Quote:
Originally Posted by castlebravo92
I'm not sure about other state guards, but I'm pretty sure that the Texas State Guard is completely unarmed (aside from privately owned weapons). Transitioning from an unarmed support organization to an armed militia would be a challenge, which again might motivate those units to occupy or raid NG and Federal facilities to arm themselves.
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The TXSG states that they are a part of the Texas Military Department. There are no weapons qual requirements in their Basic Training and do not appear to be an armed force. However, they participate in and have won TMD service rifle and pistol competitions using m16/m9 weapons.
There is currently additional training and a reg for “Security Support Units” which includes weapons qual, being an accredited peace officer, and use of force requirements. SSUs have as part of their mission set protection of TXMD facilities and armories, critical infrastructure, security of disaster and relief areas, and other security duties as assigned by governor or competent authority (including non title 10 members of the TXNG). It looks like the weapons are limited to TMD approved weapons, with mention of provision in one section. They are not a military police unit and it looks like it’s a very small party of the force.
According to their history, prior to the early 90s, the TXSG was organized into MP units with an internal security and disaster assistance role. This started to evolve by adding medical and communications support before shifting to an emergency management/disaster relief role in the 2000s.