US Code TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 13 > § 311

§ 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.



Amendment II, United States Constitution

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.







In the United States of America the Militia is the people. It is older then the government itself and the military. The Militia is what keeps America a land of the free and a home of the brave. The guys you see in photos are folks that are "training". Some really mean what they do and some want to play weekend warrior. But the Militia is the people of the United States of America. It is every American Citizen that owns a firearm. The Militia is what keep the government in check. It is "We The People".

That's actually really well put.
And they may not seem necessary right NOW, but you really don't know how it'll be fifty or a hundred years down the road.

true, just hoped their better prepared and aquainted with their land.

Either way, you can't really tell from simply photos alone... the impression isn't good but I'm sure there are a few out there who are busy getting their thing right instead of posing for photo ops.

Sure, joining the Army is great if you want to serve your COUNTRY. But militia is for those who want to serve their COMMUNITY, rather than being shipped overseas to fight. Of course, the probability of a foreign invasion is almost nil, but some threats to freedom are domestic, and America cannot possibly remain the most powerful country forever.

Still, militias lack recruitment standards and training. Some of these pics give the impression that they just want to show up with their guns and act all tacticool with a bunch of other guys while drinking beers.

Like I said, I can see the militia as a place where ex-military people with regular jobs might want to be to keep their skills up and have some kind of organized way to help out during disasters or other situations.
As for non-ex-military... for the most part I'd doubt their standards.

Originally Posted by Infern0

one question, i thought that some of these militias are havens for a variety of crazies (white supremacists etc), how are the militias policed? is it that common to have militias with questionable motive etc

I agree,I think helping Americans trying to Fight terrorism is a great,idea.
I love America.
But the Militia is mabe of crazies in my opion. There is no policing with in the ranks them selves I don't think.
They should help the Police fight the K.K.K. and Neo-Nazies and Russian
Mafia in America. they don't they lie.
I wouldn't join.

The Militia movement in the USA is not policed. Most groups are not crazies (white supremacistsm, K.K.K., Neo-Nazies, etc). Some groups are but they're K.K.K., Neo-Nazies, white supremacistsm already.

MOst from what I have seen are either folks that want to better themselves and their communities or they're a little on the paranoid side of the government. They don't want to overthrow it but they sure are not friendly of the government.

Sweet!