Strengthening State Guards Nationwide
Ensuring Those Who Serve Their State Are Not Forced to Serve Alone
Across the United States, State Defense Force volunteers stand ready to support disaster response, emergency management, and continuity of operations during statewide crises. These men and women serve quietly, often without recognition, and in many cases without the logistical support resources necessary to sustain their service.
In some states, soldiers must personally bear the cost of uniforms, equipment, travel, and even meals during training or deployment. No individual who is willing to serve their community during times of crisis should be forced to choose between their personal financial stability and their commitment to public service.
The State Guard & Defense Force Council (Also Known As StateDefenseForce.com) exists to ensure these forces are supported, structured, and positioned to operate effectively when communities need them most.
Your support strengthens that mission.
WHAT ARE STATE DEFENSE FORCES?
State Defense Forces are state-authorized military organizations established under federal law, under Title 32, United States Code, Section 109, which permits states to maintain defense forces separate from the National Guard. These forces operate under the exclusive authority of their respective states and cannot be federalized. Unlike the National Guard, whose Commander in Chief is the President of the United States, State Defense Forces remain under the command of the Governor at all times, serving as a dedicated state resource for domestic missions such as disaster response, emergency management support, and continuity of government operations in the event The National Guard is deployed overseas during a conflict.
Known by various names across the country, including State Guard, State Defense Force, Indiana Guard Reserve, Governor’s Guard, State Military Reserve, and others, these organizations provide trained military personnel who augment state and local agencies during crises. Their missions often include supporting National Guard units, assisting state agencies and local authorities, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and enhancing statewide readiness. By maintaining a force that cannot be deployed overseas, states ensure they retain a reliable capability to respond to emergencies within their own borders.
State Defense Forces are subject to the same State Military Law & Regulations as The National Guard.
WHY THIS MATTERS
State Defense Forces operate largely behind the scenes of national preparedness. When disasters strike, when continuity operations must be maintained, and when emergency systems are strained, these military forces provide essential support to state authorities and National Guard units.
However, the long-term effectiveness of these forces depends on:
- Sustainable operational support
- Responsible policy development
- Historical preservation of institutional knowledge
- Structured advocacy for modernization and readiness
Without these foundational elements, the ability of State Defense Forces to support their states during crises may be significantly limited.
Public Access Commitment
One of the core objectives of this campaign is to ensure that all original content produced by StateDefenseForce.com becomes freely accessible to the public.
Over time, we have created:
- More than twenty original research articles
- Dozens of podcast episodes
- Interviews with State Guard & Defense Force Commanding Generals, National Guard Generals & Other Senior US Military Leaders
- Community discussion programs addressing critical issues affecting State Defense Forces
Much of this work is currently restricted by financial necessity behind a Patreon paywall. This campaign will allow us to remove those barriers and ensure that information about State Defense Forces, their missions, and their history remains available to anyone seeking to learn about them.
Access to knowledge strengthens national preparedness.
2026 Fiscal Year Operational Milestone – $65,000
Our Fiscal Year 2026–2027 operating plan outlines $64,579 in projected annual expenses, rounded to a $65,000 campaign goal.
This milestone funds:
The Quartermaster Corps is set to begin on April 11th, the day after our fundraiser ends. We are hopeful that we can achieve the minimum goal of $65,000 so we can get this program off the ground. What we plan to do first is email every single State Defense Force and State Defense Force Association (most states have Associations, such as the New York Guard Association, except for one or two like California) to inquire about the needs of their State Defense Force. We will ask how many uniforms they need for their current troops, how many are required for new recruits entering the State Guard, and if they inform us they are unable to provide new uniforms for their troops, we will request a list of all personnel who require uniforms for calendar year 2026. We will then purchase the uniforms, gear (LBE, etc.), boots, and ship them to that State Defense Force. If the State Defense Force is unable to accept outside contributions due to legal obstacles, which we have encountered previously, we will provide these supplies to the State Defense Force / State Guard Association, which in many cases is able to distribute these items to the soldiers who need them. For the State Defense Forces / State Guards that refuse to participate in our Quartermaster program but still require their troops or new recruits, who are under financial hardship, to purchase their own uniforms, gear, boots, etc., we will work directly with those soldiers directly.
