Reviving State Defense Forces

State Guard Association of the United States ^ | 12-1-02 | Judicial meanz

[judicial meanz]

I havent been on FR for too long now, but I am totally impressed with the people, personalities and insight offered here. Today, if no one minds, I want to add another topic for debate and examination.

I recently ran onto a thread where someone was asking why the "Home Guard" had not been revived for the war on terror. Another poster wanted to know why the Militia has not been deployed on the border to solve the illegla immigration problem. I cant remember what the articles were, but I believe I can answer both questions pretty well.

The "Home Guard" of the United States exists already. Under 32USC109, each state has the ability to form its own "State Defense Force" under the command and control of the Governor of that state to provide for its defense in addition to the National Guard. This is the modern version of the legally constituted and authorized militia. About 25 states have them available to use, and many use them in addition to or as a suppliment to the National Guard.

In some states, the Governor can actually draft people into the State Defense Forces in time of emergency, the same as the federal government can draft for the US Military, although those laws have not been used since the era of the Civil War.

It boggles the mind to think that these military organizations exist, and no one uses them in Homeland Security, especially when they are staffed by military veterans and retirees with extensive military experience.They are cheap, low cost organizations, usually manned by volunteers who are paid military wages when activated.

The use of State Defense Forces has largely been overlooked in the Homeland Security Mission. Most elected politicians do not even know they exist. The ones that do know they exist know that federal regulations (NGR 10-4) effectively hamstring them in their operations.

In order for the State Defense Forces to be effective, three things need to be done. Listed in order, they are:

A) National Guard regulations (10-4) need to be removed so state guards can acquire excess federal equipment to enhance their missions.

B) Public awareness needs to be raised so that people will enlist. Most SDF's suffer from manpower shortages.

C) Congressman Norwood has a bill (The State Defense Force Modernization Act of 2002) that has not been introduced that would help the SDF's effectively fill the Home Guard mission. Any and all help would be appreciated in activism.

Its time we modernize our state defense forces to fill the home guard role in Homeland Security. I would appreciate any help FREEPERS could give us in this matter.

regards

Judicial Meanz

[judicial meanz]

The link above is to the State Guard Association of the US. They can help with any info you may want.

[elbucko]

C) Congressman Norwood has a bill (The State Defense Force Modernization Act of 2002) that has not been introduced that would help the SDF's effectively fill the Home Guard mission.

This bill doesn't stand a chance. The women will be against it. In Congress and as voters.

[Sparta]

Being the person who probably has been one of the loudest in calling for the formation of the Home Guard, I know for a fact the State Defence Forces exist in name only in most states, if at all. I believe each county or parish should assemble a militia or Home Guard unit to defend it from all threats foreign or domestic. I believed this before 9/11 and support it even more since. I think they should be armed by the Federal Government with either surplus military weapons or with captured AKs and other rifles. I also support training by veterans to give these militiamen the necessary skills to fight. BTW: I'm not advocating the overthrow of the government or even that these groups have a political agenda, but this should be a way to fight the War on Terror for those who can't join the military for whatever reasons they may have. Citizen soldiers have always been the backbone of America's defence and America will only survive with these citizen soldiers as our backbone.

[judicial meanz]

You are right about most being in name only. I just got lucky enough to live in a state that has an active guard and got a wake up call loud and clear on 9-11.

I know they need a lot of work, but its all we have for now.

I am with you all the way. I've been a loud mouth too.

[Uri’el-2012]

Bookmarked

[SCalGal]

This bill doesn't stand a chance. The women will be against it. In Congress and as voters.

Not all of us will be against it. Some of us have some sense.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Most people are not aware of the fact that the Army National Guard and Air National Guard are Reserve Components of the FEDERAL Armed Forces subject to activation and assignment out of the state as the Pentagon so directs. They are dependent upon the U.S. Army and Air Force for almost everything.

Most states have a Military Department to administer state funds spent on Guard units for things such as armories and training areas, and the Governor usually plays a role in the promotion of field grade officers; Guard units are often activated by the Governor for disaster relief missions and ocassionally for riot control. Many Army National Guard units are combat or combat support battalions making up independent brigades who focus their efforts on preparing to round out under-strength active Army divisions. They are not a militia in the 1792 sense of the word.

Should a national emergency result in the federalization of a state's National Guard, that state is left without an armed force to do the kinds of things the National Guard is often called upon to accomplish. This is what happened in 1942, thus the purpose of the State Guard, a force independent of the Federal government that remains available to the governor to use as he sees fit

The Georgia State Defense Force is the State Guard organization with which I am most familiar. They are an unarmed, unpaid auxiliary of the GAARNG. The GSDF supported mobilization of GAARNG Units during the Gulf War, participated in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and assisted FEMA and GEMA during hurricanes.

