Have you looked up Patriot in the Dictionary? Would you be surprised to see your picture there?
patriot
- a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
- a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights…
country
- an indefinite usually extended expanse of land
- the land of a person’s birth, residence, or citizenship
- a political state or nation or its territory
- the people of a state or district
- rural as distinguished from urban areas prefers the country to the city
If you live in Missouri and are between the age of 17 and 64, did you know you are a Patriot?
- US Constitution Second Amendment
- A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
- Missouri Constitution
- Section 46. Militia.—The general assembly shall provide for the organization, equipment, regulations and functions of an adequate militia, and shall conform the same as nearly as practicable to the regulations for the government of the armed forces of the United States.
- Missouri Statutes RSMO Chapter 41
- State militia, members. — The militia of the state shall include all able-bodied citizens and all other able-bodied residents, who, in the case of the unorganized militia and the Missouri state defense force, shall be more than seventeen years of age and not more than sixty-four, and such other persons as may upon their own application be enrolled or commissioned therein, and who, in the case of the organized militia, shall be within the age limits and possess the physical and mental qualifications prescribed by law or regulations for the reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States, except that this section shall not be construed to require militia service of any persons specifically exempted by the laws of the United States or the state of Missouri. The maximum age requirement may be waived by the adjutant general on a case-by-case basis.
So you ask ‘how does this affect me’?
We are all part of the Missouri State Defense Force, by statute. But statute does not provide training and skills to act ‘as such’ if called upon. The Missouri Militia provides training for that eventuality. Should we be called upon by the Governor, the National Guard would be installed in each unit and provide command authority. Then, the only question would be, are you well prepared or not?
What makes the Missouri Militia different?
The Missouri Militia is not self-activating. Only the Governor, or the President of the United States, can activate the Missouri Militia per RSMO 41.040. But we must train and be prepared for such orders.