About South Carolina

In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG) builds artificial reefs off the South Carolina coast using stripped, surplus military equipment such as M-60 tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers. 

Since 1997, the Reef-X (reef exercise) has been creating a habitat for marine life to facilitate recreational fishing. Organisms such as crabs, shrimp and sea urchins, as well as several fish species, are attracted to the structures for shelter and food. Marine species of interest to anglers and divers are attracted to these reef sites, offering recreational opportunities for many interests.

They have also drastically reduced the amount of waste and air emissions generated from vehicle painting operations. In order to maintain their vehicles and equipment, the SCARNG must strip and paint equipment that ranges in size from generators up to tanker trucks. In 2009, a large renovation project was completed that converted the previous bead-blast stripping system, which generated considerable amounts of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, to a high-pressure water-blasting system. The volume of waste generated was reduced by almost 90 percent. The new water-blasting system recycles 100 percent of the water used for blasting. In addition, they switched to a water-based paint from a solvent-based paint to reduce the amount of air emissions generated and the amount of paint thinner needed.

The SCARNG manages over 17,000 acres at four training areas and armories across the state. The largest is the Robert L. McCrady Training Center in the Sandhills Region east of Columbia. There are several species living on the training areas that are considered rare or endangered. Each of these species receives special consideration in their Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan.

The SCARNG also participates in national and international research programs, like the Partners in Flight Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS), which is a joint program with the SCDNR. It is a yearly survey of neo-tropical migratory birds that lasts from May to August each year.