[Nebr FAL owner]

It would be simpler quicker & a whole lot less expensive to create an expanded Sheriffs Auxillary trained as deputies/volunteer firefighters.If they are armed they have to shoot qualification course equal to the state law enforcement school,weapon must be of same caliber as carried by regular officers.Also need to get NBC protective gear into the hands of first responders as currently they are for the mostly with out . Also the design,testing,& approval of a civil defense gas mask that can be mass produced,is inexpensive & simple to use for sale from retail outlets such as Wal-mart or your local hardware store.These things are just a start of what needs to be done to make this country safe from terrorist but DOES NOT INCLUDE enhanced spy on your neighbor/warrantless searches/warrantless wire taps.

[stainlessbanner]

Good idea, this will shift back power to the states.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

There are numerous missions that even old geezers could be trained and equipped to handle during any emergency, regardless of whether the emergency is war/terrorism related or due to natural disaster: surveillance/watch duty, guard duty, traffic control, transportation and distribution of supplies, etc. The value is that using State Guard personnel on these low-skill tasks frees up the more highly-trained National Guard and Regulars for more difficult missions. You don't need the guys to undergo extensive combat training or even much close-order drill. Just a couple of hours on the rifle range and a few days of mostly-classroom training will do. One additional advantage of having a trained, equipped, and organized State Guard is that you could almost immediately get some substantial numbers of manpower on the spot where needed. Even under the best of circumstances, deployment of the National Guard even within their own state takes hours, if not days.

[judicial meanz]

Absolutely...plus it saves money we are going to need before this is over

[Howlin]

Why do you believe women would be against this bill?

[Centurion2000]

Texas has an operational state guard. Brigade sized or so I think.

[glc1173@aol.com]

It would be a good idea - now that so much of the National Guard is semipermanently overseas at any given time in a semipermanent war on Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.

[B-Chan]

"The Texas State Guard (TXSG) is the second branch of the Military Forces of the State of Texas, operating alongside the Texas National Guard, which is comprised of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. The TXSG supports the mission and goals of the Texas National Guard, in addition to numerous roles in community support and civil assistance.

Composed of a headquarters group, support detachments, an air support wing and six military police brigades, the size and structure of the TXSG is determined and directed by the Governor of the State of Texas, through the Adjutant General. TXSG companies and detachments are collocated with Army National Guard and Air National Guard units throughout the State.

Texas State Guard soldiers are volunteers between the ages of 17 and 60, and train a minimum of one weekend each month. All serve without pay except if called upon for State Active Duty by the Governor. TXSG soldiers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, many with prior military service."

Contact:
Texas State Guard HQ, Camp Mabry, Texas
P.O. Box 5218
Austin, TX 78763-5218

[tbird1]

Been there and done that.---During WW2 I was 4F and when the State of Indiana formed the "State Guard" to replace the National Guard, which had all been mobilized into the Army, I volunteered and served for 3 years. We started out with WW1 helmets raggedy uniforms and 12 gauge shotguns. But we were a proud bunch, volunteering our services in the War effort.
During the Korean War, the Indiana Governor activated a cadre called the "Indiana Internal Security Force" but it was not necessary to go any further since the Nat'l Guard was not completely mobilized. Served in that cadre too.
I'm sure that those plans are still gathering dust in the files, and Hopefully they will be pulled out. I believe that this situation will require that sort of action.
tbird1

[SlightOfTongue]

You might not have been here very long, but your post and observations are commendable and welcome here, IMHO.

I dub thee "Newby Knight of the Astute!"

[Trident/Delta]

Very well stated. I as a member of the California State Military Reserve for several years. I moved to Washington State and became a member of the Washington State Guard. Now I am in Minnesota and there is nothing even remotely like either organization here. In California, at the height of the militia paranoia, the state pulled the rugout on the CSMR and disbanded it. It is only now starting to get back on its feet. In Colorado and Arizona, they have similar organizations that are structured as Law Enforcement as opposed to military. The 'Rangers' in Colorado and Arizona are a kick-a$$ organization that I would like to duplicate here in MN. But, here in the land of the liberal (i.e. wormfood Wellstone!) I fear that it will take s substantial terrorist incident to get the peoples attention. But, cest' la vie, I will continue the good fight.

Semper Fi

[Wolfstar]

Thank you for starting this welcome dicussion thread. I would like to see the entire Civil Defense concept and network reactivated and modernized. I know there was an active Civil Defense network during WWII, but I don't know when it fell into disuse. The Home Guard should be one aspect of an over-arching Civil Defense approach. Not everyone who wants to or is capable of participating in Civil Defense is qualified for military-style activities. And Civil Defense doesn't have to be limited to looking for terrorist activities. It could go a long way toward reducing gang and drug-related violence, for example.

[I got the rope]

Good post...remember when the president asked us to volunteer and create a civil defense plan for our own communities. I believe his speech was in October of last year or maybe it was in September. Was he asking for the militias to help.