Vermont State Guard

The Vermont State Guard (VSG) is the all-volunteer state defense force of the state of Vermont. The Vermont State Guard serves parallel to the Vermont National Guard, acting as a reserve force for the State of Vermont Military Department. The Vermont State Guard is a reserve force composed of individuals living as civilians when not activated, but the force can be activated in the event of an attack or natural disaster to serve as a force multiplier for the National Guard, and is assigned to fulfill the state mission of the National Guard when the National Guard is deployed.

Unlike the National Guard, the State Guard cannot be federalized or deployed outside the country. Rather, the VSG can only be called up by the governor, and cannot be deployed outside the state without the governor's permission. The Vermont State Guard is authorized under Title 32, Section 109 of the United States Code and Title 20, Part 3, Chapter 61, of the Vermont State Statutes and was activated via Executive Order Number 67.

History

The Vermont State Guard traces its roots in the American colonial times with local Vermont militias such as the Green Mountain Boys. During the American Revolution, the Green Mountain Boys took part in the campaign against British forces under General John Burgoyne, and assisted in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga.

During the American Civil War, the Vermont Militia was expanded to handle home guard duties while units of the United States Volunteers were organized and deployed out of state to take part in the conflict's battles. Notable members included Carroll S. Page and John Calvin Coolidge Sr., father of Calvin Coolidge.

During World War I, the Vermont State Guard again assumed home guard duties while units of the National Guard were performing federal service outside Vermont. Herbert Thomas Johnson, a veteran of the National Guard and member of the Vermont State Guard, became Vermont's adjutant general in 1917 and continued to serve until 1941.

During World War II, Vermont's first modern state defense force, set aside as a state organization not eligible for federal service, was established. During World War II, the Vermont State Guard raised a force of 1,278 men and 131 officers to stand in for the National Guard, and, as summarized by Vermont Governor William H. Wills, guarded vital structures such as bridges, electric plants and dams, under the worst of conditions, sub zero weather and inadequate clothing and equipment. In addition, they were on call during their World War II service for local emergencies such as forest fires, searching for lost persons, and searching for airplane crashes.

The modern incarnation of the Vermont State Guard was signed into law by Governor Richard A. Snelling on April 26, 1982.

Membership

Membership in the Vermont State Guard is open to all citizens, both with and without military experience. Prospective members must pass a background check conducted by the Vermont Criminal Investigation Center (VCIC), and pay the accompanying $30 processing fee, as well as cover the cost of their own uniforms. The Vermont State Guard (VSG) is continually recruiting new members, as the VSG role has increased and become more critical as natural disasters and global conflicts have increased in scale and prevalence.

Training and duties

The Vermont State Guard can be called up by the Governor for any peacetime mission of the National Guard, such as acting as first responders to a natural or man-made disaster, quelling riots, or assisting in military funerals. The Vermont State Guard identifies the chief areas of focus of training and service as:

• Safe traffic and pedestrian control on non-public property.
• Military Emergency Management Specialists
• Emergency Shelter Management (Operations and Security)
• Emergency Medical Services (Doctors, Nurses, Mental Health and Paramedics)
• Assists local civil authorities
• Volunteer coordination
• Legal support (attorneys and paralegals)
• Support of the military community including their families.
• Emergency response training to VSG members and other individuals in the community.
• Information management and communications
• Chaplain services
• Ground Search and Rescue
• Operational support to Vermont Army and Air National Guard

Although training may take place one weekend per month for most members, members are only required to meet for training once per year if not called into active duty, and members may leave the organization at any time.

The Vermont State Guard has also helped staff National Guard armories that would otherwise be closed while the National Guard has been deployed.

Units

As of March 2023, units of the Vermont State Guard and their locations are:

See also

• Naval Militia
• United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Vermont Wing Civil Air Patrol

References

External links

• The Vermont State Guard at Facebook
• Vermont State Guard 1941–1944: Footage of Vermont State Guard in World War II at Internet Archive