California State Military Reserve
Encyclopedia
The California State Military Reserve (CSMR) is the state defense force
of California
. The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency when the National Guard
is deployed. Its current mission is to assist the National Guard especially in concern to homeland security
.
s of other branches of the United States Military as well as former members of the California Army and Air National Guard. They are considered uncompensated employees, and when called to emergency state active duty, they become compensated employees. The force is headquartered in Sacramento, CA.
All citizens who are not felon
s and possess a high school diploma are eligible, although military veterans and those with special skills which materially contribute to the CSMR mission are preferred.
in its Homeland Security Mission by providing individual soldiers and airmen as well as rapid response teams to Military Assistance to Civil Authorities missions in the preparation, prevention, deterrence, preemption, defense, and mitigation of natural and man-made threats to California.
Members of the CSMR are required to donate a minimum of 200 hours annually. Part of that time is spent at Unit Training Assemblies (drills or meetings) which are usually eight to twelve hours on one Saturday each month. These drills are used for training sessions, activity coordination, and to work with the National Guard counterparts. CSMR soldiers embedded with National Guard units for training purposes will drill the full weekend with their National Guard counterparts.
Class "A" and "B" uniforms as well as the Army Combat Uniform
(ACU) and CSMR airmen of the Air Component wear the standard U.S. Air Force Service Dress uniforms, as well as the Airman Battle Uniform
(ABU) or Battle Dress Uniform
(BDU). All uniforms have distinctive state insignia designating them as a member of the California State Military Reserve. All officers and enlisted members are responsible for purchasing their uniforms and accessories. This could require an investment of about $300. However, a yearly $125 uniform and travel allowance has been authorized for all SMR soldiers and airmen who have maintained 100% attendance in a twelve month period.
and World War I
. The California Naval Militia was reactivated in 1976 by the Governor of California. Unlike New York and the few other states with ship-borne active naval militia units, the California Naval Militia is a small unit of military lawyers and strategists who provide advice and legal expertise in the field of military and naval matters for the benefit of California's state defense force. It has not been a branch of the California state militia since it was mustered into the Navy
during World War I
State Defense Forces
State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency when the National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
is deployed. Its current mission is to assist the National Guard especially in concern to homeland security
Homeland security
Homeland security is an umbrella term for security efforts to protect states against terrorist activity. Specifically, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do...
.
Organization
The California State Military Reserve is authorized as a state defense force under the provisions of the Title 32, United States Code, Section 109(c) and the California State Military Reserve Act (codified in the California Military and Veterans Code). It is one of five components of the California Military Department and has legal standing as part of California's Active Militia .Members and Recruiting
The force consists of citizens who possess a variety of skills, and many members are veteranVeteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s of other branches of the United States Military as well as former members of the California Army and Air National Guard. They are considered uncompensated employees, and when called to emergency state active duty, they become compensated employees. The force is headquartered in Sacramento, CA.
All citizens who are not felon
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
s and possess a high school diploma are eligible, although military veterans and those with special skills which materially contribute to the CSMR mission are preferred.
Units
As authorized by Table of Distribution and Allowances (15 Apr 2011)- Headquarters, California State Military Reserve
- Headquarters Company
- Regional Support Command - North
- 1st Task Force
- 2nd Task Force
- 1st Special Troops Battalion
- 2nd Special Troops Battalion
- Regional Support Command - South
- 1st Brigade (Army Support)
- 2nd Brigade (Civil Support)
- 1st Signal Support Company
- Installation Support Command
- ISC, Camp San Luis Obispo
- ISC, Camp Roberts
- Center for Military History
- Museum Support Unit
- Military History Unit
- 1st Field History Unit (North)
- 2nd Field History Unit (Central)
- 3rd Field History Unit (South)
- Troop Command
- Recruiting Task Force - North
- Recruiting Task Force - South
- Inactive Reserve Control Group
- Trial Defense Service
- Training Battalion - Youth Programs
- Det A - Tng Bn - Youth Programs
- Det B - Tng Bn - Youth Programs
- Headquarters, Air Support Command
- ASD - 129th RW Support Unit
- ASD - 144th FW Support Unit
- ASD - 146th AW Support Unit
- ASD - 162nd CC Support Unit
- ASD - 163rd RW Support Unit
Federal Activation
Like other state defense forces, the CSMR is not eligible for federal service. However, 10 USC 331-333 may grant powers to the federal government to call up the CSMR since militia is defined as both organized (National Guard) and unorganized under 10 USC 311(b).Duties
The CSMR assists the California National GuardCalifornia National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
in its Homeland Security Mission by providing individual soldiers and airmen as well as rapid response teams to Military Assistance to Civil Authorities missions in the preparation, prevention, deterrence, preemption, defense, and mitigation of natural and man-made threats to California.
