In many ways yes they are, except for one critical difference. All three organizations, State Defense Force / State Guard, Coast Guard Auxilary, Civil Air Patrol, support & assist US Military Forces, however the State Defense Forces / State Guards are labeled under State Law as a State Military Force and subject to the same rules & regulations that the Army National Guard & Air National Guard are held to. So when a State Defense Force / State Guard soldier is activated, assigned a mission they are required to perform that mission and obey the orders given to them by the Officers appointed over them. If a State Defense Force / State Guard soldier abandons their post or refuses to follow an order they may have criminal charges applied to them and/or face a prison sentence. The Coast Guard Auxilary & Civil Air Patrol are civil organizations and so their members are not subject to the same military law & regulations. Other differences between the organizations are: State Defense Forces / State Guards require Non-Prior Service recruits to undergo an Initial Entry Training Program (Basic Training) to get acquainted with military customs, drill & ceremony, military verbiage, physical fitness, and other specialties. Coast Guard Auxiliary & Civil Air Patrol members do not go through such a program. During Times of War, such as World War I & World War II, State Defense Forces / State Guards were tasked by the Governor of the State & Adjutant General (Senior National Guard Commander) to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Army National Guard & Air National Guard while these forces were deployed overseas for combat duties. The Coast Guard Auxilary & Civil Air Patrol cannot be not assigned such duties.