South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 80 - THE SOUTH CAROLINA MARITIME SECURITY COMMISSION AND NAVAL MILITIA › Section 80-010 - Organization of the SCNM

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
1. The SCNM is organized, trained and equipped under direction of the Commander, SCNM (COMSCNM), pursuant to Federal and State law, conforming with the table of organization, policies, standards, and training requirements established by the Secretary of Navy and by COMSCNM.
2. The Commander, South Carolina Naval Militia (COMSCNM) ranking officer will be a one star flag officer who reports administratively and operationally to the South Carolina Maritime Security Commission (SCMSC). The Adjutant General of South Carolina is acknowledged as the ranking military officer of the State of South Carolina but is not in the SCNM administrative or operational chain-of-command. COMSCNM will recommend appointments of all officers to the state ranks. Upon approval, they will be commissioned by the Governor. COMSCNM will appoint personnel to state enlisted rates. These commissions (officers) or certificates (enlisted) will be executed by the Chairman, SCMSC on behalf of the Governor. Personnel holding state commissions or appointments may wear uniforms pursuant to coordination with respective services, custom and tradition, and in accordance with SCNM regulations.
3. COMSCNM is responsible to and reports to the SCMSC. COMSCNM will establish a staff with standard naval structure that may include but not limited to deputy commander, chief of staff, special liaisons and task forces, admin, intelligence, operations, logistics/supply, communications, training, plans/requirements, legal, public affairs (including ceremonial units), and senior enlisted and other advisers deemed necessary to the efficient and effective functioning of the Naval Militia.
4. COMSCNM is authorized to execute Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with appropriate administrative and operational entities as pertains to the operations and functions of the SCNM. These MOUs will be witnessed by the Chairman, SCMSC.
5. There shall be three divisions to the SCNM:
(a) Division I shall constitute the Reserve Services Division. It will be comprised of members of the U. S. Naval Reserve, the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, and the U. S. Coast Guard Reserve as authorized by a memorandum of understanding between the Coast Guard, Navy and the SCMSC. Such reservists residing in or drilling in the State of South Carolina are authorized to join the SCNM but shall do so voluntarily and on a not-to-interfere basis with their assigned duties and responsibilities in their regular Reserve component.
(b) Division II shall constitute the Merchant Marine Division. It will be comprised of personnel who are eligible to serve on United States merchant vessels because they are licensed and/or certificated by the U. S. Coast Guard. Such personnel shall voluntarily be enrolled in the SCNM. Unless otherwise entitled to military rank and rating privileges based upon prior active duty status as directed by COMSCNM, members of Division II will not be uniformed. The Volunteer Port Security Force (VPSF), although comprised of vessels and not personnel specifically identified by name, is considered part of Division II.
(c) Division III shall constitute the Support Division. It will be comprised of qualified volunteers who are not eligible for membership in Divisions I or II, but who wish to offer their services voluntarily to fill specific SCNM administrative or operational functions. The organization and structure of Division III shall be in conformance with COMSCNM directives.