The Florida Army National Guard is Florida 's component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard . In the United States, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the federal army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. Federal coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau . The Florida Army National Guard was composed of approximately 10,000 soldiers (as of March 2009). The main state training grounds is Camp Blanding .
41-702: The 868th Engineer Company "Suwannee Rifles" is a unit of the Florida Army National Guard , stationed in Live Oak, Florida . The company has one of the oldest continuous lineages in the Florida National Guard , starting out as an independent company of infantry in 1884. During its first 71 years, the Suwannee Rifles served as an infantry company and deployed as Company E, 124th Infantry during World War II . After WWII
82-404: A state of emergency by the governor of the state in which they serve. Unlike Army Reserve members, National Guard members cannot be mobilized individually (except through voluntary transfers and Temporary Duty Assignments, e.g. TDY), but only as part of their respective units . Army National Guard personnel who are "Traditional Guardsmen" (TG) typically serve " One weekend a month, two weeks
123-603: A good place for large-scale training. The war games were conducted while the British awaited an expected German invasion of the United Kingdom , and some speculated that the National Guard units used in the maneuvers would not be demobilized afterwards. Around 400,000 troops were divided into equal armies of two fictitious countries: Kotmk ( Kansas , Oklahoma , Texas , Missouri , Kentucky ), also called
164-521: A number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Florida . The predecessor of the Florida Army National Guard was a Spanish Florida militia formed in 1565 in the newly established presidio town of St. Augustine . On September 20, 1565, Spanish admiral and Florida's first governor, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés , attacked and defended Florida from an attempted French settlement at Fort Caroline , in what
205-455: A part of the 48th Armored Division. The name changed slightly as the battalion/regiment organization changed and by 15 February 1963 it was Company A, 1st Battalion, 187th Armor, a subordinate battalion of the 53rd Separate Infantry Brigade (which soon after became the 53rd Armored Brigade). The Florida Army National Guard went through a massive reorganization in 1968, and the Suwannee Rifles became Company C, 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry, part of
246-640: A series of major U.S. Army exercises held from August to September 1941 in northern and west-central Louisiana, an area bounded by the Sabine River to the west, the Calcasieu River to the east, and by the city of Shreveport to the north. The area included Fort Polk (now Fort Johnson ), Camp Claiborne and Camp Livingston . The exercises, which involved some 400,000 troops, were designed to evaluate U.S. training, logistics, doctrine , and commanders. Similar U.S. Army field exercises carried out in
287-535: A very large combined-arms mechanized unit to move long distances, maintain troops and vehicles in combat conditions, and affect the outcome of tactical and operational-level problems. The armored division concept was considered sound and led to the formation of 16 U.S. armored divisions during World War II. U.S. defensive doctrine was based on the perceived need to defeat German blitzkrieg tactics ; U.S. units expected to be faced with large numbers of German tanks attacking on relatively narrow fronts. The maneuvers tested
328-674: A year ", with a smaller portion of personnel working for the Guard in a full-time capacity as either Active Guard Reserve (AGR) or Army Reserve Technicians (ART). TG personnel in more intensive combat specialties, such as on active flying status in Army Aviation or in unique ground units such as Special Forces , will often perform additional military duty beyond the standard 48 weekend drills and 17 days on active duty annual training, with such periods of duty often totaling in excess of 100 days per year. Current Department of Defense policy
369-668: Is listed as a lieutenant in the company. Kemmerlin was promoted to captain on 25 November 1893 and commanded the company. William L. Tedder and J. W. Price were appointed First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant, respectively, on 27 August 1894. The unit attended Camp Dunn, Ocala in 1893 and camp at Pensacola in 1894. In 1895 the Suwannee Rifles were reorganized in the Florida State Troops as Company A, 4th Battalion. In June 1896 Captain George E. Porter assumed command while William Tedder continued as First Lieutenant. L. K. Kemmerlin
410-712: Is now Jacksonville . The subsequent Florida militia served with the Spanish crown for 236 years, Great Britain for a 20 years, and the Confederate States of America for 5 years. In 1702–1704, an inter-Indian Native American conflict started as part of Queen Anne's War involving the English armies on one side and the Spanish on another resulted in the Apalachee massacre . The conflict later also escalated into
