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

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.

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.

Indiana Guard Reserve -- The True Volunteer

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.

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 .

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 .

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 .

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

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

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