Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has invited residents in his state to join its newly established Florida State Guard (FLSG) to assist with upcoming emergency response ahead of hurricane season.
DeSantis shared the invitation in a Twitter post and in a statement from the Florida governor’s website on Tuesday.
Hurricane season is right around the corner, and we need your help in the Florida State Guard to keep Floridians safe.
Sign up today: https://t.co/3Nb2lvIYSv pic.twitter.com/0YaQfbmVvw
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 31, 2022
“To be a member of the FLSG, Florida is looking for individuals between the ages of 18 and 60, to volunteer and train to ensure that the Guard is ready to step in when emergency strikes,” the governor’s statement read.
“If you love the state of Florida, have a desire to help your community, and have skills beneficial to protect the state from a disaster, we encourage you to apply to join the FLSG. Skilled Floridians with emergency response, law enforcement or military training are encouraged to apply,” the statement added.
Applicants must also be able to pass a physical and will be required to attend an annual weekend training event, according to the statement. Candidates must also be high school graduates (or equivalent), Florida residents, and pass a criminal history check, among other requirements.
The FLSG is expected to have approximately 400 guard members who will be ready to volunteer when emergencies strike.
DeSantis pushed for reviving the state guard in December to lessen Florida’s reliance on resources from the federal government in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane or flooding, The Daily Wire previously reported.
The governor proposed that the FLSG would “not [be] encumbered by the federal government,” DeSantis said in a December press conference. He said the civilian force would give him “the flexibility and the ability needed to respond to events in our state in the most effective way possible.”
DeSantis’ proposal to form a state guard comes as the Biden administration has cracked down on National Guardsmen who have resisted the federal government’s vaccine mandates for the military. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has directed that National Guardsmen who remain unvaccinated will be barred from participating in the training needed to maintain their station.
“We are proud of our veterans and active-duty military members and proud of what our communities do to support them,” DeSantis added. “Florida is one of the most veteran friendly states and I think there are very few places that you would rather be on duty than in the state of Florida. As a veteran, I really appreciate what everyone who wears the uniform does in our state and am excited about these proposals – they will go a long way and have a meaningful impact. In Florida, we are going to continue our momentum of supporting our military, supporting our veterans, and being good stewards of our military installations.”
The FLSG is also currently seeking a director. The governor’s statement on Tuesday noted, “The Director of the FLSG will be in charge of the 400 guard members and will oversee recruitment, training and mobilization of the force in the event of an emergency. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in military style operations, emergency management, leadership and problem solving.”