That's Coropral Hinckley to you!

My wonderful and amazing husband has decided to enlist in the Texas State Guard! I am so very proud of him and this decision! Just in case you don't know what the TXSG is, just like we didn't about a month ago, here is a brief description taken from their website:
The Texas State Guard (TXSG) is one of three branches of the Texas Military Forces (TXMF), reporting to The Texas Adjutant General located at Texas Military Forces HQ, Camp Mabry (Austin), Texas. The Commander in Chief of the Texas Military Forces is the Governor of Texas. The other two branches are the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) and the Texas Air National Guard (TXANG).

I have been wanting to post this for several weeks now, but have not really known what to say. There is such a range of emotions and a wealth of information... so for this post I'll just stick with the facts as best I know them:

• This is a volunteer group, so unless he is called up to active duty there will be no pay
• He will report for his first day of training and be sworn in next Saturday, the 25th of April
• Almost all training takes place on the weekends, so it won't interfere with his paying career too much
• He has already been rewarded the rank of Corporal. We're not sure what exactly that's based on, but know his college degree and Eagle Scout rank have something to do with it.
• he is a part of the 2nd (something...battalion, platoon, unit....????) based out of Arlington
• He WILL NOT be assigned a weapon, unless on active duty and absolutely necessary. He will be trained on a 9mm (I think)
• Most often he will be called to active duty as a result of a natural disaster (flood, hurricane, tornado, etc)
• Last year they were called to active duty three times. Two of these times were just for a couple of days and the third was for two weeks...Hurricane Ike. Most years they are not called this often and most times they will not stay two weeks.
• They report to the State, so it is not likely for him to be sent out of state, much less out of the country...but the TXSG does reserve that right.
• From the sounds of it when he is on active duty he will be running storm or medical shelters or assisting in securing areas. I'm under the impression he will be working closely with the Red Cross and with the National Guard...but that's just an impression.
• He will be required to wear military uniform. We have not yet purchased this (they're not supplied to them, can you believe that ?!?!) so I don't have any pictures...but trust me, they will be coming!

I think that's all the facts I have as of right now. I will be writing posts about my feelings and his experiences as I am able. In the meantime...I'm very proud of Greg and his desire to serve others in this way!