Alabama State Defense Force

Last updated
Alabama State Defense Force
Coat of arms of the Alabama State Defense Force.svg
Active1940–1945 [1]
1980–present [2]
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
AllegianceFlag of Alabama.svg  Alabama
Type SDFBranchInsigniaColor.jpg   State defense force
Size1,000 legally authorized
Part of Alabama Military Department
Garrison/HQFort Taylor Harden Armory, Montgomery, Alabama
Website sdf.alabama.gov
Commanders
Commander in Chief Gov. Kay Ivey
Adjutant GeneralMG Perry G. Smith
CommanderBG (AL) Dale Webb

The Alabama State Defense Force (ASDF) is the state defense force of Alabama, allowed by the Constitution of Alabama, federal law, [3] the Code of Alabama, [4] and Executive Order. It has an authorized strength of 1,000 members and is organized on the United States Army structural pattern. The ASDF is under the control of the Governor of Alabama, as the state's Commander in Chief, and comes under the authority of The Adjutant General (TAG) of Alabama. The ASDF is an adjunct, volunteer, augmenting force to the Alabama National Guard. Currently, the ASDF is inactive awaiting reorganization by the Alabama National Guard. [5]

Contents

History

Origins

Prior to the modern National Guard, states would provide volunteer militia units to augment the federal army in times of war. In the Mexican–American War, Alabama provided the United States with multiple units of Alabama militia, with most serving for less than a year.

During the American Civil War, both Union units and Confederate units were raised in support of the war effort.

In the Spanish–American War, Alabama raised three volunteer infantry units. [6]

20th century

After the declaration of World War II, the majority of the National Guard was mobilized, leaving governors without troops to guard against invasion, provide disaster relief, and protect against civil unrest. Therefore, many states, including Alabama, raised state defense forces to act as a replacement for the National Guard during the war. In 1940, Governor Frank M. Dixon created the Alabama State Guard, recruiting primarily from World War I veterans in the American Legion. [7] Alabama took a unique approach in creating its state defense force. While other states actively recruited from veteran's organizations, Alabama went a step further and "gave the American Legion of Alabama the responsibility for creating and running its State Guard," and in return, Alabama "was able to achieve a functioning state guard sooner than most states." [8] By using an existing private organization as the framework for their state defense force, Alabama was able to achieve full readiness far sooner than might be expected. At the war's end, the Alabama State Guard was deactivated. [7]

On December 22, 1983, Governor George Wallace signed Executive Order Number 20, which authorized the creation of the Alabama State Defense Force, the successor of the Alabama State Guard which was disbanded in World War II. [2]

21st century

Before the start of the United States invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the Alabama State Defense Force began training at Fort McClellan to serve as stateside replacements for deploying units. [9] In 2008, members delivered meals and water to Hurricane Gustav evacuees. [10] On August 14, 2012, Governor Robert Bentley signed into law the Alabama State Defense Force bill (SB278), which added clarification to the role of the ASDF in relation to the Alabama National Guard, so that the two organizations can be better integrated in future stateside missions. [11] [12] As recently as April 2013, the ASDF was still seeking applicants, [13] but as of November 2013, it was stood down from active status. [14] While not abolished or disbanded, the ASDF was placed in inactive status while "the future structure, mission and manning of ASDF are determined." [5] As of June 2022, the state of Alabama was still issuing Alabama State Defense Force license plates to its active and inactive members. [15]

After the Alabama State Defense Force was shifted to inactive status, some of its members formed the Alabama Volunteers as a private organization organized under the Alabama State Defense Force Association, in order to continue their volunteer service in disaster relief efforts until the ALSDF is reactivated. [16] In Southern Alabama, the U.S. National Reserve Corps was started with members from the ASDF, this national organization also consists of volunteers dedicated to service in disaster relief efforts and participated with the Red Cross in 2014 in damage assessment in Baldwin County. [17]

As of February 2024, over ten years since the temporary suspension began, the state of Alabama has not yet finished its reorganization of the Alabama State Defense Force.

Mission

The mission of the Alabama State Defense Force is to on order of the Adjutant General of Alabama provide trained and ready volunteer individuals and units to support the National Guard conducting Defense Support to Civil Authorities missions to mitigate and/or alleviate the effects of a natural or man-made disaster.

Organization

The ASDF is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. The ASDF has three operational Brigades.

