The thesis “State Defense Forces: Past, Present, and Future” by Ronald Ray Armstrong and Alexander Philip Gisoldi provides a comprehensive study of the history, purpose, and challenges of State Defense Forces (SDFs) in the United States. It explains that as the Total Force Doctrine increasingly integrates the National Guard into federal operations, states lose access to their traditional homeland defense units during mobilizations. The authors trace the evolution of SDFs from colonial militias and Home Guards of World War I and II to modern volunteer forces authorized under Title 32 U.S. Code §109. They examine legislative milestones—such as the National Defense Act of 1916, the Militia Act of 1917, and subsequent amendments—that shaped state authority to maintain non-federal defense forces. The thesis identifies key controversies, including the absence of federal funding, unclear missions, and concerns about political misuse. It compares different organizational models, emphasizing that SDFs function best as military police and emergency support units rather than combat forces. The study concludes that SDFs are an essential but underdeveloped element of homeland security, recommending federal guidance, limited funding, and standardized training to make them a consistent, reliable complement to the National Guard and a crucial safeguard for internal security during national emergencies.
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