451-567: Is that no Guardsman will be involuntarily activated for a total of more than 24 months (cumulative) in one six-year enlistment period (this policy has changed 1 August 2007, the new policy states that soldiers will be given 24 months between deployments of no more than 24 months, individual states have differing policies). The largest mobilization in state history began in mid-2009. More than 4,000 FLARNG soldiers were called to active duty and most were to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Louisiana Maneuvers The Louisiana Maneuvers were
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#1732793057929492-678: The 51st Infantry Division from 11 September 1946 to 1963 and was originally headquartered at the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida . The Florida ARNG also included the 48th Armored Division from 1954 to 1968. In 1986, the 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment , was organized from pre-existing Florida ARNG aviation units at Craig Airport in Jacksonville and Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland,
533-495: The Sabine River or in vehicle accidents. One died when struck by lightning, and one had a heart attack at age 24. This exercise also led to the creation of Fort Polk, named for the Confederate General Leonidas Polk , which was renamed to Fort Johnson on June 13, 2023. Source: Built around a nucleus from Chaffee's 7th Mechanized Cavalry , the 1st U.S. Armored Division tested the ability of
574-863: The Yamasee War . After the end of the First Seminole War in 1821, the Florida provinces joined the United States, a process finalized in the ratification of the Adams–Onís Treaty . From 1835 to 1842 the Second Seminole War resulted in the elimination by force of most of the Native Americans from the territory. Florida was incorporated into the United States as a state in 1845. After Florida's incorporation into
615-571: The 124th Infantry and 106th Engineers. Few of the men from Suwannee Rifles made it to France, none were killed in action, one man was wounded, and five men died of disease while on Federal service. After all of the Florida units returned home from service in World War I, the units were reestablished in their hometowns. Former Company E, 1st Florida Infantry reorganized in Live Oak as the 3rd Separate Company of Infantry on 11 February 1920. In August,
656-422: The 53rd Infantry Brigade on 20 January, but less than one year later, on 1 December, the unit converted to the 269th Engineer Company. The 269th Engineer Company was ordered into active Federal service on 21 November 1990 and released on 16 May 1991. They were again ordered into Federal service on 3 February 2003, deployed to Iraq, and was released on 19 June 2004. The Suwannee Rifles reorganized 1 September 2007 as
697-560: The 868th Engineer Company. The following officers are known to have commanded the company during its existence: Florida Army National Guard Florida Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same enlisted ranks and officer ranks and insignia used by the United States Army are used by Army National Guardsmen and the latter are eligible to receive all United States military awards . The Florida National Guard also bestows
738-701: The Jacksonville Fire of 1901, the Jacksonville streetcar strike from 30 October – 15 November 1912, and six other times throughout various parts of Florida. Company E, under command of Captain William H. Lyle, was commended by the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Clifford Foster, for its actions in mustering and entraining within thirty minutes from receiving orders to assist the Suwannee County Sheriff, J. W. Hawkins. The company took
779-829: The Lakeland unit relocating to Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport in Brooksville in 1999 and the Craig Airport unit relocating to Cecil Airport , the former NAS Cecil Field , in 2000. The Florida Army National Guard was composed of approximately 9,950 soldiers in January 2001, subsequently increasing to its current size [REDACTED] 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team [REDACTED] 83rd Troop Command 50th Regional Support Group [REDACTED] 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade National Guard units can be mobilized at any time by presidential order to supplement regular armed forces, and upon declaration of
820-745: The Louisiana Maneuvers. In Phase 1 of the exercise, both sides were given offensive missions. The Red 2nd Army would cross the Red River on September 15 and invade the Blue homeland. The Blue 3rd Army would move north to intercept the invaders and drive the Red force back across the river. In Phase 2, the Blue Army was both twice as large as the Red and equipped with its own armored division, the 2nd, which had switched sides since Phase 1. Blue's mission