Awards and decorations

The Alabama State Defense Force issues several ribbons to guardsmen who have merited them, including the following ribbons: [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State defense force</span> Military units under the sole control of U.S. States government

In the United States, state defense forces (SDFs) are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government. State defense forces are authorized by state and federal law and are under the command of the governor of each state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama Air National Guard</span> Unit of the United States Air National Guard for the State of Alabama

The Alabama Air National Guard (AL ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Alabama, United States of America. It is, along with the Alabama Army National Guard, an element of the Alabama National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Defense Force</span> Military unit

The Virginia Defense Force (VDF) is the official state defense force of Virginia, one of the three components of Virginia's state military along with the Virginia National Guard which includes the Virginia Army National Guard, the Virginia Air National Guard, and the unorganized militia. As of 2023, the VDF has approximately 275 personnel. The VDF is the descendant of the Virginia State Guard, the Virginia Regiment, and ultimately the Colonial Virginia militia of the Virginia Colony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia State Defense Force</span> Military unit

The Georgia State Defense Force is a professionally trained, volunteer component of the Georgia Department of Defense, serving in support of the national and state constitutions under direction of the governor and the adjutant general of Georgia. As a State Defense Force (SDF), the GSDF serves alongside the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard.

Awards and decorations of the state defense forces are presented to members of the state defense forces in addition to regular United States military decorations and state National Guard military decorations. Each of the state governments of the United States maintains a series of decorations for issuance to members of the state defense forces, with such awards presented under the authority of the various state adjutants general and/or respective state defense force commanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Military Department</span> Component of the US National Guard of the state of Connecticut

The Connecticut Military Department is a state agency of the government of Connecticut. Its primary components are the Connecticut Army National Guard, the Connecticut Air National Guard, and four companies of the state militia. The Military Department of the State of Connecticut traces its origins to May 11, 1637, when the "General Courts" established a military arm of the provincial government. In 1939, the State's Military Department was established to consolidate the offices of Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, Armory Board, and Armory Board Inspector.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama Army National Guard</span> American military unit, founded 1807

The Alabama Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi State Guard</span>

The Mississippi State Guard (MSSG) is the state defense force of Mississippi. It operates under the authority of the Mississippi Military Department alongside the Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) and the Mississippi Air National Guard (MSANG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Guard Reserve</span> State defense force of Indiana

The Indiana Guard Reserve (INGR), formerly the Liberty Guard and the Indiana Legion, is the state defense force of the state of Indiana. The Indiana Guard Reserve serves under the exclusive authority of the governor of the State of Indiana through his executive agent for military matters, The Adjutant General of Indiana. The Guard Reserve is a unique military organization designed to supplement the Indiana National Guard and to defend Indiana if any part of the Indiana National Guard is in active federal service. The Indiana Guard Reserve also provides MEMS qualified soldiers who can augment Indiana Homeland Security missions and County Emergency Operations activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massachusetts State Defense Force</span> Military unit

The Massachusetts State Defense Force (MSDF) is the currently inactive state defense force of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was inactivated in 2016 by Governor Charlie Baker. The purpose of the Massachusetts State Defense Force, when active, is to augment the Massachusetts National Guard during emergencies in the state, especially when some or all of the National Guard was deployed. The MSDF is an all-volunteer militia which reported to the State Adjutant General and was under the command of the Governor of Massachusetts. Members met for drills one weekend per month unless activated by the Governor during an emergency. The MSDF was headquartered at Milford, Massachusetts, in the same building as the Massachusetts National Guard. The director of the MSDF was appointed by the Adjutant General of Massachusetts (TAGMA). The Massachusetts State Defense Force is authorized by both the Constitution of Massachusetts and chapter 33 § 10 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina State Guard</span> Military unit

The South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) is the designated state defense force for the state of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaska State Defense Force</span> Military unit

The Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) is the state defense force of Alaska. It is one of 18 such forces in the United States. The Alaska State Defense Force is administered under the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, but is headed by a commander who reports directly to the governor of Alaska, who acts as commander-in-chief of the state defense force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rico State Guard</span> State defense force of Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rico State Guard (PRSG) is the state defense force of Puerto Rico that operates under the sole authority of the governor of Puerto Rico who, in turn, delegates such authority to the Puerto Rico Adjutant General. The Guard's secondary purpose is to assume the state mission of the Puerto Rico National Guard in the event that the National Guard is mobilized. The first incarnation of the PRSG was created in 1941 in response to World War II and it disbanded in 1946. The PRSG was revived in 1971 and has remained in continuous existence since then. It is one of the few state defense forces of the United States that has an air division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington State Guard</span> Military unit

