How many veterans are now members of their state defense force (militia)?
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/clause-15-16/the-militia-clauses
The states as well as Congress may prescribe penalties for failure to obey the President’s call of the militia. They also have a concurrent power to aid the National Government by calls under their own authority, and in emergencies may use the militia to put down armed insurrection.1784 The Federal Government may call out the militia in case of civil war; its authority to suppress rebellion is found in the power to suppress insurrection and to...
Nearly every state has laws authorizing state defense forces, and twenty-two states, plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, have active forces with different levels of activity, support, and strength. State defense forces generally operate with emergency management and homeland security missions. Most SDFs are organized as army units, but air (Puerto Rico) and naval units (Ohio) also exist. Depending on the state, they may be variously named as state military, state military force, state guard, state militia, or state military reserve.
https://va.ng.mil/
About 1/2 the states have a State Defense Force and those states are members of the State Guard Association of the United States.
The official website of the Virginia National Guard
"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
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.
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.
(The title of the Article should read:
"The Laws Of New York / Consolidated Laws / Military
Article 8
The New York Guard
Military (MIL)
Section 165 - 170"
Organization, order to and relief from active duty or active service
In the Coast Guard Auxiliary, I can provide direct support to USCG members; they dont worry about rank and billets.