The State Militia in Nevada: A History
Abstract
Marking nearly 400 years in existence, the militia is the oldest branch of the American military. The first militia units were organized in colonial times to defend against an attack on the European settlers. England's North American colonies established militias -- consisting of citizens who were subject to periodic mustering and drilling -- that could be called into active service to defend the nation, and after the Revolution the independent states continued to maintain them. The U.S. Constitution designated the President as commander-in-chief of the state militias when they were called into federal service. A 1792 act of Congress required all able-bodied white males between the ages of 18 and 45 to be enrolled in the militias of the states and sought to impose uniform regulations for their organization and discipline. Another act of the same year authorized the President to call them into national service to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and to enforce federal laws. The "minutemen" turned out for every major war beginning with the American Revolution up through the present-day Global War on Terrorism. The state militia of Nevada is not only what we now term the "National Guard," but includes a large unorganized component as well as state forces controlled only by the governor, which is now known as the Nevada National Guard Reserve. This little-known organizational peculiarity is reflected in the missions of the Nevada Office of the Military, which has federal, state, and community components. The federal mission is to provide units trained and ready to respond to federal mobilizations as directed by Congress or the President. The state mission is to provide a regulated militia for the State of Nevada in support of the State Constitution, and to protect the lives and property of the public, both citizens and visitors, in times of emergency, disorder, or disaster.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA497338
Entities
People
- Michael J. Brodhead