Director's Office - Military Liaison
Captain Butler Strain was appointed as the Florida National Guard Liaison Officer on 1 October 2009. As the Military Liaison between the Florida National Guard and the Florida Department of Emergency Management, Captain Butler Strain primarily serves as the Director's subject matter expert on military affairs. He is responsible for coordinating Florida National Guard military functions that involve the Florida Division of Emergency Management and other agencies throughout the state. Captain Strain serves as an advisor to the Joint Directorate of Military Support. He oversees and directs the operation of Emergency Support Function Thirteen on a daily basis and during times of activation for the State Emergency Operations Center. Captain Strain performs coordination with various state agencies for the planning and accomplishment of long and short-term operations with the Florida National Guard as it pertains to Defense Support to Civil Authorities.
Captain Strain represents the FLNG and FDEM to Northern Command and other combatant commands and major United States Service Commands within the Department of Defense, for CONUS exercises, training plans, development of Homeland Defense Doctrine, Joint Operations requirements and other duties as required.
In 2003 Captain Strain began his military career when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served on active duty from 2003 to 2007. He transferred to the Florida Army National Guard in 2008. Captain Strain has served in a variety of command and staff assignments including Commander 870th Engineer Company, Detachment Commander, HHC/779 Engineer Battalion (Rear), and as an operations officer for both 83rd Troop Command and 1-67 Armor Battalion in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Captain Strain deployed to Iraq with 1-67 Armor Battalion in December 2005 where he served as both a Company and Battalion Fire Support Officer/Effects Coordinator, and Assistant Operations Officer at the battalion level. While deployed Captain Strain Coordinated and planned three major operations in a combat zone to include a security operation for millions of religious visitors to Karbala, Iraq and the culminating operation to ensure a safe and efficient transition with the incoming unit taking over our area of responsibility. Captain Strain also planned and supervised over 25 artillery missions in support of combat operations.
Captain Strain is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and Air Assault Course. His military decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.
Captain Strain’s professional affiliations include the National Guard Association of the United States and the National Guard Officers’ Association of Florida. Captain Strain has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.
Updated:
December 3, 2009 16:46
