How many veterans are now members of their state defense force (militia)?

2015-07-16T09:58:20-04:00

There are a number of states which maintain an official regulated militia. The majority support the state National Guard units and respond to natural disasters. Many have prior service as well as civilians with no prior military service. It is all volunteer, unpaid, unless on official orders. If you serve, where do you serve and what do you do? If you do not serve, does this interest you?

StateGuardAssociationoftheUnitedStates,HomePage

Welcome to the State Guard Association of the United States, SGAUS. We are a national organization representing more than fifteen thousand men and women who are serving in our nation’s state defense forces.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 16 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-07-16T10:06:13-04:00

My state doesn't have one according to the website.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 10:32 AM

2015-07-16T10:32:13-04:00

Depending on what state you live in, that state may not have one (and many do NOT have one)

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Jul 24 at 2015 10:38 AM

2015-07-24T10:38:22-04:00

I am in mine, we are small but have been around since before the state. We focus Primarily on Liaison duties between the local governments and the National Guard during emergencies. It is a great way to continue serving after Uncle Sam says you cannot.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 5:46 PM

2015-07-24T17:46:27-04:00

I was in it for about 2 years. I think it would be great for non-prior service as well as veterans and retired NCOs. Because, they appoint you in your highest federal rank held, I would keep my LTC rank in the Calif State Military Reserve; while it sounds nice, that means most of the available billets are administrative rather than doing direct support to the National Guard troops which is what i was interested in it for. I would recommend it to a retired field grade officer only if they either enjoy admin work or have a specialty that would involve direct service, like a doctor, dentist, nurse or chaplain.

In the Coast Guard Auxiliary, I can provide direct support to USCG members; they dont worry about rank and billets.

Response by SFC Thomas Howes made Dec 15 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-12-15T13:09:57-05:00

I was in the Texas State Guard Maritime Regiment but What do all think of some states having a state militia not National Guard these are all volunteer

Response by SFC Thomas Howes made Dec 15 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-12-15T13:11:36-05:00

I wanted to join the CA one seeing I was in the TX one but CA wants me to meet active duty high and weight standers I am 54 like that is going to happen

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2017 11:46 AM

2017-04-03T11:46:01-04:00

Might be a long-ish post... but I would encourage you to read this for some insight into State Defense Soldiers and their motivations and intentions.

I am in the Ohio Military Reserve. We work and train along Ohio National Guard troops. We are NOT active duty armed forces and I make a point to never claim that. The LAST thing I wish to do is diminish the importance and sacrifice of those who have served in the federal services.

Having said that, we do play a role on the home front. We are trained and ready to deploy when activated for issues of homeland security and natural/unnatural disaster. In today's environment, we could benefit from more use of our state defense forces. Terrorism is no longer something that happens only overseas or in major American cities. Sadly, it can happen anywhere or anytime. We take an oath of enlistment and are subject to the same rules and regulations of the United States Army.

The best part of the state guard is the opportunity for those to serve that either missed their chance or were medically unable to serve in the federal service. Myself, I work as a teacher; leaving months for basic training, and the possibility of foreign deployment (as much as I want to do) is something that would completely end my career. I take my commitment to my students very seriously. They are six years old, and having a teacher suddenly leave for a deployment would be stressful and could even negatively impact their academics.

I want to do what I can, serve in the capacity I can. Many are thankful for my service, even those with prior service, saying that we all play a part on the same team. Others occasionally look down their nose at me, which is hurtful but understandable, not understanding my motivations. I could be out to steal valor. But that is so far from the truth. My heart is in the right place and that is what matters to me. I get to serve with amazing men and women and learn and grow from the leadership of experienced military veterans and servicemembers in the National Guard. I understand more than ever the comradery that comes with working together for a common cause of country and community.

To those that are unsure what to think of state defense forces, I'd urge you to consider the possibility that such a force can be useful here at home as a supporting force. And remember, active looks down on NG and reserve, marines look down on army, army looks down on AF, and everyone seems to pick on the coast guard. It's the military way lol. But we all unite behind a common cause, doing what we can and what we are best suited to do.