This approach will also apply to the two other offerings our Quartermaster Corps provides: supplying meals for troops during weekend drill or Annual Training, as well as our travel reimbursement program. With these offerings, we will provide financial assistance so that if a soldier attends weekend drill and the unit does not have funds to provide meals, we will ensure those soldiers are fed. If the State Guard works with us, we will arrange for a caterer; however, if they refuse to work with us, we will provide financial assistance so the soldier can purchase a meal and drink at their local market. The same principle applies to travel reimbursement. Soldiers undergoing financial hardship should not have to tap into the critical funds that feed their families in order to pay for gas, tolls, or metropolitan transportation fees such as subway or bus fare. In those cases, we will provide gas cards or financial assistance so they can use these donated funds to cover their travel expenses.
If a State Guard or State Guard Association is unable or refuses to work with our organization, we will still ensure that these benefits reach the soldiers who need them. How will we go about that:
First, we will confirm whether the individual is a member of that State Defense Force / State Guard and are in good standing. We will then assess if they are undergoing financial hardship. If all criteria are met and everything is verified, we will ship these critical items directly to those soldiers. We want to ensure that the State Defense Force / State Guard is not, as one soldier described it, an organization where it appears only the well-off can join and serve. Everyone has the right to serve their State and Country, regardless of how much money they make.
State Defense Forces, their Associations, or individual Soldiers in need of these services can visit quartermastercorps.com and email us. We will reach out to you and ensure your taken care of.
To ensure full transparency in how each donation is allocated, we will publicly provide a detailed spreadsheet on QuartermasterCorps.org outlining which State Defense Force, State Defense Force association, or individual soldier received support, including the value of funds, uniforms, supplies, and gear distributed.
Quartermaster Corps – 29.4%
- Direct troop support for State Defense Forces with limited budgets
- Uniforms, essential gear, and training-day meals
- Director-level program oversight
- Legislative Advocacy – 13.9%
- Office of Legislative Affairs
- Policy research & bill drafting
- Targeted legislative mailings (1–2 states)
- Direct communication with State & Federal lawmakers
The Office of Government & Legislative Affairs was established in 2026, but our staff within StateDefenseForce.com has been working with State and Federal legislators, as well as Federal agencies, for years prior to the formation of this department. We have been working behind the scenes contacting State Representatives and State Senators (these legislators are different from members of the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. They develop, discuss, and ultimately pass laws that affect only their respective state. In essence, they are a mirrored version of the U.S. Congress, but at the state level).
We began our legislative outreach years ago, originally focusing on Arizona, in an effort to establish a State Guard within the state. In 2025, we came very close to having the bill move through the Military Committee, which is where legislation is discussed before being sent to the main legislative chamber where all State legislators vote on its passage. Most bills never make it out of committee due to a variety of factors, such as time constraints, competing priorities, and other legislative considerations.
Unfortunately, in 2025, we were unable to move the bill out of committee, but we maintained contact with the legislators who expressed interest in submitting a new bill to create a State Guard in the future.
We also conducted similar efforts in Oklahoma in 2025. Originally, in 2024, State Senator Nathan Dahm proposed the formation of an Oklahoma State Guard, which we reported on. However, the proposal also did not make it out of committee. Senator Dahm later lost his seat to a freshman State Senator, Christi Gillespie. We had hoped his successor would reintroduce the legislation, but when we made contact with Senator Gillespie, she had no prior knowledge of what a State Guard was, its missions, or its roles, nor why it would be needed. After numerous discussions by both email and phone, we became optimistic, as she came to understand the potential benefits a State Guard could provide to Oklahoma. Our last conversation was very positive, but she wanted to seek feedback from The Adjutant General regarding the development of such an organization. She mentioned that the current Adjutant General was a family friend and that she wanted their input before proceeding. After that point, we were unable to reach or arrange another meeting with Senator Gillespie. We ultimately assumed that the Adjutant General was not supportive of the initiative and that the effort would not move forward.