861-639: The Red Army; and Almat ( Arkansas , Louisiana , Mississippi , Alabama , Tennessee ), or the Blue Army. The troops were organized into a total of 19 divisions. From August to September 1941, the war game was conducted over 3,400 square miles (8,800 km ) of Louisiana. The area was bounded on the west by the Sabine River , on the east by the Calcasieu River , and on the north by the Red River at Shreveport. The two fictitious factions were "at war" over Mississippi River rights. There were two phases to
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#1732793057929902-809: The Regiment in 1944. They were serving and dying elsewhere. In the course of the Second World War, no unit of the Florida National Guard had more men killed, wounded in action, or dead from other causes than Company E, 124th Infantry. Thirteen men from the original company were killed in action or died of wounds and one man died of non-battle related injuries." After the War, the unit reorganized on 8 October 1946 in Live Oak as Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry. The unit converted on 1 November 1955 as Company A, 187th Tank Battalion,
943-461: The Texas-Mexico border had ended. The reorganized company formed under command of Captain J. Hinley (who had previously commanded the unit ten years earlier) with 1LT A. E. Leslie (another former commander of Company E) and 2LT J. P. Lamb. Company E was drafted into Federal service on 5 August 1917. The company was designated 5th Company, 56th Depot Brigade and used to fill other units; primarily
984-665: The U.S. Army was largely an infantry force with supporting artillery , engineers, and cavalry , as well as combat support and combat service supporting arms. It was far smaller than most European armies, and few units were motorized or mechanized. As war approached, there was a need to both modernize and conduct large-scale maneuvers to test all aspects of a fast-growing, inexperienced force. General George C. Marshall , Army Chief of Staff , appointed General Lesley McNair as director of Army training. He and Colonel Mark Wayne Clark picked thousands of acres of unused land in Louisiana as
1025-724: The U.S. Siege Artillery train under Colonel Mills. Then in July, Company L was attached back to the Florida Regiment. The company left Tampa Heights on 21 July and traveled by train to Fernandina, arriving the next day. While in Fernandina, Sergeant H. M. Hicks and H. D. Puckett separately deserted the company, and one soldier was discharged for "disability". On 22 August the unit traveled via train to Huntsville, Alabama where they served until early October. While in Huntsville,
1066-515: The United States problems with Seminoles continued until almost 1860. Some of the immediate origins of the Florida ARNG today can be traced to the Florida State Troops. Today's 124th Infantry Regiment was reorganized and established in the Florida State Troops as five battalions between 1888 and 1892. The Militia Act of 1903 organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system. The Florida ARNG included elements of
1107-476: The company had five more men discharged for "disability". On 9 October, they took a train to Tallahassee, arriving on 11 October. Three days later the company was given thirty days furlough and all returned to Tallahassee on 15 November. The Suwannee Rifles was mustered out 3 December 1898 in Tallahassee. The Rifles became Company E, 1st Florida Infantry in 1899. The company was called to state active duty for
1148-468: The concept of the tank destroyer . This concept, originating with artillery officers, consisted of large numbers of highly mobile guns to be held in reserve. Upon an enemy tank attack, the towed or self-propelled tank destroyers would be rapidly deployed to the flanks of the penetration with the intent of taking a heavy toll of attacking tanks. Tank destroyers were supposed to employ aggressive, high-speed hit-and-run tactics against tanks. The use of these guns
1189-741: The fall of 1941 included the Arkansas Maneuvers in August and the Carolina Maneuvers in November. Many Army officers present at the maneuvers later rose to very senior roles in World War II, including Omar Bradley , Mark Clark , Dwight D. Eisenhower , Walter Krueger , Samuel E. Anderson , Lesley J. McNair , Joseph Stilwell , and George Patton . When Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, starting World War II ,
1230-515: The old government reservation known as the "Garrison". The Suwannee Rifles were selected among the twenty companies to constitute one of the twelve companies of the First Florida Volunteer Regiment and mustered into Federal service on 23 May, then left eh "Garrison" on 27 May and encamped at Desoto Park, Tampa. On 29 June the company detached from the Florida Regiment at Fort Brooke and marched to Tampa Heights, serving in
1271-462: The original soldiers had volunteered or had been reassigned to other units. The inactivation came as a shock to many in Florida and Governor Spessard Holland appealed to the Secretary of War that the 124th Infantry be kept in service, "Its inactivation would be a severe blow to morale both in and outside the service and arouse bitterness in the hearts of many of our citizens who have served in it in
