Militia
A militia is a group of people who are not in the standing army or regular military but do many military tasks such as collecting weapons, training soldiers, defending people or land and policing an area. Militias are often made up of veterans, who used to be in the military.
Some militias, like the United States National Guard, are organized by a government. It is a group of state militias that help with wars, natural disasters and other emergencies. Others are not connected to a government and may even be illegal. One common definition of a militia includes all men who can serve as soldiers.
In the early late 20th century, some militias acted as professional forces but were still "part-time" or "on-call" organizations.
Militia Media
Mustering in the "Hempstead Rifles," Arkansas Volunteers, at Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1861.
- Luetzows verwegene jagd aquarellreproduktion 1900.jpg
The Lützow Free Corps during the Napoleonic Wars. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Freikorps referred to volunteer forces that fought against the French.
- Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1971-033-15, Vorbeimarsch des Volkssturms an Goebbels, Berlin.jpg
The Volkssturm was a national militia formed by Nazi Germany in the last months of World War II.
- John Smith 1624 map of Bermuda with Forts 01.jpg
Captain John Smith's 1624 map of the Somers Isles (Bermuda), showing St. George's Town and related fortifications, including the Castle Islands Fortifications with their garrisons of militia infantry and volunteer artillery.
- Thomas Rowlandson - A Review of the Northapmton Militia at Brackley - Google Art Project.jpg
A review of the Northampton Militia. Formed in 1763, its men were selected by ballot to serve for a period of time.
Recruitment poster for the British Territorial Army during World War II. The reserve force was formed after the militias were reorganized in 1907.
- Royal Visit 2012 0010.jpg
A non-commissioned officer of the Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey. The unit is one of two regiments in the Territorial Army that maintain their militia designation.
Uniformed American militiamen during the American Civil War.
- Missouri National Guard training.jpg
Members of the United States National Guard undergoing self-defense training. The force was created in 1903 as an organized militia.
