The Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) is a uniformed, organized force that provides rapid response and assistance to the state of Georgia during emergencies as directed by the Adjutant General or Governor. The GSDF offers military and emergency response training to its personnel and works closely with the Georgia Army and Air National Guard. Composed of approximately 33% prior service veterans, the GSDF acts as a force multiplier by providing immediate response and assistance during search and rescue missions, disaster relief efforts, and support to redeploying Guardsmen.

1. Georgia State The GSDF provides directly,
and makes available through other
Defense Force resources, a wide variety of training and
educational opportunities, from military
When ordered by the Adjutant operations to community emergency
General, the Georgia State Defense response team training for its personnel.
Force (GSDF) provides an organized, The strong working relationship
trained, disciplined, rapid response, with both the Georgia Army and Air
uniformed force. GSDF volunteers National Guard allows the GSDF to
respond to needs and emergency remain relevant and ready to serve the
situations as defined by the Adjutant state and its citizens, now and long into
General or the Governor, and assist the future.
Brig. Gen. Jerry Bradford
local authorities where such missions do It has been said, “The spirit of
Commanding General
not conflict. The Georgia State Defense patriotism burns brightest in the heart of
Ga. State Defense Force
Force is authorized under the Official the volunteer.” Throughout our nation’s
Code of Georgia, Title 38, and serves at history, it is that spirit of volunteerism
the will of the Governor and under the which has made America and its citizens
direction of the Adjutant General. strong.
Prior-service veterans comprise That spirit burns no brighter than in
approximately 33 percent of the GSDF the citizens of the state of Georgia and,
force. State Defense Force members most particularly, in those who serve
act as a force multiplier to the Ga. in the Georgia State Defense Force.
DoD, capable of immediate response These outstanding Americans serve the
when called upon and assisting with Department of Defense and our fellow
everything from search and rescue Georgians without compensation or
missions, to disaster relief efforts, to reward. The men and women of the
helping reunite redeploying Guardsmen Georgia State Defense Force epitomize
with their families. the fullest definition of “civil servant.”
When called upon, the GSDF
provides a variety of support functions
for the Georgia National Guard including
family support, legal assistance,
medical and chaplaincy support, and
technical assistance in a variety of areas
including information technology and
communications, emergency support
teams and in other specialized areas.
The GSDF performs defense
support to civil authority missions
such as evacuation and control during
natural disasters, perimeter safety, and
medical assistance at major public
events. It also maintains liaison with
a variety of local emergency, law
enforcement, and homeland security
agencies. Additionally, the GSDF can
assist in military data recording and can
assist GEMA with manning emergency
operations centers.
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2. Georgia State Defense Force members practice
their search and rescue skills during one of their
monthly drill sessions.
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