HEADS UPThe Official Newsletter of the Georgia State Defense Force

P A R A T I S E R V I R E • R E A D Y T O S E R V EVOL.3 • ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2007

General Nesbitt takes commandSees great potential for State Defense Forces

First Brigade participates in Gaines searchDay long search turns up no clues but enables local police to focus on other areas

This article appeared on www.11alive.comMembers of the Georgia State Defense

Force poured over a map Saturdaymorning before dividing their soldiers intosearch teams.

Their mission – to try to find clues tothe whereabouts of Justin Gaines, 18, acollege student from Gwinnett Countywho’s been missing for three weeks. “I’mhappy to see all these people andoverwhelmed by the numbers thatshowed,” said Justin’s stepfather SteveWilson. At sunrise, 135 soldiers with theGeorgia State Defense Force gathered atBerkmar United Methodist Church, whichserved as the search staging area. Thesoldiers are part of an unpaid, volunteerforce, and they have the training andexperience needed to cover a lot ofground.

“Their hearts are bigger than theirminds,” said CPT Hayden Collins. “Theywill go out of their way to give ofthemselves every chance you give them.They’re here to give of themselves today.”

Justin was last seen at Wild Bill’snightclub on November 1. Gwinnett

county police said they have no evidenceof foul play, but they’ve expressedfrustration that some of his friends havenot cooperated with their investigation.Justin’s family is also frustrated.

“They’re supposed to be close friends,so why wouldn’t they come forward totake a couple of hours and go to the policestation to give a statement,” said Wilson.“Doesn’t make sense to me.” Justin is astudent at the Athens campus ofGainesville State College. A $50,000reward is being offered for his safe return.

CPT Hayden Collins and 1SG David Tucker of First Battalion perform a map recon prior to the searchPHOTO: CPL JEFFREY STONE

This article appeared on www.dod.state.ga.usThe 13,000-member Georgia National

Guard welcomed a new leader on Sunday,Oct. 28, 2007, during a traditional militaryceremony at Atlanta’s Fort McPherson.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdueofficiated the ceremonial transfer ofcommand as Major General William T.(Terry) Nesbitt became the state’s 41stAdjutant General. In accepting theposition Nesbitt thanked the Governor andlauded the support of his wife, Letha, andfamily and his fellow Guardsmen.

The ceremony brought to an end thetenure of Lt. General David B. Poythresswho has been the Adjutant General since1999.

As Adjutant General, Nesbitt reportsdirectly to the Governor withresponsibility for providing command andcontrol authority over the Georgia ArmyNational Guard, the Georgia Air NationalGuard and the Georgia State DefenseForce.

“General Nesbitt brings with him awealth of knowledge and more than fortyyears of military experience that havehoned his leadership skills,” saidGovernor Perdue. “He has demonstrated

deep commitment and serious dedicationto helping Georgia meet the challenges ofthe future.”

Nesbitt previously served ascommander of the Georgia Army NationalGuard and in 2006 was appointed byPerdue as the director of Georgia’s Officeof Homeland Security.

“General Nesbitt brings with him awealth of knowledge and more than fortyyears of military experience that havehoned his leadership skills,” said

Governor Perdue. “He has demonstrateddeep commitment and serious dedicationto helping Georgia meet the challenges ofthe future.”

Among his many militaryaccomplishments, he commanded JointTask Force G8, an organization of over7,000 personnel from all services toconduct military support operations forthe Group of Eight Summit at Sea Island,GA in June 2004.

Major General Terry Nesbitt, new Adjutant General

The Georgia State Defense Force, lead by General Michael McGuinn, honors the new Adjutant General

PHOTO: PFC LEONARD GOODELMAN

MORE SEARCH PHOTOS ON

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. SenatorJim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised thepassage by unanimous consent of his bill(S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allowveterans and servicemen not in uniform tosalute the flag. Current law (US CodeTitle 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans andservicemen not in uniform should placetheir hand over their heart withoutclarifying whether they can or shouldsalute the flag. “The salute is a form ofhonor and respect, representing pride inone’s military service,” Senator Inhofesaid. “Veterans and service memberscontinue representing the military serviceseven when not in uniform. Unfortunately,current U.S. law leaves confusion as towhether veterans and service members outof uniform can or should salute the flag.”

