State Defense Forces

State Defense Forces are military organizations that operate under the authority of a state government, separate from the federal military. They are composed of trained volunteers who support state, local, and emergency operations, such as disaster response or homeland security, without replacing or duplicating active-duty military forces. These forces typically work alongside National Guard units but do not have the same activation requirements or federal oversight. Their primary role is to provide additional manpower, specialized skills, and support within the state to ensure safety and resilience during emergencies and other state needs.