Response by Matt Moon made Jun 1 at 2017 2:50 PM

2017-06-01T14:50:09-04:00

I'm a member of the Texas State Guard Maritime Regiment. We help the Coast Guard & National Guard by providing Search & Rescue, Humanitarian Aid, Border Patrol, Provide Security for Military Facilities . Providing Security on Lakes, Help Parks & Wild Life Game Wardens . We allso have a Scuba Diving Team that can help retrieve stuff for the Police if it ends up under water .

Response by Matt Moon made Jun 1 at 2017 2:58 PM

2017-06-01T14:58:55-04:00

I serve at National Guard Armory. The State Guard is a Search & Rescue and State Security Force . You might be called to guard a Military Facilitie, Scout for illegal immigrants helping Border Patrol, Are help the Coast Guard during a Search & Rescue mission .Helping the Marines with Toy's For Tots. We train with wepons only in the sense of being a State Security Guard if called upon wich requires a CHL License that's paid for by the State .

Response by Matt Moon made Jun 1 at 2017 3:04 PM

2017-06-01T15:04:07-04:00

The Civil Air Patrol wich I'm also a part of helps the Air National Guard in Search & Rescue Missions . We can also provide Aerial Survallince for the Police Force .

Response by SFC Edward Hall made Jul 29 at 2017 8:20 PM

2017-07-29T20:20:02-04:00

I'm one of those individuals who served in a State Defense Force (although Massachusetts called theirs a State Guard. I enlisted initially in 1944 (WW2 era Discharged as a PFC to enter AD in January of 1945.) When I retired in 1972 I heard that there was one in existence, so I asked the State AG what the qualifications were and was advised they did have one and was offered a MSGT slot which I took. Progressed through the ranks and 20 years later retired as as LTC.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jan 11 at 2018 5:25 PM

2018-01-11T17:25:58-05:00

State Defense Forces are not Constitutional Militia. State Defense Forces are created under the Constitutional provision that States may raise troops with Congress’s consent -- Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3. Constitutional State Militia antedate and are recognized -- not created -- by the Constitution: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 15.

Response by SSgt Don Porter made Jan 11 at 2018 5:35 PM

2018-01-11T17:35:26-05:00

Indiana Guard Reserve -- The True Volunteer

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 11 at 2018 5:40 PM

2018-01-11T17:40:27-05:00

1LT Private RallyPoint Member, in the State of Tennessee you'll find the Tennessee State Guard. The Guard's stated mission is to "provide a professional complement of personnel to support the State mission of the Tennessee National Guard, by assisting the Tennessee Army National Guard as a force multiplier, and at the direction of the Adjutant General, to assist civil authorities with disaster relief, humanitarian causes, ceremonial service, religious and medical support for the well being and safety of the citizenry of Tennessee."
"The Tennessee State Guard, which is the all-volunteer arm of the Tennessee Military Department, is headquartered in Nashville and consists of approximately 250 personnel. It is authorized by Tennessee Code Annotated 58-1-401."
I interviewed with some of the TNSG personnel in Nashville not long after I retired in MAY98, and was offered a position and the rank of colonel. Although I'm sure they do good work for the state when called upon, I ultimately decided not to participate.

https://www.tn.gov/military/who-we-are/state-guard.html

State Guard

The Tennessee State Guard, which is the all-volunteer arm of the Tennessee Military Department, is headquartered in Nashville and consists of approximately 250personnel,It is authorized by Tennessee Code Annotated 58-1-401.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 3:29 PM

2018-03-22T15:29:46-04:00

Though I am not a "Veteran" I am a member of the Virginia Defense Force which is the officially sanctioned constitutionally approved State Defense Force under title 32-119 USC and in Virginia code title 44. The VDF is the legitimate sibling to the Virginia National Guard under the Virginia Dept. of Military Affairs as commanded by the State Adjutant General. We have lots of great people who were in Federal service that come from a wide array of military backgrounds. It's an honor and a pleasure to serve beside them.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 6:04 PM

