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Volunteer military forces provide homeland security around the world

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With the high Operations Tempo (OPTEMPO) in the current world environment, in addition to the United States, other nations are also experiencing a reduction in force while mission requirements are on the increase (e.g., homeland security). However, a shortage in troop strength does not mitigate the requirement to maintain security with the many and varied nonstate actors who remain a serious danger to the world at large. In addition, local, state, and Federal first responders are also challenged as mission requirements dictate an ever-widening range of contingencies of natural and man-made disasters ranging from floods, hurricanes, or a large significant event (e.g., the September 11, 2001 attacks) in addition to the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction. To add troop strength, both the United States and other countries are again calling on their "Home Guard" and other Volunteer Military Organizations (VMOs) as augmentation forces. Along with the federally sponsored U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol, there are states within the nation that have an active U.S. Code Title 32 authorized "Home Guard" or State Defense Force (SDF) unit and several with active Naval Militias (22 states and Puerto Rico). These VMOs, much like their predecessors during World Wars I and II, have a specific focus on homeland security and other skill sets to assist the first responder community. This paper presents the history, missions, and organizational structure of the U.S. Home Guard, or State Defense Force; the Canadian Rangers; the Norwegian Home Guard; the Danish Home Guard; the Swedish Home Guard; and the Indian Territorial Army.

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Summary Note

With the high Operations Tempo (OPTEMPO) in the current world environment, in addition to the United States, other nations are also experiencing a reduction in force while mission requirements are on the increase (e.g., homeland security). However, a shortage in troop strength does not mitigate the requirement to maintain security with the many and varied nonstate actors who remain a serious danger to the world at large. In addition, local, state, and Federal first responders are also challenged as mission requirements dictate an ever-widening range of contingencies of natural and man-made disasters ranging from floods, hurricanes, or a large significant event (e.g., the September 11, 2001 attacks) in addition to the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction. To add troop strength, both the United States and other countries are again calling on their "Home Guard" and other Volunteer Military Organizations (VMOs) as augmentation forces. Along with the federally sponsored U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol, there are states within the nation that have an active U.S. Code Title 32 authorized "Home Guard" or State Defense Force (SDF) unit and several with active Naval Militias (22 states and Puerto Rico). These VMOs, much like their predecessors during World Wars I and II, have a specific focus on homeland security and other skill sets to assist the first responder community. This paper presents the history, missions, and organizational structure of the U.S. Home Guard, or State Defense Force; the Canadian Rangers; the Norwegian Home Guard; the Danish Home Guard; the Swedish Home Guard; and the Indian Territorial Army.

General Note

"Published with permission of the author, to be presented to Jane's Information Group, The Royal United Services Institute, December 11, 2007, London, England"--p. [1].

Content Note

Volunteer military forces provide homeland security around the world -- The Canadian Rangers -- The Norwegian Home Guard -- Danish Home Guard -- Swedish Home Guard -- Indian Territorial Army -- Concluding thoughts.