ALEC Releases Landmark Report on State Defense Forces
Report details how State Defense Forces strengthen disaster response, homeland security, and cybersecurity preparedness.
ARLINGTON, Va. — Today, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released a new report, State Defense Forces & Disaster Preparedness: Enhancing State Emergency Capacity, examining how State Defense Forces (SDFs) can strengthen state emergency preparedness. The report finds that these state-controlled volunteer forces can provide rapid emergency response, support major events and ceremonial missions, and backfill the National Guard when Guard units are federally deployed.
“State Defense Forces have served states across the country, regardless of size, region or political makeup,” ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson said. “Our latest report highlights the important role SDFs can play in strengthening state preparedness, from disaster recovery to cybersecurity and beyond. As states look for ways to better protect their communities and respond to emerging threats, this report provides a valuable resource for policymakers considering how SDFs can help meet those challenges.”
Twenty states and Puerto Rico currently maintain State Defense Forces. Unlike the National Guard, SDFs remain under state control and cannot be federalized, making them available to governors when emergencies arise. Because members are generally unpaid unless activated for state emergencies, SDFs can also provide states with additional trained manpower at comparatively low cost.
The report highlights modern examples in Florida, Virginia, and Indiana, where SDFs support disaster response, emergency management, cybersecurity, communications, logistics, and National Guard readiness.
“State Defense Forces give governors a flexible, state-controlled resource they can tailor to the unique challenges and emergencies facing their communities,” said Zachary Federico, ALEC Director of the Veterans and Military Affairs Task Force and author of the report. “As demands on the National Guard continue to grow, SDFs give states another practical, cost-effective tool to respond to emergencies, tap specialized civilian expertise, and ensure trained personnel are ready when they are needed most.”
In Florida, the reestablished Florida State Guard has grown to roughly 1,000 members and deployed more than 600 personnel during Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, conducting more than 300 search-and-rescue missions and 220 health and welfare checks. In Virginia, the Virginia Defense Force provides emergency operations, communications, logistics, and cyber defense support, while the Indiana Guard Reserve demonstrates how even a smaller volunteer force can meaningfully augment the National Guard and state emergency operations.
The report concludes that State Defense Forces can help states fill critical readiness gaps with specialized, cost-effective capabilities while reducing dependence on federal assistance during crises.