[Navy Patriot]

The defining characteristic of the militia is that it does not answer to any elected or appointed government official.

Accurate, and it's arms are supplied (kept) by it's members (the people), not kept in government armories.

[JamesP81]

Accurate, and it's arms are supplied (kept) by it's members (the people), not kept in government armories.

Indeed. As has been pointed out, the Militia can be called up for federal service in a time of Insurrection or War, but until such time, the militia remains a purely civilian, non-government controlled entity.