With a proud military history, Laredo College has been at the forefront of building a stronger connection with veterans and neighboring members of the armed forces. The Texas State Guard (TXSG) has found a home on the Ft. McIntosh Campus where the facility is primarily used for scheduled trainings and drills usually held on weekends.
Colonel Armando Garza, TXSG commander of the 3rd Battalion 3rd Brigade, said that the Texas State Guard is a state defense force composed entirely of unpaid volunteers who live and work in the communities they serve. He noted that a core responsibility is to assist the civil authorities of Texas in areas such as disaster response, civil defense and active-duty support.
“Essentially, we ensure that a trained, organized military force is available locally and immediately to protect and serve our fellow Texans during times of crisis,” Garza said.
In 2005, the Laredo Battalion was under Garza’s command. During that time, they were activated and deployed to various places from Orange and Beaumont to San Antonio and Dallas to assist with evacuated victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Garza added that the TXSG has responded to assist during hurricanes Harvey, Laura, Ike, Dolly and more. He departed Laredo in 2007, and between 2008 and 2025, has served in various leadership positions throughout South Texas. He has since returned this year to lead the Laredo battalion once again.
Alongside his memorable military experience and emergency efforts, Garza is also a proud alumnus of Laredo College. Graduating in 1982 with an Associate of Applied Science in Import and Export, LC sees his return as a valuable example of the interconnectedness between LC and veteran support. He believes that the relationship is a clear win-win for the entire Laredo community.
Garza said that in an emergency that requires Laredo College to activate a shelter or evacuation point, the TXSG is trained and prepared to support those operations. Amid their training procedures, the atmosphere is professional, focused and dedicated to achieving mission readiness through practical exercises and classroom instruction.
In tandem with a strong training regimen, the location of the TXSG facility holds a multitude of advantages for a battalion whose mission is centered on emergency response. As members are local residents, there is a reduced mobilization time. This leads to quicker reporting, assembly and deployment.
Furthermore, the college provides varied spaces that allow the TXSG to simulate real-world emergency scenarios such as setting up a Mass Care Shelter or establishing a tactical Communications Center.
“In Laredo, our soldiers serve as the essential force multiplier for local emergency management and first responders. We provide personnel for duties such as staffing shelters, distributing supplies, conducting welfare checks and managing logistics during major events that overwhelm local resources,” he added. “Their dedication, particularly in the rigorous Dive and SAR programs, ensures Laredo has access to advanced recovery capabilities whenever the need arises.”