The Washington State Guard is the state defense force of the U.S. state of Washington. It is an element of the state's military forces which also include the Washington Army National Guard and the Washington Air National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Guard Association of the United States</span>

The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) is a non-profit organization advocating for the advancement and support of regulated state military forces, as established by state governments under the authority of federal law. The SGAUS encourages the establishment and advancement of regulated state forces through lobbying and affiliation with independent state associations.

The reserve components of the United States Armed Forces are military organizations whose members generally perform a minimum of 39 days of military duty per year and who augment the active duty military when necessary. The reserve components are also referred to collectively as the National Guard and Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee State Guard</span> Military unit

The Tennessee State Guard (TNSG) is the state defense force of the state of Tennessee. The TNSG is organized as a military reserve force whose members drill once per month unless called to active duty. The TNSG is a branch of the Tennessee Military Department, alongside the Tennessee Army National Guard, the Tennessee Air National Guard, and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The State Guard acts as a force multiplier for the state's National Guard. As a state defense force, the Tennessee State Guard cannot be federalized, and is not deployed outside the borders of Tennessee, as it is a purely state-level unit. It answers solely to the Governor of Tennessee, unlike the dual federal and state controlled National Guard. The creation of a state military force is recognized under Tennessee Code Annotated 58-1-401.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vermont State Guard</span> Military unit

The Vermont State Guard (VSG) is the all-volunteer state defense force of the state of Vermont. The Vermont State Guard serves parallel to the Vermont National Guard, acting as a reserve force for the State of Vermont Military Department. The Vermont State Guard is a reserve force composed of individuals living as civilians when not activated, but the force can be activated in the event of an attack or natural disaster to serve as a force multiplier for the National Guard, and is assigned to fulfill the state mission of the National Guard when the National Guard is deployed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania State Guard</span> Military unit

The Pennsylvania State Guard is the currently inactive official state defense force of the state of Pennsylvania, which was active during World War II and the Korean War. The unit was organized as a home guard composed of volunteers who were trained and organized as parallel to the state’s National Guard. As a part of Pennsylvania's official militia, the Pennsylvania State Guard was trained, organized, and funded by the state of Pennsylvania, answered to the governor, and could not be federalized or deployed abroad.

References

  1. ↑ "History - 4th Brigade". 4th Brigade. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 Exec. Order No. 20  (December 22, 1983; in English)  Governor of Alabama . Retrieved on September 28, 2013.
  3. ↑ "32 U.S. Code § 109 - Maintenance of other troops". Legal Information Institute . Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "AL Code § 31-2-8". Justia. 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 Blevins, Jeremy (9 January 2014). "The state of the Alabama State Defense Force". Jeremy Blevins. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Unit Profiles, Rosters, and Photos". spanamwar.com. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  7. 1 2 "ASDF History". alabama.gov. Archived from the original on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  8. ↑ Stentiford, Barry M. (2002). The American Home Guard: The State Militia in the Twentieth Century. Texas A&M University Press. p. 99. ISBN   1-58544-181-3.
  9. ↑ Tutor, Phillip (16 April 2021). "McClellan still swarms with soldiers, thanks to National Guard". The Anniston Star . Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  10. ↑ Beyerle, Dana (5 September 2008). "State Defense Force aids evacuees". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "Alabama SB278" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-03.
  12. ↑ Brandon Moseley (August 16, 2012). "Bentley Signs State Defense Force Bill". Alabama Political Reporter. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Alabama State Defense Force (official state militia) seeks applicants". al.com. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  14. ↑ "Alabama SDF Stands Down". Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
  15. ↑ Gore, Leada (3 June 2022). "These are the rarest specialty license plates in Alabama". al.com. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "Who We Are". Alabama Volunteers Official Website. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "United States National Reserve Corps | United to Serve". usnationalreservecorps.us. Archived from the original on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  18. ↑ Bush, Eric. "Alabama State Defense Force Awards & Ribbons" . Retrieved 6 October 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.