SGAUS President Lt. Col. Barry Greene Discusses the Florida State Guard’s Controversial Status as a State Defense Force

In Part 2 of our Commanders Briefing interview with Lt. Colonel (MD) Barry Greene, the President of The State Guard Association of The United States (SGAUS), we tackle a significant and often-debated topic within the State Defense Force community—The Florida State Guard.Our discussion begins with a pressing question: Does SGAUS recognize The Florida State Guard as an official State Defense Force under federal law 32 U.S.C. § 109? Lt. Col. Greene provides his perspective on whether Florida’s newly reestablished force meets the criteria set forth in federal law that governs state military organizations. Unlike traditional State Defense Forces, which operate under the State Adjutant General as uniformed military components, The Florida State Guard is classified as a civilian organization, separate from The Florida National Guard and is not held to The Florida Military Law & Regulation (Title XVII – MILITARY AFFAIRS AND RELATED MATTERS – Chapter 250 MILITARY AFFAIRS – MILITARY CODE (ss. 250.01-250.5206)). You can learn more about our Florida State Guard coverage in a previous Commanders Briefing we did with a former Non-Commissioned Officer of The Florida State Guard -> Here.As the conversation unfolds, we explain why StateDefenseForce.com does not endorse The Florida State Guard or recognize them as part of the greater State Defense Force family. The discussion highlights key concerns, including their lack of military authority, training standards, and chain of command, which differ significantly from established State Defense Forces such as those in Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. Unlike these forces—which are bound by military regulations and operate in tandem with their National Guard counterparts—The Florida State Guard’s structure and governance raise questions about its operational credibility. Our host also addresses whether Florida’s model could set a dangerous precedent for other states seeking to establish similar organizations outside of military oversight.Later in the interview, we touch on a broader issue regarding the enforcement of State Military Laws and Regulations within State Defense Forces. Lt. Col. Greene states that he has never heard of a State Defense Force member being visited by the Police for going AWOL or failing to follow orders. However, StateDefenseForce.com is aware that these laws are indeed enforced in State Defense Forces across the country. In fact, we are aware of a case in New York, where a New York Guard member was arrested by a Police Officer for abandoning his Basic Training—a clear example of how State Military Regulations are taken seriously and enforced.This episode provides a deep and critical examination of The Florida State Guard’s legitimacy, the importance of maintaining professional military standards in State Defense Forces, and the reality of military regulations that govern these organizations. It’s a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of State Defense Forces and the challenges they face.We have tried to reach out multiple times to The Florida State Guard Public Affairs Office to confirm if they have been converted to a military organization and have reformed the organization under a military model. We have yet to hear back. Our email is always open at -> [e-mail].

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