The paper “Why More States Should Establish State Defense Forces” by Jessica Zuckerman, Colonel Martin Hershkowitz, Brigadier General Frederic N. Smalkin, and Dr. James Jay Carafano makes a strong case for the creation and expansion of State Defense Forces (SDFs) as essential components of homeland security and emergency preparedness. Using Arizona’s newly authorized Senate Bill
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The paper “The 21st-Century Militia: State Defense Forces and Homeland Security” by Dr. James Jay Carafano and Jessica Zuckerman, published by The Heritage Foundation in October 2010, examines the growing importance of State Defense Forces (SDFs) as vital state-level components of homeland security. The authors trace the evolution of state militias from the Militia Act
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The article “A Well-Regulated Militia” by James Jay Carafano explores the enduring importance of citizen-soldiers and state defense forces in America’s national security framework. Carafano begins by tracing the historical roots of the militia concept, noting that the Founding Fathers viewed a well-regulated militia as a safeguard against tyranny and an essential component of a
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The paper argues that the National Guard’s transformation from a strategic to an operational reserve—especially during the War on Terror—has become unsustainable because of its dual federal and state missions. Gelinas contends that the Guard cannot simultaneously meet the demands of Title 10 federal deployments and Title 32 state responsibilities. To resolve this, he proposes
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The article “A State Guard / State Defense Force Advisory Reserve” by Colonel (MDDF-Ret.) Martin Hershkowitzproposes the creation of a specialized “Minutemen” Advisory Reserve within State Defense Forces to harness the experience of retired and senior professionals who can no longer serve in regular line units due to age or physical limitations. Hershkowitz argues that
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The article “On the Need for a State Defense Force Noncommissioned Officer Council” by First Sergeant (MD) Ronald Scott and Colonel (MD) Martin Hershkowitz presents a detailed argument for establishing a formal Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Council within State Defense Forces to strengthen professionalism, leadership, and discipline. It outlines how NCOs form the backbone of military
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The article “Maryland Defense Force Joins National Guard for Major Homeland Security/Terrorist Response Exercise” by Lieutenant Colonel (MD) Robert Hastings and Major Kristine Henry, MDARNG, recounts the Maryland Defense Force’s (MDDF) active participation in Exercise Vigilant Guard, a large-scale homeland security and counterterrorism response exercise held across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. in September 2007.
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The article “Maryland Defense Force 10th Medical Regiment: Past, Present and Future” by Colonel (MD) Martin Hershkowitz and Colonel (MD) H. Wayne Nelson, Ph.D. chronicles the transformation of the Maryland Defense Force’s medical unit from a small aid-station team into one of the most capable and diversified medical commands in any State Defense Force. It
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The article “Expanding Support Roles for 10th Medical Regiment: Pre and Post Health Screenings of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen” by Colonel (MD) H. Wayne Nelson, Ph.D. details how the Maryland Defense Force’s 10th Medical Regiment (10MEDRGT) became one of the most active and innovative medical commands in any State Defense Force through its partnership
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The article “Operation Lifeline: Health Care Professionals from Maryland Respond to Hurricane Katrina” by Lt. Col. (MDDF) Richard Colgan, Maj. (MDDF) Kisha Davis, and Col. (MDDF) Robert Barish recounts the Maryland Defense Force’s historic first out-of-state deployment to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. It describes how, under the Emergency Management Assistance
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