Mississippi State Guard

Mississippi State Guard

Mississippi State Guard SSI
Abbreviation	MSSG
Formation	1941
Type	State defense force
Legal status	Active
Headquarters	1410 Riverside Drive Jackson, Mississippi 39296
Location	Mississippi
Members	100 +/-
Commander-in-Chief	Gov. Tate Reeves
Adjutant General	MG Janson D. Boyles
MSSG Commanding General	John B. Carter, Brigadier General (MS) MSSG
MSSG State Command Sergeant Major	Dennis Lautenbach, Command Sergeant Major (MS) MSSG
Parent organization	Mississippi Military Department
Affiliations	Mississippi Army National Guard, Mississippi Air National Guard
Website	https://msstateguard.org/

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).

History

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.

During WWII the Mississippi State Guard was mustered into service in November 1940. The Mississippi State Guard first came into being in the early part of 1941, by Executive Order of Governor Paul B. Johnson. The initial force was an Infantry Brigade Commanded by BG Bernard E. McDearman. The force was organized from 32 municipalities and consisted of over 2,000 officers and enlisted men. The force was active through WWII until disbanded on 30 June 1947. Many members of the State Guard were incorporated into the returning National Guard on or about April 1947.

In 2005, the Mississippi State Guard was activated to assist with storm relief for Hurricane Katrina; however, an incident occurred between Biloxi Police Department and guardsmen involving alleged firearms that were not authorized along with alcohol while serving at a special-needs shelter. Currently [2026], the Mississippi State Guard maintains less than 100 active members and has not been activated for emergency response since Hurricane Katrina.

Membership

The MSSG is open to citizens of Mississippi, male and female, age 17 to 62. All applicants are subject to a background check. There is no contractual obligation to members in regards to service timeline. The MSSG is a military reserve 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.

Training

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 areas like security force augmentation, logistics, supply, administration, or communications.

Organization

The Commanding General of the MSSG is appointed by the Adjutant General and Governor of the State of Mississippi, and reports directly to them. All commissioned officer appointments and/or promotions must be approved by the Commanding General of the MSSG.

The Mississippi State Guard is organized into three Companies. These units include:

• 115th Distribution Company (inactive)

• 215th Forward Support Company (Winona, MS)

• 315th Forward Support Company (Camp Shelby)
  • 317th MP Detachment (Camp Shelby)

Ribbons and decorations

Ribbons and decorations authorized for wear on the MSSG uniforms may be those that have been officially awarded by competent authority:

• Federally authorized ribbons and decorations awarded by the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, or Coast Guard, active or reserve components.
• State authorized ribbons and decorations awarded by the Air or Army National Guard of any state.
• Ribbons representing awards by the Mississippi State Guard.
• United States recognized foreign decorations or ribbons.
• State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) qualification badges.

Ribbons, decorations medals or badges awarded by the Civil Air Patrol, college or high school ROTC, or any other quasi-military organizations are not authorized for wear on the MSSG uniform.

Authorized state guard ribbons and awards

Individual

• MSSG Distinguished Service Ribbon
• MSSG Meritorious Service Ribbon
• MSSG Commendation Ribbon
• MSSG Achievement Ribbon
• MSSG Award of Merit
• MSSG Longevity Service Ribbon
• MSSG Operation Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon
• MSSG Recruitment Ribbon
• MSSG Training Ribbon
• MSSG Association Membership Ribbon

Unit

• MSSG Outstanding Unit Citation

Notable members

• CW5 (MSSG) Beckett Hadley
  • Chief Hadley became the first CW5 and was appointed as the first Command Chief Warrant Officer in the MSSG in 2022.
• CPT (MSSG) Braeden Hulme
  • Captain Hulme became the first Jewish chaplain commissioned in the MSSG in 2026.

See also

• Mississippi Military Department
• Mississippi Army National Guard
• Mississippi Air National Guard
• Mississippi Wing Civil Air Patrol

External links

• Mississippi State Guard Official Website
• History Site, State of Mississippi (Archive)