The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is Maryland’s volunteer uniformed state military agency. It provides professional, technical, and military support to the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, and Maryland Department of Emergency Management.
I was commissioned in the MDDF in 2006 and have held the rank of Captain since 2013. This page is the public documentary record of that service: operations, policy work, qualifications, awards, and the institutional context in which they belong.
My Service
Maryland Defense Force · 2006–Present Captain since September 16, 2013
My MDDF work joins operations with institutional design. I have led operational teams during statewide COVID-19 vaccination activity; written policies governing promotion, hazardous materials, professional writing, training, and operational standards; and worked in the part of public service where a plan has to survive implementation.
Dates of Rank
| Rank | Date |
|---|---|
| Captain | September 16, 2013 |
| First Lieutenant | June 20, 2011 |
| Second Lieutenant | November 21, 2006 |
My Commission
Or you can download the PDF here.
Operations
Statewide COVID-19 Vaccination Operations
During Operation Steadfast Guardian—March 15 through June 21, 2020—I served on State Active Duty supporting Maryland’s COVID-19 response. The record includes a Maryland Defense Force Commendation Ribbon and Maryland Emergency Service Ribbon for that activation.
In Operation Steadfast Guardian II, I supported the Maryland National Guard Medical Detachment’s statewide vaccination work, including Task Force Equity. From January through June 2021, MDDF support to those clinics resulted in 8,285 vaccinations. That is the operation’s documented result, not a claim that I personally administered 8,285 shots.
Policy and Institutional Work
Much of the durable work is less visible than an activation. I have authored publicly describable MDDF policy in five related areas:
- promotion;
- hazardous materials;
- professional writing;
- training; and
- operational standards.
The point was not to produce paperwork for its own sake. It was to make expectations, responsibilities, and operating practice intelligible enough to use when the organization needed them.
Qualifications
Senior Military Emergency Management Specialist
I hold the Senior Military Emergency Management Specialist qualification from the State Guard Association of the United States. It follows the Basic MEMS qualification and recognizes advanced emergency-management preparation for planning and leading increasingly complex incident-response work.
The blue MEMS flash records activation or mobilization for a disaster, declared emergency, or major event requiring use of the Incident Command System.
Awarded September 10, 2023: Senior Military Emergency Management Specialist with MEMS flash.
Awarded March 3, 2021: Basic Military Emergency Management Specialist.
Awards and Decorations
The ribbons below are the documentary index to the record. They remain grouped by the kind of recognition rather than being treated as one undifferentiated rack.
Personal Awards
The Adjutant General’s Special Recognition Ribbon
The Adjutant General’s Special Recognition Ribbon is awarded to recognize an agency, organization, or entity that is not a numbered or lettered unit for exceptional service or achievement to the Maryland Military Department in support of its Service Members and the mission.
Awarded: October 13, 2020
For outstanding unit performance in support of the COVID-19 response.
Maryland Emergency Service Ribbon
The Maryland Emergency Service Ribbon is awarded for being mobilized by the Governor of Maryland to support a declared state emergency, or mobilized under Title 32 USC to support a domestic emergency or crisis such as a natural disaster or civil unrest.
Awarded: September 12, 2020
Operation Steadfast Guardian—March 15, 2020 to June 21, 2020
State of Maryland State Service Medal
The State of Maryland State Service Medal is awarded to Maryland Military Department service members who have completed five good continuous years of faithful, honorable, and efficient service to the State of Maryland as a member of the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, or Maryland Defense Force.
The addition of two bronze botonees is for fifteen years of service.
Maryland Defense Force Meritorious Service Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Meritorious Service Ribbon is the highest MDDF award and is presented to any active member of the MDDF who distinguished him/herself by extraordinary distinguished service or through sustained and extraordinary service or achievement beyond the normal call of duty to the Maryland Defense Force, Maryland Military Department, or State of Maryland in a duty of great responsibility.
Awarded: November 4, 2021
For sustained meritorious service in support of the Maryland National Guard Medical Detachment’s statewide COVID-19 vaccination efforts to include supporting Task Force Equity. The MDDF’s support of the vaccination clinics from January to June 2021 resulted in 8285 shots being given during Operation Steadfast Guardian II.
Maryland Defense Force Commendation Ribbon
Recognition of outstanding acts of achievement or service that has clearly placed the individual far above their peer or superior service which results in achievement of a specific project, complex tasks, or period of sustained service which clearly warrants recognition of the individual’s achievement.
Awarded: September 9, 2020
For service, while on State Active Duty, in support of Operation Steadfast Guardian during the period of March 15, 2020, to June 21, 2020.
Maryland Defense Force Humanitarian Service Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Humanitarian Service Ribbon is presented to any active member of the MDDF who, while under orders and in the opinion of the MDDF Commanding General, greatly distinguishes themselves by meritorious service in direct participation in any significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature as approved by the Maryland Military Department.
Awarded: November 28, 2021
For supporting the MDDF’s participation in Operation Steadfast Guardian II.
Maryland Defense Force Aid to Civil Authority Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Aid to Civil Authority Ribbon is awarded to MDDF members for being mobilized by the Commanding General, MDDF, to support a domestic emergency, crisis, or other missions as deemed appropriate.
Awarded: November 28, 2021
For supporting the MDDF’s participation in Operation Steadfast Guardian II.
