Puerto Rico State Guard The Puerto Rico State Guard ( PRSG ) is a voluntary professional military corps and one of the Major Subordinate Commands of the Puerto Rico Military Forces , which includes the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and the Puerto Rico Air National Guard . The PRSG respond directly to the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico , is commanded by a brigadier general and is composed of main units in San Juan metropolitan area and in the cities of Ponce ( South ) , Mayagüez ( West ) , and Caguas ( Center ) . The Puerto Rico State Guard is among the most active and largest State Defense Forces ( SDFs ) in the nation with almost 1 , 600 troops organized in 6 Support Groups , a separate SAR Company , a Military Academy , an Air Base Group and HHQs . The PRSG is the State Defense Force ( SDF ) of Puerto Rico and have the capability to support the Puerto Rico National Guard ( PRNG ) Operations in security operations , engineering , transportation , chaplaincy , emergency management , legal , and medical services among others operational areas . As part of the Puerto Rico National Guard Family the PRSG is also known as the State Command of the Puerto Rico National Guard . It is noteworthy that , along with Texas , California and New York , the PRSG is one of the few SDF ' s that has an Air Division that embrace the Air Force culture . The 1st Air Base Group , located at Muñiz Air National Guard Base , is an excellent example of integration and teamwork with the PRANG units . The 1st Air Base Group is composed of a Headquarters Squadron , a Mission Support Squadron ( Engineering Flight , Services Flight , Personnel Flight and Fire Fighter Flight ) , a Medical Squadron , a Security Forces Squadron , a Logistic Squadron ( Transportation Flight and Supply Flight ) and an Aerial Port Squadron . The State Defense Forces ( SDF ' s ) ( also known as state guards , state military reserves , or state militias ) in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government and they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau . SDF ’ s are authorized by state and federal law and are under the command of the governor of each state . The US Congress recognized the need for governors and States to keep military troops even if the President calls the state National Guard for federal military service . For that reason , the Congress authorize the SDF ’ s under Title 32 of the United States Code . History . The PRSG is direct offspring of the Spanish Volunteer Regiments created during Spanish Colonial which was later replaced by the US Volunteer Infantry in 1898 . The PRSG was created in 1941 in response to WWII . It disbanded in 1946 . The modern PRSG reformed in 1976 by the virtue of the Military Law of Puerto Rico it ' s considered the state controlled branch of the PRNG . This group was formed to provide Puerto Rico a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency or if the National Guard is deployed . The PRSG is the state ’ s authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Puerto Rico National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized . The PRSG comprises retired , active and reserve military personnel and selected professional persons who volunteer their time and talents in further service to their state . The modern PRSG reformed in 1976 by the virtue of the Military Code of Puerto Rico ( Law Num . 62 from June 23 , 1969 and amendments ) it ' s considered the state controlled branch of the PRNG . By Law the Puerto Rico State Guard is part of the Total Force and one of three components of the Puerto Rico Military Forces , reporting to The Puerto Rico Adjutant General . There are clear historical , legal , and practical justifications for strengthening the State Defense Forces . Since the founding of this country , militias have played a vital role in fulfilling the constitutional duty of providing for the common defense . Today , as strictly state forces , SDFs continue to provide subject matter expert and critical manpower at minimal cost . Role . The task of the PRSG is to offer support , in its totality , to the Puerto Rico National Guard ( PRNG ) when the later is activated by the Governor of Puerto Rico or called to active service by the President of the United States . The PRSG also represents the Puerto Rico National Guard in civic activities , and supports the PRNG in cases of emergencies . With the approved resources , the State Guard of Puerto Rico will be able to recruit and to train personnel to provide the security and defense with the armories ; as well as to assist the civilian authorities in cases of natural disasters , emergencies and serious disturbances of public order . These volunteers will offer support and provide services to the community by means of health clinics . In the PRSG , there is a large representation of prior service soldiers with extensive combat and command experience as well as non - priors with significant professional and paramilitary backgrounds which greatly enhance the organization . A large proportion of PRSG soldiers are active members of State Guard Association of the United States ( SGAUS ) and a few senior officers and NCOs hold leadership positions in the organization . The PRSG have been a very active force multiplier for the PRNG , supporting Federal mobilizations ( legal and medical support ) , and its current mission is to assist the National Guard especially in concern to homeland security and SAR duties ( natural disasters , civil disturbances , communities service and facilities management ) . PRSG ranks are official State ranks but not Federal ranks . All appointments , commissions , warrants , and enlistments are recognized and authorized by the Governor of Puerto Rico through the Adjutant General of PR . The PRSG military personnel render to all members of the military community , and receive from them , all courtesies common to all such members , such as saluting , and forms of address . The PRSG is the state ’ s authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Puerto Rico National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized . The PRSG comprises retired , active and reserve military personnel and selected professional persons who volunteer their time and talents in further service to their state . Unlike the Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary , the PRSG is a statutory military entity of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with each PRSG member subject to parts of the Uniform Code of Military Justice ( UCMJ ) per the Military Code of Puerto Rico . In the PRSG , there is a large representation of prior service soldiers with extensive combat and command experience as well as non - priors with significant professional and paramilitary backgrounds which greatly enhance the organization . A large proportion of PRSG soldiers are active members of State Guard Association of the United States ( SGAUS ) and some senior officers and NCOs hold leadership positions in the organization . Generally , the PRSG soldiers and airmen don ’ t receive paid for drills , UTA ’ s or Annual Training . However , because the PRSG is a state military force , members are subject to call to state active duty by the governor . When that happens , PRSG members are paid at the same rate of pay for their rank or grade as their National Guard counterparts . The law also grant employment protection to any person that belongs to Puerto Rico State Guard and that because of it to be absent from employment , for State Active Duty or training . This major command was formed to provide Puerto Rico a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency or if the National Guard is deployed . The PRSG is the state ’ s authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Puerto Rico National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized . The PRSG comprises retired , active and reserve military personnel and selected professional persons who volunteer their time and talents in further service to their state . The PRSG is organized in the following subordinates units : • Four ( 4 ) Army Support Groups • The 1st Air Base Group • The Medical Group • The Engineering Group • The Search & Rescue Company • The Military Academy The PRSG Military Academy offers specialized and general training to its soldiers . Some examples of training offered either at state or local levels include : • Basic Military Training • Basic and Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Training • Basic and Advanced Officer Training • Community Emergency Response Team ( CERT ) given in concert with FEMA / DHS • Military Emergency Management Specialist ( MEMS ) Certification • The PRSG also have a nationally recognized Marksmanship Training Unit that has represent the PRNG on multiple rifle & pistol matches . Bibliography . Two out of print books deal extensively with the history of the PRSG :