Florida State Defense Force
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on 02 December 2021 that he would reinstating the Florida State Guard and would seek $3.5 million in the budget to do it. The state guard was formed in 1941 and filled in for the Florida National Guard troops when they were deployed during World War II. In the late 1940s, the unit was disbanded. The governor said he wanted “to make sure we have the flexibility—and the ability needed—to respond to events in our state in the most effective way possible.” The state guard would answer to the governor with no federal deployment, or missions, and would receive no federal dollars. It would operate as a totally volunteer force of about 200 members who would assist the National Guard during natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and any other state-specific emergencies. “We want to be able to have a quick response capability and re-establishing the Florida State Guard will allow civilians from all over the state to be trained in the best emergency response techniques, and have the ability to mobilize very, very quickly.”
Chris Cillizza, CNN Editor-at-large, said the move was clearly aimed at burnishing his credentials and persona for a future presidential run. What better way to signal just how committed he is to the rights of individual states to govern themselves than to build a force in his home state that he controls? What better way to help people envision you as commander-in-chief than to, well, install yourself as commander-in-chief of your state?
Under 2021 Florida Statutes Title XVII MILITARY AFFAIRS AND RELATED MATTERS, Chapter 251 FLORIDA STATE DEFENSE FORCE "Whenever any part of the National Guard of this state is in active federal service, the Governor is hereby authorized to organize and maintain, within this state during such period, under such regulations as the Secretary of Defense of the United States may prescribe for discipline in training, such military forces as the Governor may deem necessary to assist the civil authorities in maintaining law and order. Such forces shall be composed of officers commissioned or assigned, and such able-bodied citizens of the state as shall volunteer for service therein, supplemented, if necessary, by personnel of the Florida National Guard enrolled by draft or otherwise, as provided by law. Such forces shall be additional to and distinct from the National Guard and shall be known as the Florida State Defense Force. Such forces shall be uniformed. The Governor is authorized to maintain a Florida State Defense Force reserve cadre of officers and noncommissioned officers, said officers to be a trained nucleus for such time as the Florida State Defense Force may be activated. Said officers shall be volunteers and shall serve with no pay or allowances except when called to active duty.
"The Adjutant General is hereby authorized to prescribe military regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, governing the enlistment, organization, administration, equipment, maintenance, training and discipline of such Florida State Defense Force; provided, such military regulations, insofar as the Adjutant General deems practicable and desirable, shall conform to existing law governing and pertaining to the National Guard and the military regulations promulgated thereunder; and prohibit the acceptance of gifts, donations, gratuities, or anything of value, by such Florida State Defense Force, or by any member of such Florida State Defense Force, from any individual, firm, association, or corporation, by reason of such membership.
"For the use of such Florida State Defense Force, the Governor is hereby authorized to requisition from the Secretary of Defense such arms and equipment as may be in possession of, and can be spared by, the Defense Department; and to make available to such Florida State Defense Force the facilities of state armories and their equipment and such other state premises and property as may be available.
"Such Florida State Defense Force shall not be required to serve outside the boundaries of this state, except that any organization, unit, or detachment of such Florida State Defense Force, upon order of the officer in immediate command thereof, may continue in fresh pursuit of insurrectionists, saboteurs, enemies, or enemy forces beyond the borders of this state into another state until they are apprehended or captured by such organization, unit, or detachment, or until the military or police forces of the other state, or the forces of the United States, have had a reasonable opportunity to take up the pursuit or to apprehend or capture such persons; provided, such other state shall have given authority by law for such pursuit by such Florida State Defense Force. Any such person, who shall be apprehended or captured in such other state by an organization, unit, or detachment of the Florida State Defense Force, shall, without unnecessary delay, be surrendered to the military or police forces of the state in which she or he is taken or to the United States; but such surrender shall not constitute a waiver by this state of its right to extradite or prosecute such person for any crime committed in this state.
"Any military forces or organization, unit or detachment thereof, of another state, who are in fresh pursuit of insurrectionists, saboteurs, enemies or enemy forces, may continue such pursuit into this state until the military or police forces of this state or the forces of the United States, have had a reasonable opportunity to take up the pursuit or to apprehend or capture such persons; and they are hereby authorized to arrest or capture such persons within this state while in fresh pursuit. Any such person, who shall be captured or arrested by the military forces of such other state while in this state, shall without unnecessary delay be surrendered to the military or police forces of this state to be dealt with according to law. This section shall not be construed so as to make unlawful any arrest in this state which would otherwise be lawful."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
