Posted on 05/27/2007 10:22:35 AM PDT by neverdem
The Illinois Reserve Militia was created in March of 1941 when the ILARNG 33rd Division was called into Federal service on 5 Mar 41. Untill the 33rd Div was inactivated on 3 Feb 46, The IL reserve militia performed the state level duties of the federalized National Guard. Many other states had similar forces to the IRM during the war.
Many states had State Guard Forces that they have long since inactivated. Maybe they should revive them. They are part of the “well regulated militia” mentioned in the 2nd amendment. Such well regulated state militias can only be called into Federal service by Acts of Congress. (Unlike the National Guard)
I was able to serve 9 years in the state defense force in Indiana -- military service has real ups and downs, of course, but overall I gotta say it was a good experience and it motivated me to re-enter federal service.
I'm honestly not sure whether Illinois has a state defense force these days, but if not they might think about re-activating one. Any American who wants to serve can also look at other choices also -- whether it's local fire, police and ambulance services, to the Civil Air Patrol, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other choices.
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