You're in the Army Now ...or Should Be

American Thinker ^ | 12/26/2012 | Ebben Raves

[ebshumidors]

Militia: a word which has been twisted into something that has an entirely different meaning from when our country was founded and now with its every utterance, spits on the graves of those who died in our nation's birthing. Thanks to the Clintonite media after the Oklahoma City slaughter, just the mention of it conjures up images of rednecks dressed in camouflage, running around the woods with plans to kill everyone isight. A fringe element with who knows what on their minds -- but you can bet it is evil. It is a group that has little in common with the farmers, shopkeepers, and mechanics of Lexington, Concord and Battle Road.

But what really is the militia? According to United States Code, Title 10 USC § 311 -- Militia: composition and classes:

(a)The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

(b)The classes of the militia are-

(1)the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and

(2)the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/12/youre_in_the_army_now_or_should_be.html#ixzz2GAPqMl9L

[ebshumidors]

FWIW.

[csmusaret]

except as provided in section 313 of title 32,

What does section 313 say?

[TADSLOS]

Article 32 Section 313:

(a) To be eligible for original enlistment in the National Guard,
a person must be at least 17 years of age and under 45, or under 64
years of age and a former member of the Regular Army, Regular Navy,
Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps. To be eligible for
reenlistment, a person must be under 64 years of age.
(b) To be eligible for appointment as an officer of the National
Guard, a person must -
(1) be a citizen of the United States; and
(2) be at least 18 years of age and under 64.

[The Great RJ]

It was an unorganized militia that faced the British troops at Concord bridge in 1775 and more unorganized militia that fought these troops on their retreat to Boston. The British troops were marching on Lexington and Concord to seize weapons from the colonial militias. That should give some perspective on the origins of the Second Amendment.

One of the prime causes of the armed rebellion against British rule was excessive taxation. Perhaps those in Washington should take note of how history can repeat itself.

[csmusaret]

Thank you but that along with this sentence:”(a)The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard”, make for some confusing language.

[chrisser]

Being 45, I’m a little disappointed at that upper cutoff age.

Would that preclude someone over 45 from joining a militia without prior service, or is that just the cutoff age for compulsary service?

Hypothetically, of course...

[Salvavida]

We'll take you.

MODERNMILITIAMOVEMENT.COM

It's the cutoff age that legally defines the pool of men that can be called up by a governor. But don't take that as an obstacle because the people are the militia. Any citizen's militia group will take you. That are plenty that are over 45.

[DNME]

Neighbors guarding neighbors. I have no problem with that.

I’m not thrilled with the idea of armed ruffians prowling the streets in pickup trucks, but a “well-regulated” (i.e. officers, oversight, training, etc.) militia sounds fine, even if it is an “unorganized” militia. (The feds are quick to “nationalize” state National Guard units, which I think is just a reserve branch of the Regular Army.)

Towns are losing (union) police officers due to prohibitive costs, so somebody will have to pick up the slack. I trust my neighbors to do the right thing.

As for being over the age limit, I’m sure “volunteers” could help out in other ways, such as logistics, cooking, admin, etc.

[chrisser]

Thanks.

I wouldn’t want to miss the party.

In all seriousness, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the future, especially in terms of being armed. By the looks of it, others have done the same.

But it also occured to me that I’m hardly in what anyone would call “fighting shape”.

I’ve started a modest exercise program to loose a few pounds and gain some strength and endurance.

Curious if anyone else has had similar thoughts? I’ve come to the conclusion that being fit, healthy and strong may be crucial in the coming years.

[WKUHilltopper]

This may be worthwhile considering...these days.

[VietVet]

“It was an unorganised militia that faced the British...at Concord...”

Not at all. The militias of the New England colonies were highly organised, enroled by township and divided into active (the Minutemen) and reserve components. They held regular training, and were supported by the community. Fines were assessed for missing drill or not having the required arms, and weapons and ammunition were purchased with the money. It was these community owned munitions, muskets, cannons and cannon balls, and powder, that were stored at Concord, and which the British were marching to seize and destroy.

[apoliticalone]

This is how the controlled media works. They specifically target groups that they perceive as a threat to aristocratic domination, be it the Tea Party, gun owners, etc and are attempting through their propaganda to turn them into racist pariahs of society. In reality the media represents the racists that target average Americans.

Throughout the history of the world the aristocrats MO was to turn the masses into disarmed serfs.

[Wolfie]

You're in the Army Now ...or Should Be

Just not the one that goes and fights in the real wars. That's for other people.

[VietVet]

The federal law defines those who can be called up by the federal government. The various states have their own militia laws which set the limits for state service. In Maryland, the militia is (or was when I was an active member) all able bodied males between the ages of 16 and 60.

In addition, there is another organized component of the militia called the State Defense Forces (aka State Guards, State Military Reserves, aso). Not all states have State Defense Forces. They are not subject to federal call-up (unlike the National Guard), nor do they recieve federal funds (which is why they are neglected by most state AG’s).

[Hayride]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YazWnGcVlWA

The OKC bombing might have forever tainted many people on the word militia. Although it was actually sloppy, it was a very successful false flag operation. When you’ve got a dumbed down, easily manipulated, emotional audience, you can get away with murder.

[Blue Collar Christian]

“Curious if anyone else has had similar thoughts? I’ve come to the conclusion that being fit, healthy and strong may be crucial in the coming years.”

Can’t hurt. Took me two heart attacks to finally pull my head out of my butt and get in shape. Not fit enough to take on a 20 year old commando, but I could give the average Joe Sixpack a noogie that would make him cry for his mama.

[cizinec]

They were a lot of things, but unorganized they were not.

I assume you are referring to the engagement at the North Bridge. This included the Acton militia under the command of Captain Isaac Davis. His soldiers had all the equipment a soldier of the period was expected to have, including bayonets.

Yes, they elected leaders. Yes, they deliberated on tactics. This was, however, a very well organized group.

[kimtom]

WKU, is that western Kentucky?

I watched the militia in the 90’s, and I am convinced, they changed politics then and aided in keeping the socialist quiet.

and we are in far worse state today!!!

[cizinec]

Chrisser,

I don’t know what state you are in, but many states have something called a “state guard,” which is a part of state military forces, but not federal military forces.

I believe there are 18 states with a state guard. Most have age cutoffs at 60.

I live in Texas and the Texas State Guard, which has Army, Air, Naval and Marine components, are very active. They wear the uniforms of their respective branches with the state flag instead of the US flag. They have been deployed by the governor for state emergencies. They are not issued weapons, but may use there own to qualify, although qualifications aren’t required.

IMO, every state should have very active state guards. It has traditionally been the states’ responsibilities. Since the National Guard is heavily federalized, the states have been stripped of the powers orginally intended.

I am moving to Oklahoma, which has statutes for such a force, but where no such force exists. I find that unacceptable and will be sending letters to my state legislators and the governor’s office.

[WKUHilltopper]

“WKU, is that western Kentucky?”

Yes.

Beat Central Michigan today in the Little Caesars Bowl!