Just as their motto states: “Texans Helping Texans”, the Texas State Guard (TXSG) has approximately 1200 volunteer troops deploying to Camp Bowie to learn many ways to serve as support to civil authority and assess areas in times of disasters.
Major General Ray Peters, the commanding general of the TXSG, was present at Camp Bowie leading the hundreds of men and women in training for disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and much more. He explained that the TXSG serves as a defense support to civil authority.
“Our goal is to have someone here (at a disaster) within 4 hours,” stated Major General Peters. “In the event of a disaster, it’s important to be there as soon as possible, we try to get people there quickly to get control of the situation.”
He explained that these volunteer men and women travel in their own vehicles and pay their own expenses while they serve, getting paid a stipend of $120/day when called to active duty. According to Major General Peters, these soldiers choose to serve while in their daily lives, many are in very demanding careers such as lawyers, chaplains, medical professionals, CFOs of large corporations, licensed waste and water personnel, employees of the high tech industry and peace officers to name a few.
“This is a unique picture of selfless service, these soldiers receive a small stipend and otherwise they came at their own cost,” said Major General Peters. “This is an amazing group of people. You don’t have to kick start them, you have to hold them back.”
Classes held during the training included Texas Emergency Tracking Network (TETN), the National Incident Management System, mass care operations, wide area damage assessment, global positioning system operations, first aid, land navigation, radio communications and command post operations among other activities. Additionally, several professional military education courses will be conducted to include the Primary Leadership Development Course and the Basic Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Course.
During their training at Camp Bowie, many of the classes were held at Brownwood High School. Use of this facility was very much appreciated by the TXSG who found it to be a great facility with ample classroom space and easily utilized for such training.
“Brownwood has gone out of its way to support us, Brownwood ISD was very generous to allow us use of their classrooms at the high school for this training,” stated Major General Peters.
Mid-afternoon Saturday, Major General John F. Nichols, the Texas Adjutant General, who commands all Texas military came to Camp Bowie to see the training. Nichols spoke with Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes in a briefing during his visit. (See videos below of both Major General Nichols’ and Mayor Haynes’ comments regarding the weekend and the relationship between Brownwood and Texas’ military forces.) These forces include three branches, the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and the Texas State Guard.
Major Robert Spratt of Brownwood stated that the weekend’s training has been successful.
“It’s just been a great AT (annual training), a tremendous bunch of soldiers getting excellent training,” stated Major Spratt.
This annual training has had 420 troops in Brownwood over the weekend with more coming during the next several days. Officials said that about 1200 total troops will participate in the training which will conclude on June 19th. In the spring of 2012, the TXSG plans to have another training which will involve disaster training with the City of Brownwood.
Pictured above are the TXSG Chaplains at the training. Left to right are: Chaplains (LTC) Larry Todd, (Major) Dave Fair, (Major) Robert Spratt, (Col.) Tom Mohler, (Sgt.) Jerry Grossman, (Col.) Fred Glazier, and (Cpt.) Jerry Morales.
Below are more photos of the day’s activities and videos.
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A map showing the command center the area of the disaster and locations of the TXSG.
Inside the communications trailer.
Ham Radio training and certification testing.
Major Sullivan welcomes TAG, Major General Nichols to Camp Bowie.
TAG, Major General Nichols and Major General Peters speak with Mayor Haynes.
Major General Peters gives Mayor Haynes a special medalion pictured below.
Medalion for exceptional duty performance offered by TXSG Major General Peters who is a two star general (the highest rank according to TXSG officials).
Officers’ flags which denote to troops which officers are present in a particular location. The blue flag with double stars is that of TAG, Major General Nichols.
