Balancing Volunteerism and Pay: The Future of the Texas State Guard

Maryland Defense Force Prepares to Assume National Guard Missions as Global Conflict Arises

In this Commanders Briefing clip, host Major (GA) Retired Beverly Shepard speaks with Brigadier General (MD) Gregory Juday, the Commanding General of The Maryland Defense Force, about the growing tensions across the globe and how they could impact the United States. General Juday discusses the potential role The Maryland Defense Force would play should a global conflict arise—specifically, whether the organization could assume the state-level military duties and responsibilities of The Maryland National Guard if the Guard were federally deployed. This would not be unprecedented, as The Maryland Defense Force performed such a duty during both World War I and World War II, stepping in to protect the state and support civil authorities while the Maryland National Guard served overseas. The conversation highlights the preparedness and organizational capabilities of The Maryland Defense Force to ensure Maryland’s security and support its citizens during national emergencies. To Listen to the full interview visit: https://www.patreon.com/posts/commanders-16-140121933?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Maryland Defense Force Partners with National Guard on New Cyber Protection Mission

In this Commanders Briefing clip, Major (GA - Ret.) Beverly Shepard speaks with Brigadier General (MD) Gregory Juday, Commanding General of the Maryland Defense Force, about new missions on the horizon for the organization. General Juday reveals that the Maryland Defense Force, working in coordination with the Maryland National Guard and federal partners, is preparing to take on a critical new mission focused on protecting the state’s vital infrastructure, particularly in the cyber realm. He highlights that the Maryland Defense Force’s Cyber Team—composed of senior IT professionals and experts in cybersecurity—will play a central role in planning and analyzing strategies to safeguard Maryland’s key systems from potential threats. General Juday also emphasizes the strong partnership between the Maryland Defense Force and the Maryland National Guard, noting that all missions, whether cyber initiatives or community training events, are closely coordinated and approved through the Maryland Military Department to ensure seamless collaboration. To Listen to the full interview visit: https://www.patreon.com/posts/commanders-16-140121933?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Defending Maryland on All Fronts: From Cyber Threats to Disaster Response, The Maryland Defense Force Stands Ready

In this Commanders Briefing Episode 16 clip, Brigadier General Gregory Juday, Commanding General of The Maryland Defense Force, joins host Major (GA-Retired) Beverly Shepard to discuss the Force’s vital missions supporting both The Maryland National Guard and the state’s citizens. General Juday explains how The Maryland Defense Force conducts Installation Status Report (ISR) missions, which help assess National Guard facilities so that soldiers and airmen can focus on their specialized military training. He highlights the Force’s academic and technical outreach programs, readiness training for natural disasters, and the vital work of the 10th Medical Regiment and the Medical Reserve Corps in providing free medical, dental, and counseling services to underserved Maryland communities. The General also details how the organization strengthens community resilience through CPR and emergency aid training and bolsters recruitment through civic engagement. Additionally, he discusses the expanding role of the Cyber Unit in protecting state infrastructure and educating the public about cybersecurity and financial scams, along with a new mission involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which plays an essential role in safeguarding information during emergencies. To Listen to the full interview visit: https://www.patreon.com/posts/commanders-16-140121933?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Balancing Volunteerism and Pay: The Future of the Texas State Guard

In this Commanders Briefing clip we sit down with the Commanding General of the Texas State Guard, Major General (TX) Roger O. Sheridan to discuss a major shift being considered for the force. Currently, Texas State Guard soldiers are compensated only when called to State Active Duty missions, but not for their Annual Training or weekend drills. The conversation highlights how possible legislation could extend pay to cover those training periods, aligning the Guard more closely with National Guard standards. The discussion then explores the broader implications of such a change, weighing the benefits of increased compensation against the potential downsides. While pay could help recruitment, retention, and readiness, it also risks weakening the spirit of volunteerism that has long been at the heart of State Defense Forces. The General outlines how moving from an all-volunteer model to a paid force may alter the culture and sense of community within the organization, raising critical questions about the balance between professionalization and maintaining the unique volunteer ethos of the Texas State Guard. To Listen to the full interview visit: https://www.patreon.com/posts/commanders-15-tx-133458274?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Texas State Guard Basic Training: Length, Tracks, and What Recruits Learn Before Becoming Soldiers

Major General Roger O. Sheridan, the new Commanding General of the Texas State Guard (State Defense Force), walks through exactly what recruits can expect from TXSG Basic Training. He explains the course length and how the pipeline differs for prior-service versus non-prior-service recruits—highlighting an accelerated path for those with previous military experience while maintaining a full, standards-based curriculum for first-timers. Sheridan describes how the program builds core soldier skills and discipline from day one, with an emphasis on physical readiness, teamwork, and safety. He also addresses whether training elements like Search & Rescue and obstacle course fitness events are incorporated, clarifying how they’re used to reinforce practical readiness. The conversation closes with a look ahead at a forthcoming policy update that may add formal firearms training to the Basic Training Program and why that may be needed for future missions. To Listen to the full interview visit: https://www.patreon.com/posts/commanders-15-tx-133458274?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link