Insurgents always beat organizsed, mechanized militaries. So you don't need an army, you just need an entire male population, armed and ready to become insurgents. Since the Old Testament is a good tribal warfare manual, let's consult it --
From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies Numbers 1:3
Every male, 20 years and up, of sound mind and body, gets an AK47 -- the most successful insurgent weapon ever -- and is trained to use it, and keeps it at home with a stash of ammo. If they wish to buy handguns, Barrett 50 cals, etcs at their own expense, as a supplement to the mandatory AK47, they are free to do so.
Start universal marksmanship at age 10. Teach guerrilla tactics, IEDs, molotov cocktails, etc in High School, instead of wasting time in sports. Sun Tzu is mandatory reading. At 20, enroll them as militiamen, according to the Bible.
For extra security.. Every police station and city hall has a stash of extra rifles and ammo, plus RPGs for vehicles and Stingers for aircraft. All men must be taught how to use these weapons also.
Nobody will attack, nobody will invade.
OK, maybe that might work for on-the-ground defense up to a point. But without sufficient counter attack, how do you deal with superior naval, air, and missile capabilities capable of scorching Texas? What about things like nuclear deterrents.
THINK ISRAEL, little old Israel over there, completely surrounded by their enemy, and they can beat the tar out of all of them. Texas is bigger than Israel.
And all conservative women should learn how to use firearms too. Many a granny has taken out some feral thug.
A. Insurgents always beat organizsed, mechanized militaries. So you don't need an army, you just need an entire male population, armed and ready to become insurgents....From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war..."
To the persons who communicated re: this post... What I'm suggesting, as a national DEFENSE for an independent Texas (or Vermont, or Alberta), is not greatly different from what Switzerland does. Most Swiss men of the right age, are part of the Swiss Army, keep their military rifles at home when not on duty, and engage in regular military training. The purpose of this, is exactly as I described in that original post: "Nobody will attack, nobody will invade." In other words, PEACE.
Heavily armed Switzerland, is one of the most peaceful, low-crime, and LEAST terrorist country in the world. Forget Texas secession -- if America ever recovers her sanity, I'd advocate the Swiss model for America herself. After all, the founding fathers plainly stated that we needed a "well regulated militia", noting that the 18th century phrase, well-regulated, in this context had a connotation of military preparedness.
For the one person who thought I was advocating terrorism -- NO -- and, I'm sorry you got the wrong impression. I want the exact opposite: a free, armed, neutral republic, that can prevent or fend off any attack, but otherwise, minds its own business.