Introduction
America’s 250th anniversary provides an opportunity to examine the institutions that have sustained national security since the founding. Among these are state-controlled volunteer militias, which played a central role in the Revolutionary War and continue to support emergency preparedness today. While these military forces have evolved significantly since the 18th century, state-controlled volunteer militias continue to play a critical role in supporting emergency operations in times of crisis.
Today, these forces are known as State Defense Forces (SDFs) and represent a valuable, reliable, and underutilized tool for states. Twenty states and Puerto Rico currently maintain these state military forces and use them for rapid emergency response, event and ceremonial support, and to backfill the National Guard when deployed. Despite their proven value to states, SDFs continue to be overlooked and underutilized. To help states strengthen their resilience, this publication will explain what SDFs are, their historical evolution, and their modern applications.