COLUMBIA, S.C. – Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Mullikin, commander of the S.C. State Guard (SCSG), received his second star during ceremonies at the historic Olympia Armory in Columbia, S.C., earlier this month.
The promotion comes less than two months after the disastrous thousand-year flooding event that struck the Palmetto State in Oct. In that event, the SCSG (an all-volunteer state defense force) was recognized as a vital organization in its support of the S.C. National Guard, the state’s various law enforcement agencies and other state emergency response entities.
“This 1000-year rainstorm – known as an ‘atmospheric river’ and often referred to as a ‘fire-hose’ – was responsible for precipitation ranging to 27.15 inches over several days,” says Mullikin. “But through the heroic actions of so many we were able to mitigate the disaster.”
He adds, “The coordinated response of the S.C. State Guard and National Guard under the strong leadership of Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston (S.C.’s adjutant general) and Gov. Nikki Haley harnessed this spirit to sharply reduce the impact of this event.”
In addition to his duties as SCSG commander, Mullikin is founder and pres. of the Mullikin Law Firm and Global Eco Adventures. He is an internationally recognized environmental attorney, author, lecturer, adjunct professor, global expedition leader, and former U.S. Army JAG lawyer (USAR) where his posts have included trial counsel and international legal officer to the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), followed by a stint with the S.C. Military Dept.'s Joint Services Det.
Among his military decorations – the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal and several other federal and state decorations – Mullikin has earned military parachutist badges from several foreign airborne forces worldwide; and among his laurels, he was awarded the title, HONORARY GREEN BERET.
Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.), MEDAL OF HONOR recipient, who attended the SCSG’s Nov. Drill and recognized the extraordinary service of the SCSG during the flood, had previously said “Tom Mullikin, and those like him who have climbed many of the world's great summits, is a model of perseverance.”
Another Gen. Livingston - Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston – who serves as the state’s adjutant general and commanding general of the S.C. Military Dept. – promoted Mullikin, Dec. 5, 2015.
"To be sure, command of the State Guard brings with it a great responsibility that I hold dear not only to the men and women of this historic organization, but to the Adjutant General whom I serve, and the people of South Carolina,” says Mullikin. “It is also a personal privilege in that the lives and work of these men and women – all from varying professions and many with extensive prior military experience – have intersected with – and blessed – my own in ways that are beyond adequate description.
These volunteers have proven themselves more than able to handle every task put before them from the little-known ongoing services provided to the state, to the huge state-supporting efforts we all witnessed during the recent disastrous flooding."
The SCSG traces its lineage – as does the S.C. National Guard – to the state’s First Provincial Militia founded in 1670. The S.C. Military Dept. includes the S.C. Army and Air National Guard, the Emergency Management Div., the SCSG and other elements.
