The
Indiana Guard Reserve, formerly the
Liberty Guard and the Indiana
Legion, is a militia force that serves as the State Defense Force of the State of
Indiana. The Indiana Guard Reserve serves under the
exclusive authority of the Governor of the State of Indiana through
his executive agent for military matters, The Adjutant General of
Indiana. The Guard Reserve is a unique military organization
designed to provide military support for the State of Indiana when
units of the Indiana Army National Guard are activated for federal
service or otherwise unavailable to the State of Indiana. When the
Indiana Army National Guard enters active federal service and
departs Indiana, the Indiana Guard Reserve remains in Indiana and
becomes the Governor's military force. The Indiana Guard Reserve
could be assigned missions of providing custodial management of
armories, security for armories and possibly other state
properties, and support to civilian authorities in natural
disasters and other state emergencies.
Organization
The Indiana Guard Reserve is organized pursuant to Indiana Code IC
10-16-8. It is subdivided into seven subordinate commands:
- Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment - Headquartered in
Indianapolis, Indiana and serves a Headquarters for the Commanding
General of the Indiana Guard Reserve.
- 1st Brigade - Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana and
encompasses the northeast quarter of the state.
- 2nd Brigade - Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana and
encompasses the northwest quarter of the state.
- 3rd Brigade - Headquartered in Bedford, Indiana and encompasses
the southwest quarter of the state.
- 4th Brigade - Headquartered in Shelbyville, Indiana and
encompasses the southeast quarter of the state.
- Training Command - Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and
administers the Indiana Guard Reserve Training Academy.
- Support Command - Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and
serves as a supporting unit. The command has military police,
communication, and medical units assigned to it.
Purpose
The purpose of any State Defense Force is to provide the Governor
of a state with a viable military force in the event that National
Guard forces for that state have been mobilized into Federal Active
Service. The Indiana Guard Reserve has prepared for several
missions in the event that the
Indiana National Guard is
federalized.
Training
The Indiana Guard Reserve offers specialized and general training
to its soldiers. Some examples of training offered either at state
or local levels include:
- Military Emergency Management Specialist certification
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
- Basic First Aid certification
- Basic Military Training
- Basic and Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Training
- Basic and Advanced Officer Training
Historic Missions
The Indiana Guard Reserve has undertaken several missions in the
past, including the following:
- Assisted Columbus Regional Hospital, Columbus, Indiana with
security after the flooding in June 2008.
- Assisted in providing security for Vice President Dick Cheney's
visit to Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana in 2006
- Supplied traffic control and security for several past
Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathons
- Supplied trainers for Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps
(JROTC) Camp
- Supplied traffic control and security for several past
Indianapolis Shamrock Runs
- Supplied traffic control and security for several past (Senator
Dick) Lugar Runs in Indianapolis
- Assisted in mobilizing and demobilizing activated National
Guard and Reserve troops for missions overseas at Camp
Atterbury
- Assisted as guides for the American Veterans Traveling Tribute
(The traveling Vietnam Wall) in Noblesville, Indiana
- Provided security for several past Indianapolis Air Shows
History
Indiana's militia dates back to 1801 when it was first formed
organized by governor
William
Henry Harrison. During the
American Civil War the Indiana Legion was
created, giving the militia an official role in the state and
distinguishing them from the regiments called to federal duty who
would later become the
Indiana
National Guard.
During the Civil War the legion fought in the
Battle of
Corydon, was active throughout Morgan's Raid into Indiana, and patrolled the
state's southern border and protected areas of importance.
The legion was renamed to the Liberty Guard in 1903 and served in
various functions in the state. The Liberty Guard was renamed the
Indiana Guard Reserve in 1916 and given a more formal role in the
state.
Uniform
Personnel of the Guard Reserve will be authorized to wear the U.S.
Army duty uniforms, both Class A and B, as well as the Class C
(ACU's or BDU's). Ownership of the Dress Blue is optional. Wear of
these uniforms is authorized with minor insignia
modifications.
[563146]
For more information see
JFHQIN-IGR Reg 10-4-9
Decorations
Decorations from prior service along with Guard Reserve and Indiana
State awards are authorized for wear.
[563147][563148]
For more information see
JFHQIN-IGR Reg 10-4-10
See also
References