Beginning this year, we reached out again to our contacts in Arizona to explore reintroducing State Guard legislation. We contacted Representative Alexander Kolodin, who had introduced the previous State Guard bill, about submitting it again for the 2026 legislative session. Both Representative Kolodin and Representative John Gillette, Chairman of the Arizona House Military Affairs & Public Safety Committee, expressed support for the concept of a State Guard but were not in favor of introducing the bill in 2026. They preferred to wait until after the gubernatorial race this fall, in hopes that Congressman Andy Biggs, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, would be elected Governor. We were informed that Congressman Biggs is a strong advocate for the establishment of a State Guard in Arizona. We advocated extensively for a bill to be introduced this year with both Representatives Kolodin and Gillette, but they remained firm in their position that the legislation should wait until after the gubernatorial election.
We also reached out to numerous State Senators in the West Virginia legislature after two bills were introduced, House Bill 4879 and Senate Bill 491, which would establish and provide for a West Virginia State Guard. After Senate Bill 491, the key legislation that would create the State Guard, was introduced, it was referred to the West Virginia Military Committee. We contacted multiple State Senators repeatedly, day after day, in an effort to secure a meeting either digitally or in person. Unfortunately, the committee was overwhelmed with other higher priority legislation, and the bill did not advance further in the legislative process. However, an exceptional staff member from one of the Senate offices informed us that the bill could potentially be brought forward for deliberation through a rarely used procedural mechanism. Unfortunately, due to our extremely limited staff and funding, most of which comes from our Patreon subscribers, our team was unable to continue dedicating the necessary volunteer time to make calls or travel to West Virginia. As a result, our effort to advance the creation of a West Virginia State Guard came to an end.
Lastly, in 2026, we also reached out to a State Senator in Georgia to introduce legislation that would guarantee Georgia State Defense Force personnel receive pay when activated for State Active Duty due to a natural disaster or statewide emergency. The proposed pay structure would mirror that of an Army National Guard soldier under Title 32, basing compensation on rank and the number of days activated, and aligning it with what that soldier would earn as an Active Duty member of the U.S. Army. Unfortunately the State Senator informed that it was too late in the legislative season to introduce new legislation.
So what do we plan to do with the $65,000 in funding if we achieve that goal? We would be able to hire dedicated staff members to advocate for new State Defense Force / State Guard legislation. We could have a paid staff that regularly advocates for State Defense Force / State Guard bills that would benefit those organizations. This staff would allow us to contact State legislators multiple times each week to discuss and shape new legislation that would either establish a State Defense Force / State Guard in states that currently do not have one, or advocate for legislation that would strengthen and benefit existing State Defense Forces. The types of legislative initiatives we are advocating for are as follows:
- Pay For State Active Duty deployment for each State Defense Force / State Guard soldier
- States to recognize those who had served in The State Guard / State Defense Force as Veterans (New York had already passed such legislation so New York Guard members are now considered Veterans within The State of New York [This Veteran identification does not translate to The Federal US Military Veteran classification], so if you served in the New York Guard and apply for State exams, colleges, programs, etc. that asks you if you are a veteran, you can but only in NY State).
- Advocate for legislation that would separate State Defense Force budgets be separate from The National Guard. That each State Guard / State Defense Force would be allocated an exact amount of funding during each State Legislative Session. The reason for this is because some State Defense Forces receive their funding at the behest of The Military Department of The State. And in many cases funding requests are denied or limited funding is provided. Having a guaranteed amount of funding each year will ensure that State Guard / State Defense Force commanders know exactly what funding they have, what they can utilize that funding for, so they can properly train, feed, and cloth their soldiers during weekend drills and annual training.
- Advocate for educational benefits that are currently offered to National Guard soldiers to also be extended to State Guard / State Defense Force troops. This would include a range of educational assistance programs, such as full funding for college or trade school, discounted tuition rates, and eligibility for scholarships based on their military service.
You can learn more about our Legislative efforts in finer details on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collection/894423
Legislative Advocacy – 13.9%
- Purchasing of Needed Equipment
- Direct communication with State & Federal lawmakers
- Promote legislation on the creation and development of State Defense Force s
- Targeted legislative mailings (1–2 states)
- Research & Develop Policy Materials
Core operations funding sustains the daily work that allows the State Guard & Defense Force Council (also known as StateDefenseForce.com) to inform, connect, and strengthen State Defense Forces across the United States.