“My legislation will clarify thisregulation, allowing veterans andservicemen alike to salute the flag,whether they are in uniform or not. I lookforward to seeing those who have servedsaluting proudly at baseball games,parades, and formal events. I believe thisis an appropriate way to honor and

recognize the 25 million veterans in theUnited States who have served in themilitary and remain as role models toothers citizens. Those who are currentlyserving or have served in the military haveearned this right, and their recognitionwill be an inspiration to others.” This Billwas passed July 25, 2007.

New Guidance on Saluting the FlagVeterans and Soldiers out of uniform can salute

1BDE rides high during Op Blackhorse

Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma)

COL Hightower, 1ST BDE Commander, consults with emergency personnel in Acworth

First Brigade conducted OperationBlackhorse this past July. Acworth PoliceChief, Michael Wilkie, recently praisedthe Georgia State Defense Force, alongwith numerous Cobb County public safetyagencies, for their joint operation exerciseat North Cobb High School in July. Theagencies evaluated how multiple first-responder organizations respond to a largescale shooting with mass casualties.

“With Columbine and more recentlythe Virginia Tech disasters still fresh inour minds”, Chief Wilkie wrote in aformal letter sent to COL E.H. Hightower,First Brigade Commander (SDF), “TheGSDF provided vital support for thisexercise. The lessons learned in masscasualty evacuation will stand us in goodstead should the unthinkable ever occur inthis area.”

JUSTIN GAINES SEARCH PHOTOS

1BDE Soldier of the Yearselection goes to Hale

Congratulations to 1BDE Soldier of the Year CPL William Hale of 2BN, NCO of the Year SGT Robert Flavin also of 2BN and Enlisted Person of the Year SSG William Simmons of 1BN.

JUSTIN GAINES SEARCH PHOTOS

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Members of the Georgia State DefenseForce conducted their Annual Training(AT) exercises from 2-4 Nov 2007, at FortStewart near Hinesville, GA. During thetraining, all GSDF units statewidecoordinated efforts to provide disasterrelief and support efforts in assigned areasof operation along coastal Georgia.

Additional missions were in search andrescue (SAR), first aid/casualty treatment,engineering, communications andtransportation support. The intent of thetraining was to evaluate company andplatoon size units in performing missionplanning and execution of urban orwilderness simulated search and rescue

missions using LANES training. Brigadeand Battalion Tactical Operations Centers(TOCs) were also evaluated on theirmission planning.

Additional activities conducted duringAT were Change of Commandceremonies, promotion ceremonies,awards ceremonies, and unit/individualskills training. The GSDF ChaplainsCorps also conducted training on funeraldetails, drill & ceremony, and familyassistance programs. GSDF Medicalpersonnel assisted deploying GA ArmyNational Guard units in their medicalprocessing for shots, records, andphysicals.

ANNUAL TRAINING 2007

FORT STEWART, GA

SOLDIER BIO

COMMANDER’S AWARD

Born 2 November 1945, Monroe, Georgia. Graduated from Georgia Southern Collegewith BS in 1968, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in 1994.Business owner and Mayor of Good Hope, Georgia. Retiredfrom the Georgia Army National Guard in 2002, after 34years of service. Last assignment was as CommandSergeant Major, 265th Engineer Group. Federal awardsand decorations include the Legion of Merit, theMeritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Order ofDeFlurey, the Army Commendation Medal, the ArmyAchievement Medal, the Reserve ComponentsAchievement Medal (3rd Award), and the NationalDefense Service Medal (2nd award). State awardsinclude the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal and theGeorgia Commendation Medal. Command SergeantMajor Garrett enlisted in the Georgia State Defense Force in2003, and has held the positions of Operations Sergeant Major, HQ 1stBrigade, and Command Sergeant Major, 1st Brigade. Currently serves as State

Command Sergeant Major, Georgia State Defense Force.

A point based Unit competition intended to improve Unit morale, increase

Unit recruitment and retention. Awarded eachyear at Annual Training (AT). COMPETING

UNITS: 1BDE, 2BDE, 3BDE, 4BDE, 5BDE,1st/3rd MEDCO, GSDF BAND and 911st

SUPCOM. Contest runs from October 1, 2007through September 30, 2008. See your unit

CDR, CSM, SGM, or 1SG for details.

CSM GEORGE R. GARRETT

HEADS UP is the official newsletter of The Georgia State Defense Force.

Submit articles & photos to Major Williams at ewilliams@weberassociates. Articles are intended for publicizing unit missions, activities, and eventsand to

highlight GSDF members. Provide details; date, time, location and a brief description. Photos are encouraged. Photos with GSDF personnel should include the rank and

full name of the person(s). Provide a point-of-contact and phone number or email address with any submissions.

