gry. Zaczyna się przecież granie na kortach ziemnych. Następnie przejdziemy do zbliżającej się gali XTB KSW 105. W walce wieczoru zmierzą się Andrzej Grzebyk i Adrian Bartosiński, a pierwszy z nich będzie w naszym studio. Zastanowimy się także nad tym, czy coś zaskakującego może się jeszcze wydarzyć w rewanżach Ligi Mistrzów, a także o tym, jakiego czwa...
2025-04-151h 11Commanders Briefing Quick ClipsLt. Col. Barry Greene Details Changes To SGAUS Commo Program Including Federal Training Exercises & Instructor CourseIn 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 ce...
2025-04-1102 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsNew SGAUS SAR Program to Standardize Training Across State Defense ForcesIn 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...
2025-04-0401 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsSGAUS Unveils Specialized Recruiter Training Program and BadgeIn 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 na...
2025-03-2802 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsFrom State Defense Forces to The US Army: MEMS Certification Goes GlobalIn 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 Defe...
2025-03-2304 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsSGAUS President Warns That Every State Must Leverage All Assets to Combat Cyber ThreatsIn 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 atta...
2025-03-1506 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsWill State Defense Forces Deploy Overseas Again? SGAUS President Barry Greene Weighs InIn 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 ca...
2025-03-0805 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsIs SGAUS Currently Lobbying for State Defense Forces at the Federal Level?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 gu...
2025-03-0102 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsSGAUS President Lt. Col. Barry Greene Discusses the Florida State Guard’s Controversial Status as a State Defense ForceIn 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 opera...
2025-02-2618 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsCan We Foresee a Future Where Are SDFs Able To Utilize Federal Equipment & VehiclesIn this Commanders Briefing clip, Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of the State Guard Association of The United States (SGAUS), outlines a forward-thinking strategy to enhance State Defense Forces capabilities by a method on which they can utilize federal equipment and vehicles into both training exercises and emergency response missions. He emphasizes that leveraging these advanced federal assets can significantly improve operational readiness and effectiveness of those missions. He elaborates that it will also help foster improved collaboration between state and federal agencies via standardized protocols and communication channels. Greene further discusses practical steps for implementation, addressing legal and...
2025-02-2308 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsCould State Defense Force Troops Lose Their Combat Patches? SGAUS President Weighs InIn the latest Commanders Briefing clip, Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, President of The State Guard Association of The United States (SGAUS), responds to the revised National Guard Policy CNGBI 5500.01, which advises that State Defense Force troops should no longer wear the Combat Patch, Combat Infantryman Badge, and other federally recognized military accomplishments. Lt. Col. Greene expresses his disapproval of the removal of these hard-earned distinctions. Citing various sources, he adds that even some within the National Guard oppose stripping prior service members of their combat patches, emphasizing that these honors represent sacrifices made in service to the nation.
2025-02-0907 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsSGAUS President Discusses New National Guard Bureau Uniform Policy for State Defense Forces
2025-02-0706 minCommanders Briefing Quick ClipsWhat’s New with SGAUS: Major Website Overhaul, Online Store Reboot, and Strengthening Federal PartnershipsIn this Commanding Briefing clip with the SGAUS President, the discussion centers on the organization's dynamic evolution over the past few years as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. The conversation begins by revisiting SGAUS’s origins, detailing its initial mission to fill orders for uniform items and support legislative functions. Over time, the organization expanded significantly, relying on a growing number of unpaid volunteers who took on responsibilities such as developing training materials, creating badges, and managing order fulfillment—all of which have been critical to SGAUS’s sustained success despite facing ongoing challenges with the online store operations.The briefi...
2025-02-0214 minScuttlebutt ClipsAmerica’s Backup Force: Why State Defense Forces Matter More Than EverIn 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.
2025-01-2902 minScuttlebutt ClipsDeploying State Defense Forces Abroad: Augmenting The National Guard OverseasIn this episode clip from our latest episode of Scuttlebutt, we delve into whether State Defense Forces should deploy overseas to assist and augment National Guard units facing personnel shortages. Drawing on historical examples, such as the Maryland Defense Force’s deployment alongside the Maryland Air National Guard to Bosnia on a medical and humanitarian mission, we explore the potential for State Defense Forces to expand their roles. Similarly, we discuss how the Coast Guard Auxiliary already augments active-duty Coast Guard cutter crews, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating auxiliary forces into critical missions. Should State Defense Forces take on more ope...
2025-01-2101 min