Through StateDefenseForce.com and our affiliated platforms, we report on the latest State Defense Force training exercises, missions, legislative developments, and operational innovations. This reporting ensures that soldiers, commanders, and policymakers remain informed about how State Defense Forces are evolving nationwide. In many cases, this information directly influences mission development, training priorities, and operational readiness across multiple states.
For example, our continued reporting on the Georgia State Defense Force’s Opposing Forces (OPFOR) mission has highlighted how Army National Guard soldiers train in both woodland and urban environments against live, thinking opponents rather than static cardboard figures. This realistic training environment forces National Guard troops to employ safer, more disciplined tactical decision making under stress. Georgia Army National Guard Officers that have returned from deployments have expressed that these exercises have helped produce more experienced, focused, and adaptable soldiers in deployed conflict zones, ultimately contributing to saving soldiers lives on the battlefield. As awareness of this mission has grown through our coverage, other State Defense Forces have begun exploring similar partnerships with their National Guard counterparts.
Our reporting has also highlighted how the South Carolina State Guard augmented the South Carolina Department of Corrections with exterior security support during critical staffing shortages. This mission demonstrated how State Defense Forces can provide structured support to civil authorities during periods of operational strain. Following coverage of this capability, other states have begun examining similar support roles to ensure continuity of operations within their own public safety systems.
There are numerous other examples that range from State Guard Medical Units providing no cost health services to low income communities every year to State Guards developing a Cyber Defense unit that augments The National Guard Cyber Defense Forces which ensure that our power grids, natural gas systems and other critical infrastructure we rely on everyday are secured from outside attacks from foreign actors and malicious groups.
Maintaining the infrastructure necessary to research, document, and report on these missions requires sustained operational support. Core operations funding enables:
Core Operations – 51.9%
Maintaining the infrastructure necessary to research, document, and report on these missions requires sustained operational support.
Core operations funding enables:
- Website infrastructure & hosting for StateDefenseForce.com, SDFOnlineStore.com, StateGuardAdministration.com, SDFHistory.org, and QuartermasterCorps.org
- Daily news reporting & original research articles
- Podcast production and national leadership interviews
- Editorial coordination and content development
- Development of new State Defense Force analytical articles
- Social media monitoring and community engagement
- In-the-field reporting on training and mission activities
- Financial compliance, transparency, and fundraising coordination
- Operational support for the SDF Online Store
This work ensures that the lessons learned, innovations developed, and missions conducted by State Defense Forces are not isolated within individual states, but instead contribute to a broader national framework of preparedness, resilience, and operational effectiveness.
The Center for State Defense Force History exists to preserve, document, and share the enduring legacy of State Guards and State Defense Forces, which have served this nation continuously since 1917. For more than a century, these military forces have supported their states during times of war, natural disaster, civil emergencies, and periods of national uncertainty. Their contributions have often been made quietly, without recognition, yet their impact has been deeply woven into the fabric of American resilience.
Across generations, State Defense Force personnel have safeguarded infrastructure, assisted civil authorities, supported military readiness, and strengthened local communities during moments of crisis. However, much of this history remains fragile. Mission reports, photographs, training records, correspondence, and personal accounts are at constant risk of being lost to the passage of time. Many of these materials exist only in aging paper files, deteriorating film, or scattered private collections. With each passing year, irreplaceable evidence of service and sacrifice degrades further, threatening to disappear entirely.
The Center works to locate, digitize, and preserve these historical records before they are lost. This effort is not simply about maintaining an archive; it is about honoring those who served, ensuring that future generations understand the role State Defense Forces have played in defending communities and strengthening national preparedness. By building a comprehensive digital repository, the Center provides researchers, policymakers, service members, and the public with access to a legacy that might otherwise fade into obscurity.
Preserving this history is an urgent responsibility. Once lost, these records cannot be recreated. Each photograph restored, each document digitized, and each mission account preserved ensures that the story of State Defense Forces, and the citizens who stepped forward to serve their states, remains a permanent part of our nation’s historical record.
Through this work, the Center for State Defense Force History helps safeguard not only the past, but also the institutional knowledge that informs the future of community resilience and emergency preparedness in the United States.
Historical Preservation – 6.2%
- Center for State Defense Force History
- Archival research
- Documentation & preservation of legacy missions
Why This Campaign Matters
State Defense Forces operate in the background of national security, quietly reinforcing emergency management, disaster response, and continuity operations. Yet many lack structural support, policy clarity, and sustained advocacy.
