This is an article by Stephen Kastensmidt, Scott C. Lanham, and John T. “Tim” Briery, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, September 10, 2025.
Core to homeland security are institutions such as active-duty military, the National Guard, FEMA, and local first responders. Complementing these core institutions, however, are three often underrecognized forces that provide consistent, often uncompensated support: the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and State Guard units.
Learn more about statutory roles, operational responsibilities, and vital resources that these forces offer from the perspective of three senior leaders actively engaged in their operations.
Stephen Kastensmidt
Auxiliarist Stephen Kastensmidt, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, CEM, CGEMC, is a well-seasoned emergency manager who has helped build teams across agencies, industries, and continents. He holds a Coast Guard Emergency Management Credential and multiple FEMA All-Hazards certifications.
Scott C. Lanham
First Lieutenant Scott C. Lanham, CAP, is a special operations veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a retired police and fire officer. He serves in both Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. In his day job, he is an intelligence, security, and crisis management professional for a major multinational corporation.
John T. “Tim” Briery
Major John T. “Tim” Briery currently serves as the S-3 Operations Officer for 3rd Area Command of the Louisiana State Guard. He is also the State Director for the Louisiana Military Emergency Management Specialist Academy. Maj. Briery is a member of the State Guard Association of the United States and holds its Military Emergency Management Specialist-Master Certification. He is also a member of the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association and the International Association of Emergency Managers and holds certifications as a Louisiana Emergency Manager and a FEMA All-Hazards Liaison. Maj. Briery has a B.A. from Louisiana State University (LSU), an M.S. in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at LSU Shreveport, pursuing an Ed.D. in leadership studies with a concentration in Emergency Management.
