8 April 2010

NOTE FROM YOUR BATTALION SERGEANT MAJOR

  The purpose of this newsletter is to keep the members of the 1st battalion informed of what is going on, what will be happening in the future, and information on how to make our battalion better.

 Name Change (Correction).

As previously reported in the newsletter, our name did not change and we are still the South Carolina State Guard (SCSG).

Effective 1 April 2010 the scarlet and buff shoulder patch adopted in 2002 will be replaced by the round blue and gold South Carolina Defense Force patch originally adopted on 14 April 1941. The reinstatement of the traditional World War ll patch emphasizes the continuity between the World War ll South Carolina Defense Force and the modern South Carolina State Guard' The patch will be available in color for wear on the Class A uniform and subdued form for wear on the BDU uniform. supplies will be issued on an as needed basis.

  A Busy Summer Ahead - Again

  It is that time again with a lot of missions in addition to our regular monthly drills.    

+A message from the NDMS Coordinator follows;

 

DELORIS A. HOOKER

LTC, Medical Service Corps

NDMS FCC Coordinator

ALCON:

   

    On behalf of FCC Columbia and the Moncrief Hospital Command, we would like to extend of gracious and heartfelt thank you to each of you individually, as well as, to each of your agencies for the outstanding support that was given to FCC Columbia over the weekend during our annual NDMS training exercise. As a result of each of you and your agencies' hard work FCC Columbia in return was able to conduct one our best exercises to date. 

   

    With all of your collective efforts FCC Columbia was able to receive and transport 84 patients to 9 different NDMS partnering hospitals in the greater Greenville Spartanburg area.  This exercise was over the two day training period that started on 30 April 2010 and concluded on 1 May 2010. This exercise was also very different since it was conducted at FCC Columbia secondary patient reception area at the Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport located in Greer, SC. There were 180 personnel from 20 various agencies, 17 ground ambulances various Upstate EMS assets and a ambulance bus from Fort Jackson during the two day exercise period. Additional there were 5 aircraft assets that were available during the training period as well.

   

    Other assets that were used during the training exercise included; two separate Command Centers, a Communication Center, a Salvation Army Mobile Kitchen, Red Cross tents and 9 other tents that were used as a part of the FCC operation and overall set up.

   

    This exercise include the use of JPATs in to the FCC operation. In support of this a representative from Health and Human Services assisted.  There was also many Army representations from FCC Puget Sound, FCC El Paso, FCC Augusta, Moncrief Command Group and MEDCOM FCC. Representatives from South Carolina Emergency Managements in Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg and SCDHEC were all on hand showing their support.

   

    Again FCC Columbia would like to thank each of you for your dedication and commitment to us during of 2010 NDMS training exercise. We could not have done what we did without your support

1. Following the NDMS exercise, the next 1st Battalion mission is support to the Laurens County American Cancer Society Relay for Life from 1600 14 May to approximately 0700 15 May 2010.  The battalion will be assisting the Laurens County Sheriff's Office with parking, gate security, parking area security patrols, and event site security patrols.

2. Next is the Freedom Weekend Aloft event in Simpsonville.  This event runs from 28 May to 31 May.  More details to follow as soon as we get the Operations Order for this event.  However, last year the main function was to assist the police with event entrance gate security and lasted till about 11pm each night.  Personnel should plan to assist during 1 or more of the 4 days.  Fridays in the past has been 1st battalion day but personnel are not restricted to that day.

3. On the 18th of June, we have a mission to support Greenwood County Emergency Management with their exercise "Palmetto Shield" to be held at the Connie Maxwell Farm on the south side of Greenwood.  The exercise is expected to run from 1200 to 2300.  More details to follow as we work up the Operations Order and attachments.  Put this on your calendar.

4. At this time, July-August-September is clear of missions other than our monthly drill on the 3rd Saturday of the month.  Our next mission is Squealing on the Square in downtown Laurens on the 2nd of October.  This is an all-day event starting at 0800 and ending approximately 1800.  Our prime mission is to support the Laurens Police Department with road barricades and area security functions.  It will also be an excellent opportunity to conduct more recruiting for our battalion.  More information will follow as we get closer to this event.   

  COMMITMENT TO THE 1^st BATTALION & THE STATE DEFENSE FORCE (SDF)

  To those who are achieving over 80% or better in both attending drills and missions, this is not really directed to you but those who fall below the 80%.  As your leaders we really understand the commitment required to be a member of the SDF.  With the pressures of your job, family, and even personal time/fun commitments, it is sometimes hard to find time for everything.  In addition to time, there is also a cost to being a member of the SDF.  While the SDF endeavors to provide equipment there is a limit.  The SDF receives very little funding from the state and little to nothing gets down to the brigade and its soldiers.  With the economy like it is, sometimes our soldiers have financial difficulties limiting what they can spend on spare uniforms and personal equipment to subside for 3-7 days not mention the cost of gasoline to attend drills and other missions.  Times are tough and your leaders who receive no pay and often expend their own funds to purchase whatever equipment/supplies necessary to meet our missions truly understand the hardship some may be experiencing. 

    However, when you signed the oath of enlistment that was a commitment to the SDF (and 1st Battalion) to participate in our monthly drills and to support any and all mission that may be assigned to us to the best of your ability.  As your battalion commander and myself have said many times, work and family comes first then the SDF for non-disaster missions.  Not only must you keep your employer and family informed of what is going on but to also stress the extreme importance of your commitment to the SDF.  During times of both natural and man-made disasters, those affected by the disaster expect their government to come to their assistance.  When we put on the uniform of the SDF, we represent the government of South Carolina whose mission is to help alleviate their suffering and to bring order out of chaos.

    Therefore, to respond effectively to both natural and man-made disasters to assist our fellow South Carolina citizens without question requires a highly trained force.  The days of untrained personnel (not your neighbors but outsiders) rushing to the disaster site is fading fast.  With only 8 hours a month to "Train the Force", it is imperative you make every effort to schedule and attend our monthly drills.  Your safety and successful mission/task assignment hinges on a "Well Trained Force".

In Closing.

  It is an honor to serve with some truly outstanding soldiers in 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, and the South Carolina State Defense Force (SDF).  Soldiers who strive to be better at what we do, thrive on challenges, always endeavors to be more professional in our appearance and conduct, and whose only goal is to assist those in need during times of man-made and natural disasters.

Sincerely,

Sergeant Major Robert Mynatt

1st Battalion/2nd Highland Brigade

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