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Welcome to the South Carolina State Guard Web Site! Major General Eli Wishart commands the South Carolina State Guard in its mission to provide internal security, disaster relief, and protection from civil disorder. The State Guard serves under The Adjutant General of South Carolina, Major General Stanhope Spears, as a vital arm of the Military Department of South Carolina. _____________________________________________________________ AWARDED FOR EFFORTS IN OLYMPIA SCHO OL FIRE The South Carolina State Guard Headquarters occupies the historic Olympia Armory in Columbia, South Carolina. The armory was completed during the W P A era and has served state military units since. National Guard units and the Emergency Preparedness Division have been among the tenants. The state’s Military Department continues a high level of maintenance on the structure. In the early evening hours of 5 November 2001 a fire broke out in the old Olympia School, which was under renovation. Flames soon engulfed the buildings and threatened to spread to the historic Olympia Armory, which was in close proximity to the school. Over a dozen South Carolina State Guard personnel responded to the emergency, assisting firefighters in gaining access to the armory to fight the fire and helping to secure records and other sensitive items. Through the magnificent efforts of the firemen, ably assisted by the members of the SCSG, the armory was saved, suffering only minor cosmetic damage except for the loss of one radio antenna and some damage to vehicles parked at the rear of the building. Earlier, the Adjutant General of South Carolina, Major General Stan Spears presented a Citation to The City of Columbia’s Fire Department for their efforts at containing the huge and rapidly spreading fire of November 5th. Contact Us! You may contact South Carolina State Guard Headquarters at 803.253.6210. Headquarters South Carolina State Guard Olympia Armory 551 Granby Lane Columbia, SC 29201Request enlistment/commissioning information via e-mail. 1. WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD? The South Carolina State Guard will assume the in-state duties of the South Carolina National Guard when and if these units are called to federal duty outside of South Carolina. If required, the South Carolina State Guard will occupy and secure armories and other essential areas designated by the Governor; assist local and state law enforcement agencies in the preservation of law and order; perform security missions at vital installations and protect life and property in case of natural disaster. The mission is a broad one and training for it is just as broad.2. WHO MAKES UP THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD? South Carolina citizens of any race, religion, or sex between the ages of 17 and 70 who are interested in serving their fellow citizens.3. WHERE WILL I SERVE? At a National Guard Armory located in your area. It is expected that some with special military qualifications may be asked to serve at Headquarters in Columbia. The South Carolina State Guard cannot be ordered to duty outside the state.4. CAN I GET CREDIT FOR CIVILIAN EXPERIENCE? In most cases, YES! Urgently needed skills may result in a higher grade determination. Recruits with no military experience may qualify for commissioned or non-commissioned rank, based on education and civilian experience.5. DO I HAVE TO SUPPLY ANYTHING? Personnel above the enlisted rank of E-7 and all officers traditionally supply their own uniforms. One complete uniform is supplied to all other recruits.6. DOES THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD RECEIVE TRAINING? Yes. The South Carolina State Guard trains in specialized techniques such as crowd control, urban evacuation, traffic control, military security, first aid, disaster relief, and family services.7. IS THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD A FORMAL MILITARY ORGANIZATION? Yes. As part of the Military Department of South Carolina, the State Guard is a formal military organization which follows normal military courtesies and customs. The Army rank structure is used.8. WHAT UNIFORM WILL BE WORN? The duty uniform of the South Carolina State Guard is the Army woodland BDU. Other modified Army dress uniforms are authorized.9. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO APPLY? Contact headquarters at 803.253.6210 or send the South Carolina State Guard electronic mail. You will then be contacted by a representative of the South Carolina State Guard who will provide you with more information prior to your enlistment or appointment. The South Carolina State Guard in World War II by COL Jack Allen Meyer As World War II raged in Europe it was obvious to American military planners that the United States stood a good chance of becoming involved in the war. Should that occur, the National Guard would inevitably be ordered to active duty, leaving no military force to maintain order in the several states. To rectify this situation the National Defense Act of 3 June 1916 was amended on 21 October 1940 to allow the establishment of state defense forces. In South Carolina the enabling act was the Act Establishing the South Carolina Defense Force, signed into law by Governor Burnet R. Maybank on 21 March 1941. The South Carolina Defense Force (SCDF) was organized into a Headquarters, four regiments of three battalions each, and at least one independent battalion. Initially those wishing to enlist or be commissioned had to be between the ages of 21 and 55, in good health, and of good character. The minimum age quickly fell to 17 and there are indications that a few men served at an even younger age. The uniform was to be Confederate Gray. This was changed to standard GI Olive Drab by 1943. The initial armament was the Model 1917 rifle, sometimes called the 1917 Enfield rifle. Later this changed to a mix of rifles, shotguns, Thompson sub machine guns, and a few larger weapons. The men of the SCDF were volunteers, serving without pay unless called into active service by the governor. The authorized strength was 518 officers and 6,035 enlisted men. According to the Adjutant General's report of 2 July 1941 there were 191 officers and 3,060 enlisted men enrolled as of 30 June 1941. Among the officers was 2LT J. Strom Thurmond of Company L (Edgefield), 3d Battalion, 1st Regiment. By the spring of 1942 the number enrolled had risen to over 6,000. The mission of the SCDF, renamed the South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) in January 1944, was to defend against invasion along the South Carolina coast and assist local officials in providing internal security, including search and rescue. While invasion by sea was unlikely there was a fear that the Germans might land forces by submarine and it was the job of the SCDF to hold until troops could be brought in from Fort Jackson. Fortunately the need never materialized. Most of the time the men drilled and conducted defensive exercises to prepare them in the event an invasion did occur. Occasionally they were called out to provide security for crashed aircraft or after natural or man made disasters. Apparently the last official activity of the SCSG was to provide security in Greenville after the Ideal Laundry fire in November 1946. The last known war time unit, Company E (Greenville), 2d Battalion, 2d Regiment, was mustered out on 8 August 1947. This page last revised 14 April 2002. Send comments to CPT Edward E. Watson.