Maryland Defense Force

To provide competent supplemental professional and technical support to the Maryland Military Department (MMD) and the Maryland National Guard (MDNG) as required.

Vision
An organization of excellence dedicated to defend and serve the Nation, State, and Communities within Maryland.

Values
Integrity First
Service Before Self
Excellence In All We Do

MDDF Missions

Adjunct Training
In general, the members of the MDDF are individuals who have recently been released or retired from active duty, and who have current skills and expertise involving military doctrine, hardware, or training. These individuals figure more prominently in the non-emergency role of the MDDF, and are available, as requested, to the various units of the MDNG during the normal Unit Training Assemblies. These persons are the trainers, mechanics, or unit commanders who were retired yesterday, either because of age or length of service, but who still have a great deal to offer. In an emergency, these members may supplement Technical Assistance activities.

Cavalry Unit
Troop A, Maryland Defense Force provides the Maryland Military Department with a ceremonial unit that is a visible link to the horse cavalry units of the past, while supporting recruiting and public relations efforts of both the National Guard and Defense Force.

Chaplain Services
An organized and dedicated Chaplain Corps assists MDNG members, their families, and the community at large. When not activated for emergency state service, the individuals in this command provide chaplain support, as requested, to the several MDNG units throughout the state. Such support may include individual counseling, and the provision of regular Unit Training Assembly religious services all the way down to the company level.

Engineering Services
The Maryland Defense Force Engineer Corps provides a professional organized, trained, disciplined, uniformed rapid response volunteer force of engineers of all disciplines to assist the Maryland Military Department, state and local government agencies, and civil relief organizations in response to any impending or actual emergency.

Legal Services
Judge advocates in the Directorate of Legal Services are called upon to serve each of the 23 counties in Maryland in order to ensure "local" coverage for every MDNG member and his or her family.
When not activated for emergency state service, the individuals in this directorate of the MDDF provide legal assistance, as requested, to the several MDNG units throughout the state. Such activities may include the preparation of wills and powers-of-attorney, the delivery of required legal training and lectures, and support to the state military justice system.

Medical Services
When not activated for emergency state service, the individuals in the 10th Medical Regiment provide assistance, as requested, to the several units of the Maryland National Guard throughout the state. Such activities may include assistance with periodic physical examinations, conducting first aid and related training, and/or presenting required medical lectures.

Technical Assistance
Just as the National Guard provides added value to the regular forces, the individuals in the MDDF offer experience and expertise in fields that are either undermanned or under funded in the MDNG. These individuals are recruited from the private sector in areas such as information technology, communications, transportation maintenance, construction, and finance. MDDF personnel may have years of experience in their particular field and be ready, at a moment's notice, to lend their expertise to the MMD and the MDNG. When not activated for emergency state service, the individuals in this command are available to provide advice and training to the MDNG as requested.

Additional Missions
The maturity and experience of the members of the MDDF make them more than eligible for participation in almost any function related to support for the families of deployed MDNG soldiers and airmen. In addition, the MDDF could develop expertise in storm identification, and storm or disaster-related damage assessment. Both of these skills are taught by outside agencies (NOAA and the Red Cross, respectively) at little or no cost to the state. Given today's environment and the emphasis on "Homeland Defense," the scope of missions for this new organization is limited only by the imagination.