2018-07-01T18:04:59-04:00

I was thinking about asking this question the other day and I'm impressed with the number involved. I've been learning about state forces over the last few years and I'm still surprised at how different each state is with their use and organization of them.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 1 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-07-01T18:49:03-04:00

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Feb 5 at 2019 11:45 AM

2019-02-05T11:45:31-05:00

I served in the New York Guard for 6 years after leaving active duty and joining the IRR. It was nice, gave me the opportunity to transition back to civilian life slowly. Also gave me a chance to help out during a couple natural disasters. It was a positive experience over all, and I doubt I'd be where I am in the civilian world without that time there.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Jun 11 at 2019 11:37 AM

2019-06-11T11:37:56-04:00

I'm not sure you'll get a 100% Accurate reporting on this... PS WE OWN THE NIGHT!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2021 11:12 PM

2021-01-04T23:12:13-05:00

I'm a recruiter for the Virginia Defense Force. I'm actively looking for people who would like to serve again. For Veterans, I would ask that you have your DD-214 and all your supporting documentation that proves who you are, so degrees, certificates items that would satisfy the I-9 requirements. The VDF is an official State Agency, we are under the Virginia Dept. of Military Affairs and we receive our authority under the Virginia code section 44. We are the 3rd arm of the Guard here. We are not an Armed force, though we could be if required. We don't get deployed out of the state and missions are usually not that long if we are deployed. The Covid-19 response changes some of that around a little. We train in Communications, High Frequency Radio, Satellite phones, STARS Radio and Winlink. We additionally work with Joint Forces HQ at the National Guard HQ in Richmond. We also work with the Virginia State Police and Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management Services. We provide civil support, Cyber/IT, Legal, Chaplaincy and Medical/EMTs services. We are looking for people from all those fields. Many of our members are CERT Qualified and respond to emergencies with local fire depts. As members of those depts. In Virginia to participate with us because we are a State agency we require a background check and the ability to pass the height weight requirement. Must attend two drills, have reliable transportation live within 50 miles of the nearest Armory that we meet at and can not be a part of any active Federal military unit . We can accept people from the ages 16 to 65 . You can come from an adjacent state or the District of Columbia. No prior service is necessary but it is very welcome, in most cases your rank can carry over to us. We do a lot in Emergency Management. If we get activated for State Active Duty (SAD) as we call it, we would then be paid for the entire duration of the mission from the time we leave our HOR to the time we get back at the same rate as any federal soldier of the same rank would. The Governor would have to declare a state of emergency. We would then have to report to the National Guard unit to which we are assigned and we are then under their command. In a non-Covid world we have our MUTAS at Ft. Pickett about quarterly. We have an all hands on deck civil support function the first weekend of May in Winchester. We train!
I am the recruiter in Northern Virginia, The 1st Virginia Regiment . I could get you directed anywhere in the State.
We meet in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Cedar Bluff, Lynchburg, Winchester, Warrenton, Westmoreland (Cadets) and Fairfax. Please let me know if you might be interested in serving with us!

Me, I have no prior Service. Rose to SGT by a lot of hard work, TIS/TIG, I come from a very large military family of famous people and not so famous people going back 160 years. My civilian job is in Emergency Services as an ambulance driver in Northern Virginia. I served in the Emergency Operations Center over the summer at the National Guard HQ in Richmond for the civil unrest that happened over the George Floyd incident. I've been in the VDF since 2013. Please let me know if you might be interested. We are small, we don't want to be small, nobody hardly knows about us , we hope to change that. Thank you for the opportunity to tell you about who we are and how we fit in.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jun 10 at 2021 9:10 AM

2021-06-10T09:10:43-04:00

LOL!! Easy to see what the people who brought this article back from the grave are.