This material was written and compiled by M.W. / Barrett Man;
Ways of forming militias;
One of the easiest ways to begin to form a militia starts at the local level, (ie County) by talking with friends, family, neighbors, and business associates whom you believe may, or have already expressed their belief, that there is sufficient cause to consider that some day there could be a need to defend their freedoms and liberties, families, or property from any possible threat that could arise. And feel that existing defenses such as regular military forces, Guard and Reserve forces may not be adequate, capable in time, or unwilling to do so under the circumstances. Whether that possible threat is from within or outside of the country is moot.
After determining that there are willing and able volunteers of a sufficient number to begin, it would be required to determine how and where a group could meet and discuss some sort of chain of command and duties that each individual could and would perform. Then that group would have to find and or procure a relatively large and some what remote area that they could begin to train and teach themselves the types of skills that would be needed to the best of their abilities. Having members which have or are currently serving in a military organization is not vital but certainly aids in the training process. Then it would be advised that additional recruitment measures be taken to increase the size and effectiveness of your force, as well as to increase the diversity of skills that could be of use. It would also be wise to try and enlist members from the Law Enforcement community as well, especially those at the county level, as they often share opinions that could be considered to be more conservative than those on the smaller local level. There are three reasons for this; one is that history has shown that totalitarian regimes have often used existing policing agencies and their members to act as enforcers of their policies due to their knowledge of their communities and members of the local population. A second reason for this is they also have access to communications that other wise may not be available to the average person, which could be advantageous to maintaining security and allowing a lead time for making preparations for a defense. A third reason is they also have access to materials and equipment that is other wise not available to the average civilian. Another group of professionals that would be of value to a militia are those in the agricultural and construction profession as the larger types of vehicles that they possess can be relatively quickly enhanced to serve as a primitive form of “heavy armor” and or troop transport as well as engineering vehicles (ie building birms and trenches). Once these things have been accomplished it is only natural that a militia should have regular times that they assemble and train in their skills. And it is only natural that it will continue to grow as time goes on. Also, it is only natural that there may be members that are there to “observe and report” to others that do not appreciate your efforts, so it is imperative that all operations are not done in an illegal way or to use illegal tactics, weapons, or devices, and that existing laws are not violated.
Definition of Militia:
In recent times various members of Congress and others in official positions within the administrations of government have made arguments concerning the definition of a militia in an attempt to ensure that only government authorized and sanctioned bodies of citizens have the right to assemble and train in activities associated with a military force ( i.e. National Guard and Reserve units ). Their reasons for these attempts or are not fully known, but are suspicious none the less. It was made evident in our Constitution that it is the responsibility of citizens within a Free State, that they should and could, form and maintain an assembled body of able men (and woman) to train and practice in the activities involved with military actions. And that they should at regular times, assemble for such purpose, as to maintain a state of readiness.
The following is the legal definition of Militia as found in Blacks Law Dictionary.
“The body of citizens in a State, enrolled for discipline as a military force, but not engaged in actual service except in emergencies, as distinguished from regular troops or a standing Army”.
A break down of this definition for the purpose of understanding is as follows:
1. The body of citizens in a State, is very simple and self explanatory.
2. enrolled for discipline as a military force, but not engaged in actual service except in emergencies, This would be all males, who by law, must enroll in the selective service upon turning the age of 18.
3. as distinguished from regular troops or a standing Army. Regular troops are just that, those troops who are members of the regular Army, National Guard, and Reserves. A standing Army, are those troops who have been deployed among a population of citizens.
A few words from our founding fathers and other respected members of government on the subject of militias and patriotism.
Alexander Hamilton, - Federalist Papers, Article 29 Jan. 10, 1788 – “Little more can reasonably be aimed at, with respect to the people at large, than to have them properly armed and equipped; and in order to see that this not be neglected, it will be necessary to assemble them once or twice a year. This will not only lessen the call for military establishments, but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow citizens. This appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist.”
Richard Henry Lee, - Letters from the Federal Farmer, 1788 – “A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves, and render regular troops in a great measure unnecessary....the militia shall always be kept well organized, armed and disciplined, and include... all men capable of bearing arms;... whereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always posses arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, and how to use them.”
George Washington, - President of the United States, - Address to the Second Session of the First United States Congress, Jan.7, 1790 – “Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. The church, the plow, the prairie wagon and citizens firearms are indelibly related. From the hour that the pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to insure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable. Every corner of this land knows firearms, and more than 99.9% of them by their silence indicate they are in safe and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place in honor with all that is good. When firearms go, all goes – we need them every hour.”
George Washington, - Writings of George Washington at 30:391 – “To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.”
Samuel Adams, - Personal writings III, 1806 – “It is always dangerous to the liberties of the people to have an army stationed among them, over which they have no control... The militia is composed of free citizens. There is therefore no danger of their making use of their power to the destruction of their own rights, or suffering others to invade them.”
Patrick Henry, - Address to the Virginia House of Burgesses, Mar.23, 1775 – “ They tell us we are weak, unable to cope with such a formidable adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be next week, or next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies have bound us hand and foot? We are not weak if we make a proper use of the means which the gods of nature has placed in our power. Millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible. Besides, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just god who presides over the destinies of nations, who will rise up friends to fight our battle for us. The battle, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Many cry “peace, peace” – but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! Why we stand here idle? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty god! I know not what course others take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
President Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, March 4 1861 – “This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it. Our safety, our liberty, depends upon preserving the constitution of the United States as our founding fathers made it inviolate. The people of the United States are the rightful masters of both congress and the courts – not to overthrow the constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the constitution.”
President James Madison, - “There are more instances of abridgment of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”
Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759 – “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, - Date unknown – “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else...”
Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States - Dec.9, 1949 – “If all Americans want is security, they can go to prison. They’ll have enough to eat, a bed, and a roof over their heads. But if an American wants to preserve his dignity and his equality as a human being, he must not bow his neck to any dictatorial government.”
Compiled by M. W. / Barrett Man – Lt.Col./PMND