State Guard Association of the United States

What State Guard Association of the United States does

The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1983 that supports State Defense Forces (SDFs) — uniformed state military units established under Title 32, Section 109 of the U.S. Code. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the organization is the only national association exclusively representing SDFs and serves as the premier training and advocacy institution for the segment, with board representation across 18+ states including Alaska, California, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Texas, and Puerto Rico. SGAUS operates with a small staff of 1-10 employees, governed by an Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and a wholly-owned SGAUS Foundation that administers scholarships.

SGAUS's core offering is a portfolio of 12+ specialized training academies that deliver standardized, FEMA-aligned certification programs for SDF members across disciplines including Military Emergency Management (MEMS), Cyber Defense, Medical, Chaplain, Engineer, Communications, HazMat, Search & Rescue, SUASO (Drone), Legal, and Recruiting & Retention. Supporting products include the Senior Officer Leader Course (SOLC), Professional Military Education (PME), the FEMA Supplemental Response Team (SRT) Qualification System, badges and awards programs, and the annual training convention. The academies use tiered badge progression (Basic, Instructor, Advanced/SME, Program Manager) aligned to FEMA NIMS/NQS standards, qualifying members for paid federal activations through the FEMA SRT Program.

Revenue is generated through individual membership dues ($10 student, $25 enlisted, $35 officer, $40 general officer, $500 lifetime), corporate membership tiers ($500 bronze to $2,000 platinum), convention and training registration ($95 gala, $175 convention, $250 all-access), merchandise sales through the SGAUS online store, and event sponsorships (up to $20,000 for the Legacy Conference Dinner). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through sgaus.org, with the annual convention rotating across major cities (Tampa 2025, Baltimore 2026) and earned media in military publications such as National Guard Magazine. SGAUS conducts advocacy with FEMA, DHS, and Congress on behalf of member SDFs, formalizing pathways for paid federal activation and federal recognition of SDF capabilities.

Name

State Guard Association of the United States

Legal name

State Guard Association of the United States

Website

https://sgaus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SGAUS is a 40-year-old nonprofit membership association supporting U.S. State Defense Forces under Title 32 §109. It operates 12+ specialized training academies delivering FEMA-aligned certifications in cyber, medical, communications, and emergency management across 18+ states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Military Training and Education

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAKAOAA

General Security Officer (Unarmed) Training & Certification

Business & Public Services/Security & Investigations Services/Training & Certification for Security Personnel

SECONDARYEDADAEAD

Qualifications & Credit Framework Authorities

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Standards, Curriculum Frameworks & Learning Outcomes Authorities

SECONDARYBPADAKAL

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Education & Skills Development Programs

Keywords

• Military training academies
• Emergency management training
• Disaster response services
• Professional military education
• State defense forces

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Fees: Annual membership dues at multiple tiers: Student ($10), Enlisted/NCO ($25), Officer/Civilian ($35), General Officer ($40), and Lifetime ($500).
2. Corporate Memberships: Corporate digital visibility packages at Bronze ($500), Silver ($1,000), Gold ($1,500), and Platinum ($2,000) levels, plus Legacy Conference Dinner Sponsorship at $20,000.
3. Convention and Training Registration: Revenue from convention registration including All-Access Pass ($250), Convention Pass ($175), and Gala Only ($95). Additional training course fees for 40-hour academy courses.
4. Merchandise Sales: Online store sales of badges, medals, awards, and SGAUS merchandise including uniform items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SGAUS is a nonprofit membership association that delivers standardized military training and certification programs for State Defense Forces through 12+ specialized academies (MEMS, Cyber, Medical, Chaplain, Engineer, Communications, HazMat, Search & Rescue, SUASO/Drone, Legal, Recruiting & Retention, PME) aligned with FEMA NIMS/NQS standards. It also provides federal advocacy, an annual training convention, badge/awards programs, individual and corporate memberships, and pathways to paid federal activation through the FEMA Supplemental Response Team Program.

Product overview

The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) is a non-profit membership organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of training academies and professional development programs for State Defense Forces. The core offering consists of 12 specialized academies (MEMS, PME, Cyber, Chaplain, Search & Rescue, Medical, Engineer, HazMat, Communications, SUASO/Drone, Legal, and Recruiting & Retention) that provide tiered badge certification programs aligned with FEMA NIMS/NQS standards and national professional requirements. Supporting offerings include the Senior Officer Leader Course (SOLC), FEMA SRT Qualification resources, badges and awards recognition programs, corporate and individual membership tiers, annual conventions, and foundation scholarships. The academies collectively function as a professionalization system for SDF workforce, enabling members to achieve paid activation opportunities through verifiable credentials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SGAUS Academy: Training and certification programs for State Defense Forces including MEMS Academy, Cyber Academy, Medical Academy, Chaplain Academy, Engineer Academy, Communications Academy, Search and Rescue Academy, HazMat Academy, SUASO Drone Academy, Legal Academy, and Recruiting & Retention Academy.

