Maryland Defense Force
BENEFITS
Volunteering in the Maryland Defense Force in itself is a selfless act motivated by the desire to support and assist the state of Maryland and help fellow Marylanders. The Governor, The Adjutant General, and the MDDF leadership understand the sacrifice, dedication, and time volunteers invest in this endeavor and are committed to recognizing these selfless acts and those that go above and beyond the normal call of duty by integrating in the MDDF experience a benefits framework of awards and recognition, professional development, and promotions.
The Maryland Defense Force offers some of the soft skill benefits that the U.S. Armed Forces offer without having to join the military and making it an ideal place to be part of something important, wear the uniform, and gain the skills, experience, and abilities that many employers look for and individuals need to help them achieve personal and professional goals.
Professional Development and Education
Leadership
Many of our members joined because the MDDF offers the opportunity to acquire and develop leadership and management skills. It's not a secret that military institutions are well known for developing confident and well balanced leaders that can excel in many environments and business settings. Organizations in both the private and public sector welcome individuals with military experience and leadership skills capable of helping the organization achieve their objectives. MDDF service members learn leadership skills through mentoring, focused training, leadership positions, supervising and leading other members, managing projects, executing missions, and managing property just to name a few.
Leadership Courses
The 27th Training Battalion is the MDDF's University and it is responsible for providing the necessary training courses for future leaders. As each individual's level of responsibility grows and new skills and knowledge are required, volunteers will prepare for the next promotion by completing the required leadership training. The MDDF offers the following leadership courses for enlisted personnel and officers:
Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Basic Leaders Course
NCO Advanced Leaders Course
NCO Senior Leaders Course
Basic Officer Leaders Course
Captain's Career Course
Command and Staff Course
Mission Command Course
Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) Academy
Members of the U.S. Uniformed Services and State Guards increasingly have been mobilized to respond to natural and man-made disasters and other emergencies. Military and civilian authorities now see an urgent need to provide additional and improved emergency management training for personnel deployed during disasters. The MEMS certification prepares personnel to function in any of the positions at an Incident Command Post, Joint Operations Center (JOC), Tactical Operations Center (TOC), Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)or civilian responses during a local or statewide emergency mobilization. The MEMS Academy offers certification for Basic, Senior, Master and Liaison Officer (LNO) Military Emergency Management Specialists and confers the appropriate insignia. Individuals with Basic MEMS certificates will have operational understanding of the principles of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and recovery with knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to effectively work within a comprehensive emergency management operation. Those with Senior and Master level certificates will be able to lead and plan incident response efforts of increasing complexity. Members with the LNO certificate will be able to work within any EOC.
Promotions
Just like in any job, getting promoted is a recognition of your performance and affirmation that you are doing many things right. Promotions are not given, they are earned with exemplary work and demonstrated leadership potential, unwavering ethics, self-growth, accountability, presence, and many other attributes that make great leaders. Promotions mean increased responsibility and sometimes more work, but it also means the opportunity to achieve new goals, overcome new challenges, and make a different set of contributions to the organization, the team, and the state. The benefits lie in these new opportunities of growth, progression, and innovation. The opportunity that is yours alone to make a lasting positive impact that you will be proud of for years to come.
Capitol Technology University Tuition Discount
The Maryland Defense Force has partnered with Capitol Technology University in Laurel, MD (formerly known as Capitol College) to grant MDDF members a significant tuition discount equivalent to that of active duty military personnel of approximately 70% off undergraduate courses, 40% off Masters courses, and 13% of Doctoral courses.
Capitol Technology University has a distinguished history as one of the pioneers in distance learning and was among the first to establish an Information Assurance (Cyber) degree program.
(NSA Center of Academic Excellence)
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Awards and Decorations
"Few inventions could be more happily calculated to diffuse the knowledge and preserve the memory of illustrious characters and splendid events, than medals.” These words written in 1787 expressed the feelings of the Continental Congress in March 1776 when they instituted the tradition of awarding military medals as the highest distinction of national appreciation for our military heroes. (Ref: Military Medals of America)
The awarding of medals remains one of the most time-honored, cherished, and sacred traditions in the culture and history of the U.S. military. The MDDF awards medals to volunteers that have demonstrated exemplary acts of bravery, gallantry, heroism, or meritorious service. Awards are worn on the left side of the chest and tell the story of accomplishments and efforts made above the normal call of duty. They inspire others to do the same or more and communicates the person's leadership and capability to achieve objectives.
Soldier / Noncommissioned Officer / Officer of the Year
Each year the Maryland Defense Force selects three Service Members as the winners of the MDDF's Soldier, NCO, and Officer of the Year. This is an exceptional honor for the Service Members selected who represent the year's best the MDDF has to offer. The selection is not be taken lightly or without due consideration. Each individual selected for this honor must have consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, performance, military bearing and appearance. The individuals selected are role models in their units and this recognition serves as inspiration to other volunteers and examples of selfless service.
Along with their winners from the Army and Air National Guards, the MDDF Honorees are invited to meet the Governor of the Great State of Maryland, The Adjutant General, and other dignitaries during ceremonies where the winners are given awards and citations.
MD Income Tax Subtraction Modification for Public Safety Volunteers
MDDF members that are residents of the state of Maryland may qualify and be eligible for the Public Safety Volunteers MD Income Tax Subtraction Modification Program. The deduction amount for the 2023 tax year is $7,000, and if approved for 2024 tax year the amount will be $10,000.
To qualify the MDDF Service Member must be a Maryland tax-payer and achieve sufficient points in the tax year the deduction is granted. The Member must be on Active Duty status with the Maryland Defense Force for thirty-six (36) months, during the last ten (10) calendar years by 31 December of the taxable year.
ACTIVE DUTY STATUS POINTS SYSTEM:
Active Duty status will be based on an activity points system. Activity Points may be earned by participation in the following: (by law, points must be earned in at least two categories)
• Annual Muster attendance = 25 points
• Drill = one hour = one point one hour
• Mission Activities = one hour = one point one hour
• Training = one hour = one point one hour
A Service Member must accumulate a minimum of 100 points annually to achieve "Active Member Status."