Distinguishing California’s State Defense Forces: The California State Guard and State Assembly Militia
Historical Context and Evolution
California’s approach to state defense has evolved over the past century.
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Originally, the California State Guard (CSG) was the primary organized state defense force, conducting all state defense operations, especially when the California National Guard was federalized, unavailable, or nonexistent.
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The CSG’s mission: maintain internal security, provide military support when needed, and ensure readiness during emergencies, operating as a formal military reserve under direct state command authority.
During periods of heightened need (e.g., World Wars), California also authorized parallel organizations:
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California State Militia (CSM)—sometimes called the State Assembly Militia or Home Guard:
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Loosely organized, often self-equipped
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Focused on hyper-local defense, restricted to home counties
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Not compensated, organized for last-resort defense and community readiness
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Over time, most militia units (county based under the direct authority of the County Reeve (Sheriff)) were absorbed into the CSG or mustered out as the need for large internal forces diminished. Today, the original CSG, as is the same for all remaining State Defense Forces in The United States of America should be the lawfully recognized, state-sanctioned defense force by the State Assembly Militia, Land and Soil Jurisdiction. All other local militia and assembly groups that persist in various forms, but not under the “Land and Soil” or “State Assembly Militia” banners would not be authorized.