Members of the CSMR are required to donate a minimum of 200 hours annually. Part of that time is spent at Unit Training Assemblies (drills or meetings) which are usually eight to twelve hours on one Saturday each month. These drills are used for training sessions, activity coordination, and to work with the National Guard counterparts. CSMR soldiers embedded with National Guard units for training purposes will drill the full weekend with their National Guard counterparts.
Uniforms
CSMR soldiers of the Army Component wear the standard ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Class "A" and "B" uniforms as well as the Army Combat Uniform
Army Combat Uniform
The Army Combat Uniform is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform worn during the 1980s and 1990s. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its...
(ACU) and CSMR airmen of the Air Component wear the standard U.S. Air Force Service Dress uniforms, as well as the Airman Battle Uniform
Airman Battle Uniform
The Airman Battle Uniform is a service-distinctive camouflage battledress uniform for the United States Air Force. It is currently in full production and replaced the Battle Dress Uniform November 1st, 2011 after a four year phase-in period...
(ABU) or Battle Dress Uniform
Battle Dress Uniform
The Battle Dress Uniform were the fatigues that the armed forces of the United States used as their standard uniform for combat situations from September 1981 to April 2005. Since then, it has been replaced in every branch of the U.S. military. Only the U.S. Navy currently authorizes wear of the...
(BDU). All uniforms have distinctive state insignia designating them as a member of the California State Military Reserve. All officers and enlisted members are responsible for purchasing their uniforms and accessories. This could require an investment of about $300. However, a yearly $125 uniform and travel allowance has been authorized for all SMR soldiers and airmen who have maintained 100% attendance in a twelve month period.
Naval Militia
The California Military and Veterans Code also provides for a naval branch. The California Naval Militia was founded in 1891 and grew to have many ships and sailors at statewide ports, from San Diego to Eureka. It provided officers and sailors to the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The California Naval Militia was reactivated in 1976 by the Governor of California. Unlike New York and the few other states with ship-borne active naval militia units, the California Naval Militia is a small unit of military lawyers and strategists who provide advice and legal expertise in the field of military and naval matters for the benefit of California's state defense force. It has not been a branch of the California state militia since it was mustered into the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
- See also the Naval militiaNaval militiaA naval militia in the United States is a reserve military organization administered under the authority of a state government. It is often composed of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard reservists, retirees and volunteers. They are distinguishable from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which is a...
article for more information.
Operation Fall Blaze
A past large-scale operation of the CSMR was during Operation Fall Blaze in October/November 2007, where over 100 citizen soldiers of the CSMR were integrated with their National Guard counterparts to assist firefighters fight the California wildfires.Operation Lightning Strike
The CSMR took an active and vital role in the 2008 Operation Lightning Strike, when Governor Schwarzennegger called on over 2,000 troops from the California Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and SMR to help overwhelmed fire fighters fight statewide wildfires.See also
- Military of the United StatesMilitary of the United StatesThe United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
- State Defense ForcesState Defense ForcesState defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...
- National Guard
- California Military DepartmentCalifornia Military DepartmentThe California Military Department is an agency defined under the California Military and Veterans code . The Military Department includes the office of the Adjutant General, the California National Guard, the California State Military Reserve, the California Cadet Corps, and the Naval...
- California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
- California Army National GuardCalifornia Army National GuardThe California Army National Guard is the land force component of the California National Guard, one of the reserve component United States Army and is part of the United States National Guard. The California Army National Guard is composed of about 20,000 soldiers...
- California Air National GuardCalifornia Air National GuardThe California Air National Guard is the air component of the California National Guard. The California Air National Guard is headquartered at Sacramento, California.One of the duties of the California Air National Guard is defense of the United States...
- California Army National Guard
- California National Guard
- California Maritime AcademyCalifornia Maritime AcademyThe California Maritime Academy is one of 23 campuses in the California State University system and is one of only seven degree-granting maritime academies in the United States...
--an unrelated maritime academy/university which is operated by the California State UniversityCalifornia State UniversityThe California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
. - California Military AcademyCalifornia Military AcademyThe California Military Academy is a military academy of the California Army National Guard located at Camp San Luis Obispo.-History:The school started as an idea of an "Officer Candidate School" in 1950. However, a need for an academy in California convinced Major General Curtis D. O’Sullivan to...
--an unrelated military training academy run by the California Army National Guard
External links
- California State Military Reserve
- Office of the Adjutant General - the Executive Officer and Commander of the California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
and California State Military Reserve - 32 U.S.C. § 109
- California Military & Veterans Code
- Index to Militia Units of the State of California 1850-1881