Bill Tallen

I’ve written on this topic twice here, during each of the last two legislative sessions. There is an ongoing effort to persuade our state government to organize the Wyoming State Guard. Progress has been slow — sort of like watching ice that’s about to melt. But we’re not giving up.

Ongoing events in the Middle East only emphasize the importance of improving our readiness for what have long seemed unlikely threats. In previous columns, I’ve described the rationality of adversaries who avoid fighting against our strengths, and look for the asymmetrical approach of attacking where we are weak instead. Thus far, the home front threat — except for our uncivil intramural disorders — has not materialized. We should use the time available to us to close gaps and improve our readiness for what may come.

Sen. Dan Laursen has now twice presented amendments to the existing Wyoming State Guard statutes that would align them with current federal law and clear the path forward. These are modest, cost-free enabling measures, but his bills have not made it to a floor vote. Third time had better be the charm, because we don’t know how much time we have.

At the Military Affairs Committee hearing in Cheyenne last February, Dan and I both spoke in support of his bill, and were joined by Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, Adjutant General of Wyoming and commander of our National Guard. He supports the organization of the State Guard, out of concern over the limited manpower available in state and local agencies to address the formal, in-state missions of the National Guard if most or all our soldiers and airmen are mobilized and deployed elsewhere by the federal government. The state missions of the National Guard are protection of life and property, emergency relief and support, search and rescue, infrastructure protection, and maintenance of vital public services.

A Wyoming State Guard is authorized by federal law (32 US Code §109) and Wyoming statutes (Title 19). As a second branch of the state’s constitutional organized militia, it would differ from the National Guard in two significant ways. It would be a volunteer force, paid only if called to active duty by the governor; and it would receive no federal funds or equipment, would not be subject to federal oversight or control, and could never be activated into federal service. 

Size, composition, training, and capabilities of our State Guard can be determined by the state; existing statutes are sparse and can be amended if necessary. State Guard forces across the country contain a wide variety of combat, combat support, technical, and civil support organizations. We can do it our way. Wyoming law calls for the formation of a “council of defense” (in modern terms this would be a task force established by the governor through an executive order), to provide planning, structure, and guidance before any further action. That could start right now, if we have the will.

While the State Guard would have a clear chain of command through the Adjutant General to the governor, Wyoming needs a decentralized force with local autonomy. We are very thin on the ground, for responding to or recovering from natural or “man-made” disasters of any type. We have lots of ground to cover, long response times, challenging seasonal weather and road conditions, and too few responders for long duration, resource intensive events like last year’s wildfires, or multiple simultaneous or overlapping incidents that would compete for scarce resources. 

The old colonial model of a company or smaller detachment in each county, seeded by a state-commissioned captain and a senior sergeant, makes sense for Wyoming. These cadres could then recruit qualified local volunteers according to standards established by the state. Recruitment, vetting, and rank can recognize and leverage prior military training, education, experience and abilities. We should not assume we have years to stand this up. If improvisation under crisis conditions becomes necessary, we should at least have a foundation. 

Wyoming has a strong tradition of volunteer organizations like county search and rescue teams and volunteer fire departments. A properly organized, well-led State Guard would benefit from the same volunteer spirit, and from our big pool of military veterans who could give a long head start in its training and effectiveness. 

Aside from the benefits of a pool of sworn, capable, locally based manpower to support the National Guard, law enforcement, and other agencies in “normal” times (wildfires, tunnel fires, horse wrecks, blizzards and black ice all come to mind), there are present threats to our safety and security, for which we are ill-prepared. When war comes again, as it will eventually, the home front will likely resemble Oct. 7, 2023, with widespread attacks on our fellow citizens and infrastructure. Irregular, asymmetric, and unrestricted warfare will define the battlefield. To deter, detect, disrupt, or defend against these kinds of threats, we will need more than a lone deputy 30 minutes away, a single trooper an hour out, or even a pick-up crew of earnest but disorganized citizens without communications or recognized authority. Better to be ready, before danger approaches.