California State Guard - formerly the CSMR

[nevets]

Greetings everyone! Great news! The California State Guards EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMAND has officially been stood up!

We had our first UTA yesterday and I must say that it's an honor to be one of the first members of this new unit and be part of California's military history.

And there's more great news.... We are actively recruiting!

For those who haven't heard of the Emergency Response Command and are interested, the mission of ERC is to be ready to respond on short notice to natural and man-made disasters throughout California. The ERC is designed to focus on security missions as well as man-made or natural disasters. There are two subordinate detachments within the ERC, Team Blaze and Team Shield. Team Blaze is responsible for providing forces for wildland firefighting, mass casualty and general disaster response. Team Shield is a security force that is tasked to conduct fixed point security at both military and governmental infrastructure. Additionally, Team Shield can augment and support civil authorities for operations such as traffic and access control during disasters such as fires, earthquakes, and others. Follow the link for more information: https://stateguard.cmd.ca.gov/public...ponse-command/

For those current CSG members interested in joining either Team Blaze or Team Shield of the Emergency Response Command, contact your chain for further information. For non-CSG members interested in joining the ERC, check out the above link to find out more information and to contact a recruiter.

Thanks!

[CrazyCobraManTim]

Hooah to this Nevets!

Yes - a new Security Forces command, Medical, Fire are all happening. Cyber is still a work in progress.

[nevets]

Absolutely, Tim! Things are lookin' good!

Hey rkt88edmo, did you receive my response? I tried to send it a couple times but my phone and internet are acting up...

[QuadrupoleTensor]

#1 - Army side training can be a reduced amount of MOS's and in some cases - shortened duration.

Is there anywhere I can find more detailed information regarding training? I'm curious about what sorts of specializations are available, and what they entail in terms of training. The main reason I'm tempted to join the CSG is to receive military/emergency training and serve as emergency response while avoiding being shipped overseas NG-style.

[nevets]

@ QuadrupleTensor - Thanks for your interest in joining the California State Guard! You can go to https://stateguard.cmd.ca.gov and click the "join" tab at the top to be contacted by a recruiter. They can answer all your questions about training and certification offered by the CSG. Also, if you have Facebook, you can join the California State Guard forum and post questions for active members who can answer in more detail and probably in a much more timely manner. I know the CSG website is very general with regards to details and specifics about training and the like...

[CrazyCobraManTim]

I can clarify my previous message.

In US Armed Forces training and most / many of the National Guard courses are longer and more involved than State Guard training.

There are some courses where SG troops will attend courses alongside their NG counterparts.

Otherwise many of the general and specialized SG training is a compressed or otherwise relaxed version of Title 10 training.

Not that it will necessarily be easy either way.

[nevets]

Exactly what tim said. Our title 10 and NG counterparts are going to have longer and typically more physically intensive courses than State Guardsmen. You also have to keep in mind that our title 10 and NG buddies are training to go to war. The California State Guard, and state defense forces in general, are NOT war fighters. That being said, you will find many training opportunities in the CSG to be both physically and mentally taxing and you will find plenty of stress inoculation in many of the courses such as OCS, WOCS, and NCO courses. Some units may offer specialized training courses organic to that particular unit. For instance, my previous unit before I transferred to the ERC was able to do training courses at the Los Angeles County sheriff's Department shoot house where we engaged in active shooter force on force drills utilizing weapons that fired simunitions (I still have a scar from three years ago on my elbow frim being hit). In addition, new recruits to that unit are required to complete a training course called BETA phase (basic entry training and assessment) or as we call it "red phase." it's carried out over the course of about 6 months during drill weekend and you will be in formation before the sun comes up to do your APFT and if you mess up or mess around, you'll have one of the training cadre in your face to correct you. It's not like army boot camp but we have on occasion had recruits transfer to other units after realizing this unit may not be what they were looking for.

In addition, members of the Maritime component and members of the Emergency Response Command are required to complete an Arduous Physical Duty Test. You can follow this link to get the current CSG physical fitness requirements, as well as the arduous physical duty requirements:

https://stateguard.cmd.ca.gov/public/join-the-california-state-guard/

[theunpunisher]

I've been with the CSG Maritime component for about ten months now and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I went to BOC (now called Basic Training) last year in November and there was a little bit of stress involved, not much as it's mostly classroom, but there was a fair bit of yelling in your face if you messed up something during marching or if you were caught falling asleep during classes. At least that was my experience.

[nevets]

Team Shield of the California State Guards Emergency Response Command just made the news!!!

"The California State Guard activates its O.C.- based unit for disaster response" - LA Times

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2021-04-28/california-state-guard-activates-o-c-based-unit-for-disaster-response

[nevets]

Fyi, for anyone interested, the California State Guard Emergency Response Commands wildlands firefighting unit, Team Blaze, will be hosting a recruiting/training event at Camp Roberts 21-23 MAY 2021. Check out the link below for more info and to sign up.

https://stateguard.cmd.ca.gov/public/erc-team-blaze-recruiting-event/

[ShastaCola]

What is the status on recruitment at this time? I am now over the one year mark since I applied and went to the State guard version of MEPS at Los Alamitos and have not heard back since.

I have emailed the recruiter for any status updated and have not head back. I was told at Los Al that my application looked good and I should be hearing something but so far nothing.

I'm just guessing, but I'm assuming since we are in a pandemic that things in Sacramento might be not running smoothly.

Any new news would be welcomed.

[nevets]

ShastaCola,

I know exactly what you're going through. When I came in to the CSG and 2013, it took me about a year to access. This is been an ongoing problem and it's something they're still trying to fix today. My best advice would be to stay on your recruiter or whoever your POC is for whatever point in the accession process you're at, and just keep calling and emailing. It may take a while but it will go through in time.

[M1NM]

Yes and no. People worked the EOCs as liaisons, and some did security at the armories. Got paid about $300 a day for 6 days for ESAD. However, I did not see anyone get to go to the front lines.

When the 1992 LA riots started CSMR deployed to the front lines (armed with ammo). As the NG deployed (armed with no ammo) CSMR pulled back to support positions. We ended up using the big Scottish Rite building on Wilshire. They had a big hall, kitchen and were happy to see us as someone had started a fire in their lobby.

[CrazyCobraManTim]

Shasta - a year does seem long to me. There have been many improvements (systems, websites, processes) which should streamline accessions - yours included. But there were several years when a unified recruiting effort was disbanded and each component (Army, Air, Maritime) had to do their own recruitment efforts. We once again have joint recruiting effort, so things should get smoother.

I'd agree with Nevets - reach out to your POC or recruiter and ask if you have any medical or legal holds.

As for Covid messing things up - well - the business of the Guard is to deal with fires, floods, riots and earthquakes (and now outbreaks). So the organization should be able to accomplish its various support missions despite XX event going on.

Looking forward to hearing about you in action soon!

[ShastaCola]

I would like to personally thank everyone that responded to my question. Your responses are the first and only news since I applied. As for reaching out to my recruiter, I have averaged sending an email about every six weeks asking for any news. No response. The only possible delay is as somebody mentioned is a med hold. I am at 50% disability but nothing mental or with PTSD. I was airborne and I have back and knee issues as well as a constant ringing in my ears. But that is just a huge guess. Basically I have not heard anything for over a year. Maybe if I reapply and go through the same process with a recruiter again?