The Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF, GASDF, or SDF) is an unpaid, volunteer component of the Georgia Department of Defense, serving in support of the national and state constitutions under direction of the governor and the adjutant general of the U.S. state of Georgia. Members of the Georgia State Defense Force serve alongside the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard.
The mission of the Georgia State Defense Force is to provide an organized, trained, disciplined, rapid response volunteer force to assist state and local government agencies and civil relief organizations during emergencies to ensure the welfare and safety of Georgia citizens.
The SDF's members help support and augment the Georgia National Guard, provide professional skills to the Georgia Department of Defense, and assist Georgia communities. Volunteers are trained to assist the National Guard, provide search and rescue, medical support, and disaster relief.
The Georgia State Defense Force is currently organized with a headquarters based at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta; four brigades with geographic areas of responsibility throughout the state; medical companies; a support command providing special skills' augmentation; a Chaplain Corps (based on Army special branches religious support) with a Command Chaplain, Brigade Chaplain, Battalion Chaplain (UMT) Unit Ministry Team and a Chaplain Training Center; and a military band (based on the Army Band - Large, Music Support Team (MST) concept). Each brigade and equivalent unit is commanded by a field grade officer (usually a colonel). The current chain of command for the State Defense Force at the state level is organized under three positions: The commander-in-chief (Governor Nathan Deal), the adjutant general (Major General James Butterworth), and the Georgia State Defense Force commander (Brigadier General Jerry Bradford). At present, both the Georgia Army National Guard commander (Brigadier General Joe Jarrard) and the Georgia adjutant general are commissioned officers in the Georgia State Defense Force.
Current eligibility to join the State Defense Force extends to men and women between the ages of 18 and 64. Prior military experience is not required, although approximately 40 percent of active members have prior service experience.
Read more about Georgia State Defense Force: History
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