Mississippi State Guard

Mississippi State Guard

Mississippi State Guard SSI
Abbreviation	MSSG
Formation	1941
Type	State defense force
Legal status	Active
Purpose	To serve the State of Mississippi in aid with, to or in lieu of the Mississippi National Guard
Headquarters	1410 Riverside Drive Jackson, Mississippi 39296
Location	Mississippi
Membership	300 +/-
Commander-in-Chief	Gov. Phil Bryant
Adjutant General	MG Janson D. Boyles
MSSG Commanding General	Doug Hayhurst, Brigadier General (MS) MSSG
MSSG State Command Sergeant Major	CSM Karl Rogers
Parent organization	Mississippi Military Department
Affiliations	Mississippi Army National Guard, Mississippi Air National Guard
Website	http://www.msstateguard.us

Mississippi Army National Guard,

The Mississippi State Guard (MSSG) is the state defense force of Mississippi. It operates under the authority of the Mississippi Military Department alongside the Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) and the Mississippi Air National Guard (MSANG).

The MSSG was initially established by executive order during World War II, after Mississippi National Guard units were called to federal active duty. In 1986, the United States Army adopted the "Total Force Concept" in which the National Guard of all states are trained as, and considered an integral part of the active duty forces of the United States military, though remaining under state control unless activated to federal service. The MSSG was re-activated and reorganized as a cadre force to augment the state's National Guard forces as necessary in the event of their federal deployment.

The MSSG open to citizens of Mississippi, male and female, age 17 to 62. All applicants are subject to rigid background checks. An oath of office is required, though there is no contractual obligation to members. The MSSG is an all-volunteer organization tasked with supplementing the forces of the MSARNG or MSANG when ordered by the Governor and/or Adjutant General of the State of Mississippi. While its primary mission is to assist in coping with man-made or natural disaster, the MSSG trains to be ready to meet any assignment.

All new state guardsmen receive military training in the wear and appearance of their uniform, military structure and ranking system, military chain of command, rendering proper honors and respect to those appointed over them.

Guardsmen are required to train in emergency management, by taking courses provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Completion of the FEMA training is necessary to earn the Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge. Members also receive specialized training in the military police occupational specialty.