TexasCHLforum.com

locke_n_load wrote:Question for you James, as I looked into joining the State Guard awhile back, and I saw this argument pop up on some forums:
Would Nat'l Guard enlisted guys salute an officer in the State Guard?

I read two different responses:
Yes, as they are officers in the same military (Texas Military)
No, as they are not officers in the national military and are not combat soldiers.

It doesn't really matter, I was just wondering what your encounters were. Thanks.

In my experience, Texas National Guard personnel render courtesy (salute) to Texas State Guard officers.

During both my active duty and my traditional National Guard careers, I and my soldiers often interacted with officer and enlisted personnel from the military of America's allies as well as National Guard officers from the several states. We were expected to, and did, render appropriate courtesies.

MOS and combat status is immaterial. I have always held a combat arms Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). While I was in the Army during Vietnam and several other conflicts, I have never been in shot at. I salute doctors, nurses, lawyers, and other "non-combat" service members as appropriate.

Any of my enlisted soldiers who failed to render appropriate courtesy to a Texas State Guard officer would not make that mistake again.

That's my experience.

The Texas State Guard (TXSG) has a web page: https://tmd.texas.gov/texas-state-guard

On the TXSG page is this quote: "Headquartered at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, the TXSG functions as an organized state militia under the authority of Title 32 of the U.S. Code and Chapter 437 of the Texas Government Code."

The Enlistment Requirements page includes:
Resident of Texas for at least 180 days
Age 18 to 70
Reasonable Good Health
Pass criminal background check
Valid Texas Drivers License
Prior Military Service NOT required
If Prior Service - Honorable discharge required
Helpful skill sets: JAG/Military experienced Attorneys, Rescue, Medical [Doctors, Nurses, Dentist, Dental Asst., Paramedics, EMT], Civil Affairs, Chaplain, Communications, IT, CPA, Education, Historian
Education; High School Diploma, Home School Certificate, GED, College Transcripts
Educational and age requirements exist for officer commissioning

While I was on active duty with the Texas National Guard, J3 (Operations), I worked closely with many Texas State Guard personnel. They were dedicated, well trained, and capable individuals. Texas depends greatly on the TXSG to maintain a high level of response to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and other services that the Texas Military Department provides.