This campaign ensures:
- Responsible governance
- Transparent financial management
- Professional legislative engagement
- Direct support to troops and State Defense Forces with limited budgets
- Preservation of State Defense Force history
Operational Transparency
A detailed breakdown of this Fiscal Year operating plan, including hosting costs, podcast production, legislative outreach budgets, Quartermaster Corps allocation, and director-level compensation, is available in our published 2026–2027 Fiscal Plan
Click Here To Download Our Expense Spreadsheet
We believe transparency builds trust.
Main Goal
$65,000 - Stabilize & Launch:
Build operational foundation and launch Quartermaster Corps.
Funding at this level ensures:
• Reliable hosting, infrastructure, and compliance systems
• Coordinated communications and daily operational stability
• Initial logistical development under the Quartermaster Corps framework
• Structured support resources for existing State Defense Forces
This phase stabilizes the mission and ensures long-term sustainability.
Stretch Goals
1. $85,000 - Expand Legislative Advocacy
Strengthen nationwide policy engagement.
At this level, we expand structured legislative engagement nationwide.
This includes:
• Direct outreach to state & federal legislators
• Policy brief development and distribution
• Advocate for the development of a State Defense Force in states where no State Defense Force currently exists
• Advocate for bills that strengthen and modernize existing State Defense Forces
This phase moves from stability to proactive national influence.
2. $105,000 - Full-Time Leadership Position
Professionalize daily operations and coordination.
This milestone transforms the organization from part-time coordination to full-time executive oversight.
Funding at this level establishes a dedicated full-time leadership position responsible for:
• Overseeing daily operations across all departments
• Ensuring consistent daily content and national communications
• Coordinating Legislative Advocacy, Quartermaster Corps, Historical Preservation, and Outreach efforts
• Direct engagement with state and federal legislators
• Advocating for the creation of State Defense Forces in states where none exist
• Supporting legislation that improves training, benefits, structure, and recognition
• Developing State Guard Administration policy recommendations on:
- Organization and Command Structure of State Defense Forces
- Wear and Appearance of State Defense Force Uniforms and Insignia
- Training, Certification, and Mission Readiness of State Defense Forces
- Recruitment and Personnel Qualification Standards for State Defense Forces
This role ensures the Council operates with discipline, structure, and strategic focus every single day.
It moves the organization from volunteer-driven to professionally managed.
3. $125,000 - National Recruitment Initiative
With stable leadership in place, this milestone funds responsible, structured national growth.
This includes:
• Supporting State Defense Force in expanding their forces through state level recruitment advertisements
• Developing recruitment messaging frameworks
• Utilize funds to advertise for State Defense Forces on Social Media, Television & Radio Ads, Highway billboards and more.
• Coordinating with State Defense Force leaders and Associations on sustainable recruitment models
This phase strengthens the pipeline for future readiness and long-term force viability.
4. $185,000 - Independent Policy Study
At this level, we will commission a high-level, independent study conducted by a nationally reputable research organization to examine how the recent National Guard Bureau uniform standards for State Defense Force may affect operational safety, force protection, and public clarity during domestic missions.
Recent shifts away from traditional State Defense Force uniform configurations, which historically mirror U.S. Army Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) standards with clear state identification, raise legitimate questions regarding:
• Identification in emergency environments
• Interoperability with National Guard forces
• Public recognition during disaster response
• Risk of confusion in high-stress or multi-agency operations
• Potential force protection implications when distinctive, highly visible uniform elements are introduced
This study will objectively evaluate whether significant deviations from traditional configurations, including the use of bright, high-contrast nametapes, brightly colored rank insignia, and colored baseball caps as headgear, could unintentionally increase risk to State Defense Force personnel or the citizens they serve.
The purpose is not to assign blame or advocate from assumption, but to ensure that uniform policies are guided by:
• Evidence
• Safety analysis
• Interagency coordination standards
• Established force protection doctrine
Findings will be formally presented to Adjutant Generals, Governors, and legislative leaders nationwide to support informed decision making rooted in operational safety and national best practices.
This milestone ensures that modernization efforts do not inadvertently compromise clarity, safety, or mission effectiveness.