Training

Assume control of National Guard facilities. Assist in National Guard mobilization. Support the National Guard with family assistance. Perform all tasks currently performed by the National Guard to protect live and property. Perform task unique to the post mobilization environment.

Legal Authority

44-1. Composition of militia. The militia of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall consist of all able-bodied citizens of this Commonwealth and all other able-bodied persons resident in this Commonwealth who have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, who are at least sixteen years of age and, except as hereinafter provided, not more than sixty-five years of age. The militia shall be divided into four classes, the National Guard, which includes the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, the Virginia State Defense Force, the naval militia, and the unorganized militia. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+44-1 § 44-54.4. Organization; definitions. The Virginia State Defense Force with a targeted membership of at least 1,200 shall be organized within and subject to the control of the Department of Military Affairs. When called to state active duty, the mission of the Virginia State Defense Force shall be to (i) provide for an adequately trained organized reserve militia to assume control of Virginia National Guard facilities and to secure any federal and state property left in place in the event of the mobilization of the Virginia National Guard, (ii) assist in the mobilization of the Virginia National Guard, (iii) support the Virginia National Guard in providing family assistance to military dependents within the Commonwealth in the event of the mobilization of the Virginia National Guard, (iv) provide a military force to respond to the call of the Governor in those circumstances described in § 44-75.1. Nothing in this article shall be construed as authorizing the Virginia State Defense Force or any part thereof to be called, ordered or in any manner drafted by federal authorities into the military service of the United States. However, no person by reason of his enlistment or appointment in the Virginia State Defense Force shall be exempted from military service under any law of the United States. Members of the Virginia State Defense Force may serve in either of the following duty statuses: 1. "Training duty," which is the normal service and training performed by the Virginia State Defense Force in order to be prepared for state active duty, and which includes but is not limited to organization, administration, recruiting, maintenance of equipment and training. 2. "State active duty," which is the performance of actual military service for the Commonwealth when called by the Governor or his designee to active duty in service of the Commonwealth in accordance with Article 7 (§ 44-75.1 et seq.) of this chapter.

34th Battalion

LTC Willaim Cole Commander

Training

Battalion Menu

Administrative Menu

Link Menu

Our Mission

Legal Authority