New York Guard, state volunteer defense force, conducts annual training at Camp Smith Training Site Sep. 12-17

Media Advisory

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY (09/14/2021) — Some 160 members of the New York Guard, the state's volunteer state defense force, will conduct their week-long annual training at Camp Smith Training Site here September 12-17. Training will include certification of chainsaw operators for debris clearance operations that often follow severe storms.

News media are invited to visit their training on Wednesday.

WHAT: Debris removal training with chainsaws

WHO: Instructors and a dozen members of the New York Guard

WHEN: 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 15

WHERE: Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.

Media Opportunity

Interviews with New York Guard volunteers during their week-long annual training as members receive training for operating chainsaws in debris clearance missions. Visuals of troops using chainsaws.

For access to this secure facility, news media must contact New York Guard Capt. Mark Getman, 516-644-9743.

Background

The New York Guard is a force of 500 uniformed volunteers, organized as a military unit, who augment the New York National Guard during state emergencies. They provide administrative and logistics support to the National Guard. Members of the New York Guard have been involved in flood control efforts along the Lake Ontario shoreline this summer.

Unlike members of the New York National Guard, New York Guard members do not have a federal military role and do not deploy outside the state. New York Guard members usually train in a volunteer status and are only paid when they are placed on state duty during emergencies.

Many members of the New York Guard are retired members of the National Guard and Reserve forces, who bring a wealth of experience to the force. Previous military membership is not a requirement for New York Guard service.

During the week-long training session, members who are new to the New York Guard will go through an initial entry training program and current members will conduct primary leadership and officer training.

New York Guard engineers will also be involved in construction projects at Camp Smith.

The New York Guard traces its origins to the First World War. When the 24,000 members of the New York National Guard mobilized to fight in France in 1917, the state created the New York Guard as a state militia to replace the National Guard.

National Guard Soldiers had been guarding railroad bridges, the New York City water system, and the Erie Canal to prevent sabotage by enemy agents and state officials want to replace that force. Eventually there were 10,000 New York Guard members across this state with about 2000 serving on active duty as a security force.

During World War II the New York Guard was created again, and in the 1950s the New York Guard was established as a permanent force.

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