Suwannee Rifles - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-685: The past". The 124th Infantry was reactivated in Australia on 5 April with personnel from the 154th Infantry and reassigned to the 31st Infantry Division. The 124th Infantry experienced intense combat in New Guinea , Morotai , and Mindanao in the Southern Philippines. After the war the unit was deactivated at Camp Stoneman , California on 16 December 1945. Florida National Guard historian Robert Hawk noted in his book: "Few, perhaps none, of Company E's men from 1940 were serving with
1353-429: The residents' houses. Bradley said it was so crowded in those houses sometimes when the soldiers were sleeping, there would hardly be any walking room. Bradley also said a few of the troops were disrespectful towards the residents' land and crops, and would tear down crops for extra food. However, for the most part, residents and soldiers established good relations. During the exercises, 26 men died, most from drowning in
1394-610: The train via the Suwannee & San Pedro Railroad and arrived at Perry to escort a prisoner back to Live Oak on the awaiting train. The company encamped with all of the Florida State Troops at Camp Jennings in Jacksonville from 8 to 15 September 1903. Company E was disbanded in late 1912. The Suwannee Rifles were reorganized in April 1917 as Company E, 1st Florida Infantry after the Second Florida Regiment's service on
1435-409: The unit reorganized again as infantry, then as an armor company for thirteen years, and since December 1968 the Suwannee Rifles has been an engineer company. The Suwannee Rifles were established in 1884 in Live Oak, Suwannee County, Florida. In 1891, the Suwannee Rifles were organized in the Florida State Troops and designated Company D, 3rd Battalion of Infantry in 1892. In early 1893, L.K. Kemmerlin
1476-763: The unit was redesignated the same name, minus 2nd Platoon in Branford, Florida. It then became Company E, 154th Infantry, assigned to the 39th Infantry Division on 19 December 1921. The unit was redesignated Company E, 124th Infantry and assigned to the 31st Infantry Division on 1 July 1923. Company E participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers at Camp Beauregard from 4 August through 24, 1940 and then mobilized for one year of training at Camp Blanding on 25 November 1940 under command of CPT Mahone Rees with Lieutenants Frank M. Green, Jr., Albert E. Durrell, Louie C. Wadsworth, and 1SG Chalmer T. Yates. The 124th Infantry
1517-555: The war only one TD battalion ever fought in an engagement quite like that which had originally been envisaged, at the Battle of El Guettar . The tank destroyer command eventually numbered over 100,000 men and 80 battalions equipped with 36 tank destroyers or towed anti-tank guns each. Immediately after the war, the force was disbanded and the anti-tank role was formally taken over by the Infantry, Engineer and Armor branches. The exercise
1558-566: Was distinct from the forward placement of towed antitank guns assigned as a normal part of the Infantry Regiment. The Louisiana Maneuvers' data showed that the Infantry's AT guns took a much higher toll on "enemy" tanks than did the tank destroyer battalions' guns. However, the conclusion drawn was that a tank destroyer force of independent tank destroyer battalions should be raised. In actual practice during World War II, such massed enemy tank attacks rarely happened; indeed, throughout
1599-579: Was reappointed as a Second Lieutenant one year later on 27 June 1897. The Suwannee Rifles did their summer training at Camp Bloxham, Jacksonville in 1896 and then Camp Henderson, Tallahassee in 1897. At the start of the war with Spain, the twenty companies of the Florida State Troops were ordered to Tampa. The Suwannee Rifles left Live Oak on 12 May 1898 under command of Captain William L. Tedder with 1LT L. K. Kemmerlin, 2LT Willie H. Lyle, and 2LT Archer B. Hays. The company arrived in Tampa on 13 May and encamped in
1640-496: Was relieved from assignment to the 31st Division on 15 December 1941 and served as a model training unit for the Infantry School at Fort Benning , Georgia. The company was under command of 1LT Burnice H. Bell, with 1LT Albert E. Durrell and 2LT Marvin A. Turner and 163 enlisted men. The unit was then sent to Fort Jackson , South Carolina and inactivated 2 March 1944. By the time of their inactivation at Fort Jackson many of
1681-441: Was to advance upon and seize Shreveport, Louisiana. The Red force was much smaller and tasked largely with positional defense for a 100-mile zone south of the city. The Blue Army emerged victorious, due chiefly to General George S. Patton, who commanded the Blue 2nd Armored Division. Omar Bradley , who participated in the exercises, later said that Louisianans welcomed the soldiers with open arms. Some soldiers even slept in some of