Permenant Re-Establishment of the Florida State Guard/Florida State Defense Force
WHEREAS Since the founding of the United States of America, local militias have played an important role in its defense and security. Bolstered by the Founding Father’s concerns about maintaining a large standing army and preserved within the Constitution, the concept of the citizen soldier has since become ingrained in American culture and government.
WHEREAS Currently, 23 states and territories have modern militias. As of 2005, these militias had a force strength of approximately 14,000 individuals nationwide. State Defense Forces, are distinct from the Reserves and the National Guard in that they serve no federal function. In times of both war and peace, SDFs remain solely under the control of their governors, allowing the governors to deploy them easily and readily in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
WHEREAS Florida is now the 3rd most populated State in the United States. With that, California the first most populated has the State Military Reserve, Texas first the second most populated has the Texas State Guard and New York the fourth most populated has the New York Guard and the New York Naval Militia. Those 3 states, along with 17 other states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently have State Defense Forces
WHEREAS Florida is a state with a high probability and frequency of Natural and Manmade Disaster, ranging from floods to hurricanes and tornados, from Missing Persons to Terrorist Threats.
WHERAS The past couple decades have seen near constant war and conflict, and since September 11, 2001 this nation and the State of Florida has seen an ever increasing threat from both international and domestic terrorism from groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
WHEREAS The Governor of the State of Florida is authorized by Chapter 251 of Florida Statutes to establish a Florida State Defense Force whenever all or part of the Florida National Guard is called to Federal Active Duty, and to maintain a reserve cadre of officers and NCO’s for such time as the Defense Force shall be activated.
THEREFORE We the people of the state of Florida petition Governor Richard Scott to re-establish the Florida State Defense Force as authorized by chapter 251 Florida Statutes. We also petition the Florida Legislature to revise said chapter to allow for the permanent re-establishment of a State Defense Force, to serve not only in the absence of the Florida National Guard but also to serve beside the National Guard as a force multiplier in cases of emergency and disaster.
6 Comments
Reactivation of the FSG/FSDF would be an extraodinary tool not only for the State but to allow citizens to serve and also capitalize on the many veterans in Florida that would like to serve again.
Defense Support of Civil Authority is a vast asset for all citizens and agencies of Florida, from City and County to District and State augmentation.
Would be nice to be able to join the FL SDF when I retire and move to FL!
The Florida State Guard is more necessary than ever, we're eager to serve our state with commitment and honor, take this into consideration when the bill is in your desk for the correspondent approval sir. Thank you in advance SFC Ruben E Rios Army ret
Florida State Defense Forces reactivation its necessary to support our National Guard troops and defend our state.
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Permenant Re-Establishment of the Florida State Guard/Florida State Defense Force
WHEREAS Since the founding of the United States of America, local militias have played an important role in its defense and security. Bolstered by the Founding Father’s concerns about maintaining a large standing army and preserved within the Constitution, the concept of the citizen soldier has since become ingrained in American culture and government.
WHEREAS Currently, 23 states and territories have modern militias. As of 2005, these militias had a force strength of approximately 14,000 individuals nationwide. State Defense Forces, are distinct from the Reserves and the National Guard in that they serve no federal function. In times of both war and peace, SDFs remain solely under the control of their governors, allowing the governors to deploy them easily and readily in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
WHEREAS Florida is now the 3rd most populated State in the United States. With that, California the first most populated has the State Military Reserve, Texas first the second most populated has the Texas State Guard and New York the fourth most populated has the New York Guard and the New York Naval Militia. Those 3 states, along with 17 other states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently have State Defense Forces
WHEREAS Florida is a state with a high probability and frequency of Natural and Manmade Disaster, ranging from floods to hurricanes and tornados, from Missing Persons to Terrorist Threats.
WHERAS The past couple decades have seen near constant war and conflict, and since September 11, 2001 this nation and the State of Florida has seen an ever increasing threat from both international and domestic terrorism from groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
WHEREAS The Governor of the State of Florida is authorized by Chapter 251 of Florida Statutes to establish a Florida State Defense Force whenever all or part of the Florida National Guard is called to Federal Active Duty, and to maintain a reserve cadre of officers and NCO’s for such time as the Defense Force shall be activated.
THEREFORE We the people of the state of Florida petition Governor Richard Scott to re-establish the Florida State Defense Force as authorized by chapter 251 Florida Statutes. We also petition the Florida Legislature to revise said chapter to allow for the permanent re-establishment of a State Defense Force, to serve not only in the absence of the Florida National Guard but also to serve beside the National Guard as a force multiplier in cases of emergency and disaster.
6 Comments
After federal service, I have been honored to serve in the Georgia State Defense Force and the New Mexico State Guard. These entities saved state government mega thousands of dollars, while providing credential and professional chaplain personnel, medical and nursing staff, food services and transportation soldiers. Florida once had the Florida State Defense Force during WW II...we need it desperately ...again.
Reactivation of the FSG/FSDF would be an extraodinary tool not only for the State but to allow citizens to serve and also capitalize on the many veterans in Florida that would like to serve again.
Defense Support of Civil Authority is a vast asset for all citizens and agencies of Florida, from City and County to District and State augmentation.
Would be nice to be able to join the FL SDF when I retire and move to FL!
The Florida State Guard is more necessary than ever, we're eager to serve our state with commitment and honor, take this into consideration when the bill is in your desk for the correspondent approval sir. Thank you in advance SFC Ruben E Rios Army ret
Florida State Defense Forces reactivation its necessary to support our National Guard troops and defend our state.
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After federal service, I have been honored to serve in the Georgia State Defense Force and the New Mexico State Guard. These entities saved state government mega thousands of dollars, while providing credential and professional chaplain personnel, medical and nursing staff, food services and transportation soldiers. Florida once had the Florida State Defense Force during WW II...we need it desperately ...again.