Michigan Naval Militia

Michigan Naval Militia sailors standing at attention.

The Michigan Naval Militia is the currently unorganized naval militia of the state of Michigan. It is recognized as a component of the militia of Michigan.^[1] The Michigan Naval Militia, along with the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force, exists as one of the military components of Michigan's organized militia.

History

The Michigan Naval Militia was founded in 1893.^[2] During the Spanish–American War, members of the Michigan Naval Militia, organized into the Michigan Naval Brigade, constituted the majority of the crew of the USS Yosemite. During the war, the Yosemite intercepted the Spanish steamer SS Antonio Lopez, beginning the Third Battle of San Juan.^[3]

The naval militia remained active through World War I, and included a University of Michigan division.^[4] During the war, members of the Michigan Naval Militia served in Naval Railway Battery crews on the Western Front.^[5]

Personnel

Naval militias are partially regulated and equipped by the federal government, and membership requirements are set in accordance with federal standards. Under 10 U.S. Code § 7854, in order to be eligible for access to "vessels, material, armament, equipment, and other facilities of the Navy and the Marine Corps available to the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve", at least 95% of members of the naval militia must also be members of the United States Navy Reserve or the United States Marine Corps Reserve.^[6]

Legal status

Naval militias of U.S. states are recognized as a component of the organized militia of the United States under 10 U.S. Code §7851.^[7] Michigan law recognizes the Michigan Naval Militia as a component of the militia of Michigan.^[1] Therefore, the Michigan Legislature has the legal authority to reactivate the naval militia.

References

State Defense Forces and Naval Militia
State Defense Forces	Alabama State Defense Force Alaska State Defense Force California State Military Reserve Connecticut Governor's Guard Georgia State Defense Force Indiana Guard Reserve Louisiana State Guard Maryland Defense Force Massachusetts State Defense Force Michigan Volunteer Defense Force Mississippi State Guard Missouri Reserve Force New Mexico State Guard New York Guard Ohio Military Reserve Oregon State Defense Force Puerto Rico State Guard South Carolina State Guard Tennessee State Guard Texas State Guard Vermont State Guard Virginia Defense Force Washington State Guard
Naval Militia	Alaska Naval Militia Connecticut Naval Militia New York Naval Militia Ohio Naval Militia South Carolina Naval Militia Texas State Guard Maritime Regiment
Historical/Defunct	Alaska Territorial Guard Arkansas State Guard Delaware State Guard Florida Naval Militia Florida State Guard Georgia Naval Militia Hawaii Naval Militia Hawaii Territorial Guard Idaho State Guard Illinois Naval Militia Illinois Reserve Militia Indiana Naval Militia Iowa State Guard Kansas State Guard Kentucky Active Militia Louisiana Naval Militia Maine State Guard Maryland Naval Militia Massachusetts Naval Militia Michigan Naval Militia Minnesota Naval Militia Minnesota State Guard Missouri Naval Militia Nebraska State Guard New Hampshire State Guard New Jersey Naval Militia New Jersey State Guard North Carolina Naval Militia North Carolina State Defense Militia Oregon Naval Militia Pennsylvania State Guard Rhode Island Naval Militia Rhode Island State Guard South Dakota State Guard Utah State Defense Force Virginia Defense Force Riverine Detachment Washington Naval Militia Wisconsin Naval Militia Wisconsin State Defense Force