Products and services

• MEMS Academy (Military Emergency Management Specialist) Flagship academy providing standardized military emergency management training and certification aligned to FEMA NQS/NIMS standards; qualifies SDF members for FEMA NQS positions and the MEMS badge. Intended for State Defense Force service members and emergency response personnel.
• Senior Officer Leader Course (SOLC) Online interactive course mirroring active duty senior leadership training at the strategic MEL-1 level, focused on Defense Support of Civil Authority (DSCA) and Homeland Defense missions. Targets senior officers in State Defense Forces.
• SGAUS Cyber Defense Academy Cyber defense training and certification program aligned with DoD Cyberspace Workforce Framework standards, offering Basic, Senior, and Advanced badge levels for SDF cyber units and military veterans.
• Medical Academy Medical proficiency standardization program under BG David Cohen (Ret.) that qualifies SDF personnel for the Expert Medical Badge.
• Chaplain / Behavioral Health Chaplaincy Specialist Academy Training program for spiritual leaders focusing on disaster ministry and operational support to ease suffering during crises.
• Engineer Specialty Qualification Designation (ESQiD) Academy Professional engineering support operations training establishing credentialed technical experts for critical infrastructure assessment and hazard mitigation.
• Emergency Communications (Commo) Academy Interoperable communications training ensuring information continuity between agencies during infrastructure failures.
• PME Academy (Professional Military Education) Professional military education providing standardized leadership and command training courses including Command and Staff Course levels I and II.
• Search & Rescue Academy Specialized training for search and rescue operations aligned with NASAR standards, qualifying personnel for SARTECH certifications.
• HazMat Academy Hazardous materials response training for CBRNE doctrine.
• SUASO (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations) Drone Academy Premier credentialing body for SDF drone operators, aligning with FEMA NIMS standards and FAA regulations; qualifies personnel for Technical Specialist sUAS and sUAS Pilot NIMS certifications.
• Legal Academy Legal counseling training aligned with FEMA Skillset 1019, preparing Legal Officers to qualify as FEMA NIMS Legal Specialists for emergency declarations and procurement.
• Recruiting and Retention Academy Force generation training using the Two Sides of the Coin philosophy, qualifying personnel for the Certified Recruiting and Retention Specialist (CRRS) designation and SDF Recruiting & Retention Badge.
• FEMA SRT Qualification Resource Online quick-reference guide covering FEMA National Qualification System requirements for 10 key Supplemental Response Team roles from Section Chiefs to Unit Leaders.
• Individual Membership Annual individual memberships at five tiers (Student $10, Enlisted/NCO $25, Officer/Civilian $35, General Officer $40, and Lifetime $500) providing access to the SGAUS community, training resources, and convention discounts.
• Corporate Membership Packages Corporate partnership tiers (Bronze $500, Silver $1,000, Gold $1,500, Platinum $2,000) providing digital visibility on the SGAUS website, conference signage, swag bag placement, gala tickets, and newsletter recognition; plus exclusive Legacy Conference Dinner Sponsorship at $20,000.
• Annual Convention and Training Conference Annual training conference with classes, gala dinner, and networking. Registration: All-Access $250 (includes training courses, all convention activities, and gala dinner), Convention Pass $175, Gala Only $95.
• Badges and Awards Program Recognition program including Soldier/Sailor, NCO, Officer, and Civilian of the Year awards, various service awards, and order of precedence for decorations.
• SGAUS Foundation Scholarship Annual scholarship awarded by the SGAUS Foundation to support educational aspirations of State Guard members and their families.

Quantifiable outcome

• SGAUS recognized by White House in 2024 for commitment to train 10,000 veterans in cybersecurity.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• National Foundation for Integrative Medicine (NFIM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2025SGAUS and NFIM announced a Teaming Agreement on May 22, 2025 in Tampa, FL to collaborate on the InForm™ health verification platform. This partnership will integrate NFIM's innovative touchless Point of Distribution (POD) solution into SGAUS's HURREX JOAN hurricane exercise scheduled for November 7, 2025. The platform enables verification of health information, lab tests, pharmaceutical history, and immunizations through citizens' cell phones. The technology was developed by the Department of Defense and proven at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Reserve Organization of America (ROA): ROA is a direct peer as a national military reserve association providing advocacy, professional development, and training resources to reserve component service members. It shares SGAUS's membership-association model, federal advocacy role, and focus on uniformed-service professionalization outside the active-duty mainstream.
• National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS): NGAUS is the most direct peer: a national membership association advocating for and providing training/education to a parallel state-based uniformed military force (the National Guard) under Title 32. Like SGAUS, it operates through state associations, runs annual conferences, and engages in federal advocacy — differing mainly in that it represents federalized Guard forces rather than purely state defense forces.
• Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS): EANGUS is a direct peer operating as the national enlisted association for National Guard members, offering training, scholarships, advocacy, and an annual conference. It mirrors SGAUS's structure of state-affiliated chapters feeding into a national body and engaging federal policymakers on Guard issues.

Broad incumbents

• International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM): IAEM is a broad-incumbent peer offering certification (Certified Emergency Manager), training, and annual conferences for the civilian emergency management profession. It is comparable to SGAUS's MEMS/SAR academies as a credentialing body, though IAEM focuses on civilian emergency managers rather than uniformed SDF members.
• Association of the United States Army (AUSA): AUSA is a broad incumbent in the professional military association space — providing training, conferences, publications, and advocacy for the U.S. Army community. While broader in scope than SGAUS, it operates a similar membership/conference/professional-development model and is a benchmark for SGAUS's training and recognition programs.
• National Emergency Management Association (NEMA): NEMA is a broad-incumbent peer in emergency management — the federal/state coordinating body for emergency management directors. It overlaps with SGAUS's MEMS Academy curriculum, NIMS alignment, and state-level emergency response training mission, but at the policy and program-management level rather than uniformed-force training.

Others

• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX): TEEX is an adjacent training provider delivering FEMA-aligned emergency response, HazMat, rescue, and incident management courses nationally. It competes/overlaps with SGAUS's MEMS, HazMat, and SAR academies at the curriculum level and represents a more established alternative training pathway.

Emerging players

• Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA): MCPA is an emerging/niche peer that overlaps with SGAUS on cyber defense training and recognition (including awarding the Order of Thor to a Maryland Defense Force member). It focuses specifically on the military cyber workforce, a discipline where SGAUS now competes via its Cyber Defense Academy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/100091453099478
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/state-guard-association-of-the-united-states

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles34 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about State Guard Association of the United States