To respond to migrants, Florida sought weapons training for special State Guard unit

Trainees were to be taught to provide immediate treatment under the threat of an active shooter or other dangers. They were to be taught that the “most effective way to reduce morbidity and mortality is the precise application of combat fires by all personnel.”

“Continue the mission, gain fire superiority, then treat casualties,” the draft training program says.

To graduate from the course, recruits were tested and had to successfully show “proficiency in all aspects” of the training program and demonstrate that they would be able to use these skills without instructor assistance, as well as why and when to execute the skills.

Stronghold touts having trained various special force units, such as Army Rangers, and police officers. It also lists Eddie Gallagher, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who was accused of war crimes, as one of its instructors. It is unclear whether Gallagher participated in the State Guard members’ training.

Growing the State Guard

The State Guard was initially revived by the Legislature, at DeSantis’ request, to support the state’s overworked National Guard. Since then, the State Guard’s scope has expanded from 400 volunteers to 1,500, and adopted a militaristic approach that turned off military veterans who attended its first training class, in June. About 120 State Guard volunteers graduated that month.

DeSantis activated the State Guard for the first time in more than 75 years after Hurricane Idalia hit the Big Bend area in August. The governor activated them again to respond to severe weather this weekend.