Casual Uniforms for State Defense Forces: Pros, Cons, and Controversies

In this Scuttlebutt clip, Professor Barry Stentiford explores the decision by some State Defense Forces who have transitioned from the Army Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) military uniform to a more casual option of polos and khaki pants, and current State Defense Forces who have or are considering planning to incorporate them alongside OCPs in their uniform regulations. The discussion delves into the pros and cons of this shift, highlighting concerns about a potential loss of military identity, reduced practicality for field operations, and a diminished esprit de corps. The clip offers a thoughtful analysis of how this change aligns with the evolving roles and public perceptions of State Defense Forces.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
In the National Guard Directive, it did mention that any
states that do not have an OCP uniform, they would
recommend to wear polo and khaki pans so for and
some states have in the last ten to fifteen years.
A good example was the Alabama State Defense Force that
transitioned from from their military uniform to polos in khaki

(00:24):
pans and then eventually they were deactivated. The Oregon Oregon
Defense Force kind of did the same thing and then
they were transitioned from a military to a civilian agency.
I have noticed there's one or two other state defense
forces that have some of their members in polos and khakis,
and others that are considering it. What are your thoughts

(00:47):
on transitioning a state defense force to these to this
new type of uniform.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
I'm against it. I think I think that is you know,
if you demilitarize. Maybe militarizesn't the right word because people
think if you say militarized, they think you're going to
be carrying guns and shooting things. But the state Defense
Force has definitely got to be part of the state
military structure. And I wouldn't use this term, but yes,

(01:17):
it is part of the organized militia of the state.
If you put it in cockies and polos, I think
that sends a message, and I'm not sure that's a
great message. But if all you have in your state
defense force, for example, is say medical people, lawyers, administrative

(01:38):
and cyber people, then I suppose, you know, the kaki
and polos is not the worst thing you could have
them wear. But nevertheless, it really does downgrade them from
from you know, a part of the military assets of

(01:59):
the day, just kind of makes him a bunch of
you know, pavilion volunteers. Which which is it's it's it
is a different thing. Wasn't the Oregon State Agent in General?
Wasn't he? Isn't he like or didn't he become the
chief of the National Guard Bureau. Maybe I'm wrong, but
I seem to think that which which? And I think

(02:21):
he was one of these aged generals that just simply
was not keen on state defense forces. Which is one
of the things I wonder if if what happened to
the Oregon State Guard. Yeah I'm in New Englander, I
call it Oregon. What happened to the Oregon State Guard
was maybe perhaps is modeled to what to do to
state defense forces nationally.

Speaker 3 (02:42):
Yeah, I have to actually check on that that might
be the case. Uh yeah, And I can fully agree
with you the I think a lot of people join
the State Defence Force, uh because for one, you know,
you you do have a large group that are prior
service that don't want to go into the National Guard.
They have a job at you know, civilian job that

(03:04):
you know, they can't deploy, you know.

Speaker 1 (03:06):
For a large amount of time. If you're a doctor
and you have a practice and you get to play
for a year, that will cause some disruption in your practice.
So a lot of them, I've I've heard join the
State Defense Force because they can serve in a military
capacity but still follow their civilian career. And with the
National Guard being more active and possibly being further active

(03:30):
as world tensions rise, a lot I believe kind of
tailored themselves to staying more within the state with their
State Defense Force. I guess the