Maryland Defense Force Community Emergency Response Team Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Community Emergency Response Team Ribbon will be awarded upon a MDDF member’s successful completion of an accredited local, state, or federal government sponsored CERT training program. The CERT course or program must also be certified by the MDDF-D5/7.
Maryland Defense Force Professional Development Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Professional Development Ribbon is awarded to encourage professional growth within the Maryland Defense Force. Awarding of this ribbon will be based on five completed courses within a member’s MDDF specialty and/or the core mission of the Maryland Defense Force.
I have received this award three times.
Maryland Defense Force Basic Training Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Basic Training Ribbon is awarded to recognize the successful completion of the approved MDDF Basic Training curriculum as set forth by the MDDF-G3.
To call the training curriculum “Basic Training” is not fair, as it only involved some light reading and passing a few written tests. You could do this in an afternoon, and I think I did. In 2010, the entire curriculum was revised into a more involved process called “Initial Entry Training” (IET) and this ribbon was superseded with one for the new IET process.
State Guard Association of United States Professional Development Award
The State Guard Association of United States Professional Development Award is awarded to active SGAUS members who complete certain training through the organization. The first award is for completing the SGAUS Officer Basic Course and the second is for completing the SGAUS Officer Advanced Course.
This medal is awarded by the State Guard Association of the United States and is authorized for wear by MDDF members.
Unit Awards
State Guard Association of United States Superior Unit Citation
The Superior Unit Citation may be awarded to SGAUS members in a state guard/defense force unit that performed outstanding service in response to a riot, natural or manmade disasters, and emergencies to a degree beyond that normally expected, either for a sustained period or in a specific set circumstance. The Superior Unit Citation is given to foster unit esprit-de-corps by recognizing those units that demonstrated outstanding performance in support of the mission of SGAUS and the state guard/defense force.
The Superior Unit Citation is awarded by the State Guard Association of the United States and is authorized for wear by MDDF members.
Awarded: September 15, 2021
The soldiers of the Maryland Defense Force have distinguished themselves as a force multiplier in support of the Maryland National Guard’s Operation Steadfast Guardian. While on state active duty from March 2020 to June 2020, the soldiers of the Maryland Defense Force provided critical support in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic completing all assigned tasks with efficiency and professionalism. Their selfless service and commitment to their motto “Ready when called” is indeed keeping with the finest traditions of the Maryland Defense Force and the Maryland Military Department.
Other / External Awards
President’s Volunteer Service Award
The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is a notable honor that celebrates individuals who have made remarkable contributions through volunteer service within their communities and beyond. Since its establishment in 2003, the PVSA has recognized the exceptional efforts of individuals who have dedicated their time and energy to selflessly serve others. Through the PVSA, recipients are commended for their significant commitment and the number of hours they have devoted to various volunteer activities. The award is divided into different levels - bronze, silver, gold, and the prestigious President’s Lifetime Achievement Award - reflecting the recipients’ outstanding contributions and their impact on improving lives and communities. The PVSA serves as a meaningful recognition of these individuals’ dedication to creating a positive difference in the world.
The award is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in collaboration with Points of Light, an organization devoted to promoting and acknowledging volunteerism. It is not authorized for wear by MDDF members.
Awarded: April 9, 2022
For calendar year 2021, bronze
Schweizerischer Zweitagemarsch
The Schweizerischer Zweitagemarsch, also known as the Swiss Two Day March, is a renowned non-competitive walking event held annually in Switzerland. This event, taking place over two days, invites participants of all ages and fitness levels to embark on an invigorating journey through the picturesque Swiss countryside. The walk is divided into several routes of different distances, allowing walkers to choose a challenge that fits their abilities and endurance levels. In essence, the event is not just about walking but is a celebration of the stunning Swiss landscapes, fostering a spirit of camaraderie, and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. The Schweizerischer Zweitagemarsch embodies the joy of movement and the unity of diverse people under the shared love for nature and walking, making it a much-anticipated event in the Swiss annual calendar.
The Schweizerischer Zweitagemarsch Medal is awarded for particpating, with a silver helmet for the first award. In 2023, Chase, Ducky, and I joined up and walked with the event.
The medal is awarded by Der Verein Schweizerischer Zweitagemarsch and is not authorized for wear by MDDF members.
About the Maryland Defense Force
Maryland established the Maryland State Guard in 1917 after the Maryland National Guard entered federal service during the First World War. The Guard served the State during that absence and stood down in 1920 after the National Guard returned.
Maryland re-formed the State Guard in 1941 as the United States entered the Second World War. Its members performed in-state security, emergency, and disaster-response work while the National Guard was federally mobilized; the remaining formations stood down in 1947.
The General Assembly reactivated the state-defense-force authority in 1983. The Maryland Military Department’s official history identifies that reactivation as the beginning of the present force; the Maryland State Archives records its 1990 reorganization under the Maryland Defense Force name.
After September 11, 2001, the force’s role developed around providing supplemental professional and technical support to Maryland military and emergency operations. Its current official mission is to support the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, and Maryland Department of Emergency Management.
Maryland law establishes the MDDF as a military force within the State’s organized militia and permits State Active Duty when the Governor calls the militia in response to a public crisis, disaster, or other legally specified circumstance. The force is separate and distinct from the Maryland National Guard, though its purpose is to support the State’s military and emergency-response institutions.
