Article Problem Of Militia

New Article From Prestigious Author: The Problem of Militia

We are thrilled to announce the release of our sixth feature article, which dives into the modern perception that arises with the word, militia. The article focuses on the shifting perceptions and roles of militias in the U.S., highlighting the confusion between state-backed such as The Army National Guard, Air National Guard and State Defense Forces to independent paramilitary groups since the 1990s.

The article is developed by the prestigious author Professor Barry M. Stentiford. Professor Stentiford is a distinguished academic and military professional, currently serving as the Director of the Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program at the US Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies School of Advanced Military Studies. With a Ph.D. in History from The University of Alabama and a rich background in strategic studies, including degrees from the U.S. Army War College and other prestigious institutions, Stentiford has dedicated his career to the study and teaching of military history and strategy. His professional experience spans over a decade at a civilian university before joining the faculty at the School of Advanced Military Studies in 2009, where he has significantly contributed to courses on operational art, strategic leadership, and the strategic context of operational art. As an Army Reserve Officer, Stentiford has held several key positions, including Command Historian and battalion commander. His research interests focus on non-regular US military forces, Southeast Asia, and Disestablishment, with notable publications such as “The War on Terror in the Southern Philippines” and “The American Home Guard: The State Militia in the 20th Century,” reflecting his expertise in these areas.

In “The Problem of Militia,” Professor Barry M. Stentiford explores the evolving perception and role of militias within the United States, focusing on the distinction between state-sanctioned State Defense Forces (SDFs) and self-formed paramilitary groups. Originally, militias were organized under government authority, with the U.S. Constitution and federal law defining them as such, under the control of state commissions and the governor as commander-in-chief. However, since the 1990s, the term “militia” has increasingly been associated with non-governmental, often anti-government paramilitary groups, complicating the public’s perception and acceptance of legitimate SDFs. This shift has led to challenges in defining what constitutes a militia and in differentiating between state-sanctioned forces and unauthorized groups. Stentiford traces the historical development of militias from the colonial era to the present, noting the impact of these perceptions on modern SDFs, which now often emphasize their role as uniformed services rather than traditional armed militias to avoid the negative connotations associated with the term.

These original articles are only available to our Patreon members – Corporal $5 Tier and above. We provide this to them as a thank you for keeping StateDefenseForce.com online and running. Through their funding we can pay authors to develop these historical pieces as well as fund our new lobbying program that furthers the State Defense Force cause nationwide.

Click Here To Join Our Patreon Program or Upgrade Your Membership

Please help join our Patreon program, or upgrade your membership if you are on the Private $1 tier so we can provide you more State Defense Force content.

Click Here To Read Article

Tags: No tags

5,495 Responses