Massachusetts now has a state militia

[hack89]

WORCESTER — The state’s militia was reactivated yesterday to provide emergency support in the event of natural and other disasters and to augment the work of the Massachusetts National Guard, which has been spread thin over the past few years because of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Massachusetts State Defense Force, which was mothballed several years ago, was formally re-established during ceremonies held at the Massachusetts National Guard Museum and Archives.

The defense force will be under the command of the governor and will report directly to the state adjutant general. Brig. Gen. Gary Pappas (Ret.) was named commander.

According to Brig. Gen. Paul G. Smith, assistant adjutant general for the Massachusetts National Guard, the MSDF will be primarily responsible for assisting and providing logistical support at emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and snowstorms.

He said the reactivation was necessitated, in large part, because of the National Guard’s transformation from “a strategic reserve to an operational force.” Officials said that the MSDF is a military force authorized by state law but is not subject to federal call-up. Members are volunteers, and, unlike guardsmen, receive no monetary or other compensation.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20110601/NEWS/106019919/1101/local

[Atman]

1. We need it...it's a freakin' mess out here.

Actually, I live in CT now, mom is still in West Springfield. We moved here from Springfield...our old neighborhood got leveled!

[Arctic Dave]

2. Why is this in the guns forum.

[hack89]

3. We always hear that there are no more militias

as justification for undermining our 2nd amendment rights. Just though I would point out that it is not true.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

4. So you're saying...

...that "the ends don't justify the means"? :sarcasm: Who'd a thunk it!

[Arctic Dave]

6. These guys are hardly a "well regulated militia".

Alaska has them but they are pretty much just a bunch of beerbelly guys that couldn't or didn't want to make it in the NG. Cleaning up after a mess is a good job for them or anyone else, I'm sure they would have volunteered otherwise.

[hack89]

7. "It’s expected that most of the officers will have an average of 30 years of service. "

I think that is a cut above a "bunch of beerbelly guys", don't you?

[Arctic Dave]

9. He "believes". No facts to qoute from.

[hack89]

10. And what precisely backs up your "fact"

that they are nothing but a bunch of "beer bellies"?

[Hangingon]

5. Glad to see Ma. has done this.

The Texas State Guard is a similar organization that is useful. But, why is this posted here. The state militia is basically an emergency aid organization. According to the article they will train often but not as a guard. The Establishment has nothing to do with the purpose of this forum. It is interesting that the organizations attending was the Honorable Artillery Co. of Boston (I so wanted to use that).

[virginia mountainman]

8. Virginia has a state militia well..

http://www.vadefenseforce.com/

[RSillsbee]

11. Colorado State defense force

we have a militia too