HEADS UP CONTENT SUBMISSION

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

HISTORIAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WEBMASTER/JOURNALIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REPORTER/LEGISLATIVE LIAISON. . . . . . . .JOURNALIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PHOTO JOURNALIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PHOTO JOURNALIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PHOTO JOURNALIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAYOUT & DESIGN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MAJ Rich Elwell CPT Bill Pamplin

1LT Sandra Kinney2LT Dianna Clarkson

WO2 Arni KatzWO1 Mario de Carvalho

CPL Natalie WestCPL Jeffrey Stone

OFFICE-IN-CHARGE/PAOMAJ Eddie Williams

DEPUTY PAOCPT Clark Howard

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2BDE 017911 SCD 0165BDE 0141BDE 0131MEDCO 0113BDE 010105th BAND 0094BDE 005

CURRENT STANDINGS

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DOWN1. A.T.2. Load Bearing Equipment3. Fourth Battalion

(1BDE) C.O. (see website)4. Parati _______5. The “M” in M.E.T.L.6. Once you start you can't stop

until relieved or help arrives7. The first of “those 3 hallowed

words” according to GEN Douglas MacArthur

8. ______ and Rescue

On February 29 members of theGeorgia State Defense Farce got their firstexperience with a HAZMAT situationwhen they responded to a DHMO spill onthe I-75 eastbound lane heading towardAtlanta.

DHMO, also known as DihydrogenMonoxide, is associated with manythousands of deaths annually and is amajor contributor to millions of dollars indamage to property and the environment.Some of the known perils of DHMO aredeath due to accidental inhalation, severetissue damage due to prolonged exposureand severe burns in it’s gaseous state.

Dihydrogen Monoxide contributes tosoil erosion, oxidation of metals and is acontributing factor to the severity ofhurricanes that have ravaged the GulfCoast.

Symptoms of ingestion include“excessive sweating and urination and forthose who have developed a dependencyon DHMO, complete withdrawal meanscertain death.” said HAZMAT specialistHugh Jass. “Yet incredibly the presence of

the chemical has been confirmed in everyriver, stream, lake and reservoir inAmerica.”

“Tests on Monday showed that it hadcompletely evaporated,” said CPT OllieTabooger of 6BDE, GSDF. Concernedresidents in the nearby town ofHoofhearted were able to resume theirnormal activities after a day longevacuation.

During radio communications it is a common mistake to say“REPEAT” or “REPEAT LAST” if you do not understand the wholemessage given to you or if you missed a word out of thetransmission. In the Army, saying “REPEAT” tells an artillery unitto repeat the coordinates of the previously fired round or to firefor effect, usually a multi-round salvo. Also, saying “REPEAT” cansound too much like “RECEIVED” if radio conditions are poor. Thecorrect proword is “SAY AGAIN”. So when you hear Rambo say“This is Rambo One...I can't hear you...repeat your last...Over!”,you can stand up in the theater, throw popcorn at the screen andloudly proclaim “REPEAT IS USED ONLY FOR ARTILLERY. HE SHOULD HAVE SAID...

DHMO spill closes interstateDefense Force gets first experience with HAZMAT situation

HOW MANY THINGS CAN YOU FIND WRONG WITH THIS STORY?

TRAINING TIP! CROSSWORD PUZZLE

AT EASE!CPL JEFFREY STONE

IF YOU ARE STILL WEARING THIS

UNIFORM AND IT IS JANUARY 2008

YOU ARE AS WRONGAS A SCREEN DOOR ON A SUBMARINE!

WHY IS THE FLAG

BACKWARD?

ACROSS1. New TAG2. Can’t wear anymore3. Hightower’s favorite4. A.T. town5. Sonny6. State Active Duty7. Only authorized uniform8. Best state in the union9. The “L” in M.E.T.L.

DON’T REPEAT!In the U.S. Army’s early history, mounted cavalry and infantry units would

always designate one soldier to carry the flag into the fight. As the standard bearer charged, his rapid forward momentum would cause the flag to

stream back. And since the flag is mounted with the canton closest to thepole, that section would always be forward. So if a soldier is charging into

the battle, the flag would give the appearance of forward motion.

As of January 1, 2008 the onlyauthorized uniform is the ACU.

SAY AGAIN!

CASUALTY CARRY ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN

ALL ANSWERS CAN BEFOUND WITHIN THISNEWSLETTER, ON THE

GSDF WEBSITE ONTHE INTERNETGOOD LUCK!