Massachusetts State Defense Force facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Massachusetts State Defense Force
Massachusetts State Defense Force insignia.
Active	1863-1868, 1898-1899, 1905-1911, 1917-1919, 1942-1947, 1964-1976, 1981-1985?,1994–2008, 2011–2016 (currently inactive)
Country	United States
Allegiance	Massachusetts
Branch	Army
Type	State defense force
Role	Military reserve force
Part of	Massachusetts Organized Militia
Garrison/HQ	Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
Website	MSDF Official Website: https://web.archive.org/web/20141206081624/http://states.ng.mil/sites/MA/resources/MSDF/default.aspx
Commanders
Civilian leadership	Governor Charlie Baker (Governor of the State of Massachusetts)
State military leadership	Brigadier General Gary Smith

The Massachusetts State Defense Force (MSDF) was a special group of volunteers in Massachusetts. It was like a backup team for the Massachusetts National Guard. The MSDF helped out during emergencies in the state, especially when the National Guard was away.

This group was made up of volunteers. They reported to the state's top military leader, called the Adjutant General. The Governor of Massachusetts was in charge of the MSDF. Members usually trained one weekend each month. They would only be called into action by the Governor during a real emergency. The MSDF was located in Milford, Massachusetts, in the same building as the National Guard.

The MSDF worked only within Massachusetts. They could not be sent to other states or countries. Their jobs included helping the National Guard, taking over state duties when the Guard was deployed, and giving emergency support during disasters. They also helped with special ceremonies and military funerals.

A Look Back in Time

How It Started

The idea for the MSDF began a long time ago. A group called the Massachusetts General Court first created a similar force in 1863. This was during the American Civil War. Massachusetts sent many units to help the Union during the war. This early group was disbanded in 1866.

Later, in 1898, a new version was formed for the Spanish–American War. It was called the Massachusetts Provisional Militia. This group also helped out before being disbanded in 1899.

The 20th Century and World Wars

By 1908, the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia had grown quite a bit. It had over 6,500 members.

In April 1917, the militia was reformed again. It was renamed the Massachusetts State Guard. This happened because of World War I. Many states created their own guard units. This was in case of an invasion or other emergency. The National Guard was often deployed away from home.

After the Halifax Explosion in Canada in 1917, a medical team from the Massachusetts State Guard was among the first to arrive and help. To thank them, the city of Halifax started a tradition. They send a Christmas tree to Boston every year. This tradition still continues today!

During the Influenza pandemic of 1918, the Massachusetts State Guard also helped. They ran nine hospitals to care for sick people.

The State Guard was active again during World War II. They trained to act as a light infantry division. They practiced capturing "enemy paratroopers" and using different combat skills. They also had a "Flying Column." This was a quick response team ready for action. The State Guard also had a Women's Defense Force (WDC). These women helped with medical care, firefighting, and communications.

Later, during the Vietnam War, the Massachusetts State Guard was trained to replace the 26th Infantry Division of the National Guard if it was deployed.

Recent History

The Guard changed its name to the Massachusetts Military Reserve in 1994. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the name Massachusetts State Guard was brought back.

The Massachusetts State Defense Force became inactive in 2008. But it was reactivated on May 31, 2011. This was because more help was needed for emergency management. The National Guard was often deployed, so the state needed more resources. The State Defense Force was deactivated again in 2016.

What the MSDF Did

The main job of the Massachusetts State Defense Force was to handle state duties. They stepped in when the Massachusetts National Guard was deployed. This meant the Governor always had military units in the state ready for emergencies.

The MSDF's main tasks included:

• Helping with disaster relief.
• Supporting the Massachusetts National Guard with special skills.
• Providing medical help during and after disasters.
• Assisting with color guards and military funerals.

In 2011, when the MSDF was reformed, they planned to do even more. This included:

• Supporting the National Guard with professional staff. This meant having lawyers, chaplains, IT experts, and medical staff.
• Helping with National Guard operations. This included special teams for chemical, biological, and nuclear emergencies.

Who Could Join

The Massachusetts State Guard looked for certain people to join. This included:

• People who had served honorably in the U.S. military. This included active duty, reserve, and National Guard members.
• Religious leaders from any faith.
• Health professionals like doctors, nurses, dentists, and therapists.
• Lawyers who could practice law in Massachusetts.

To become an officer in the MSDF, a person needed a bachelor's degree.

Like the National Guard, members served part-time. They were only called into full service by the Governor. This meant they only had to commit to one weekend of training per month.

How They Were Organized

Members of the MSDF were part of different groups. They could be assigned to the MSDF's staff brigade. Or they could be in one of three battalions:

• The 1st Battalion (Operational Support)
• The 2nd Battalion (Professional Support)
• The 3rd Battalion (Medical Response Force)

What They Wore

The Massachusetts State Defense Force wore the Army Combat Uniform. This is a type of military uniform. Instead of saying "U.S. Army," their patch said "Massachusetts." They also wore an MSDF unit patch on their left sleeve. If they had earned awards from federal or National Guard service, they could wear those too.

Job Protection

Under Massachusetts law, MSDF members had special job protections. This meant if they were called to duty, their employers had to give them time off. And they were guaranteed their job back when they returned. This is similar to the protections given to federal reservists.