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{{Short description|Force of non-professional soldiers}}
{{other uses}}
{{redirect|Citizen soldier||Citizen Soldier (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Hempstead Rifles.jpg|thumb|[[Muster (military)|Muster]]ing in the "Hempstead Rifles," Arkansas Volunteers, at [[Arkadelphia, Arkansas]], in 1861.]]
{{War}}

A '''militia''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ᵻ|ˈ|l|ɪ|ʃ|ə}} {{respell|mil|ISH|ə}})<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Army National Guard — Today's Military |url=https://www.todaysmilitary.com/ways-to-serve/service-branches/army-national-guard |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=www.todaysmilitary.com}}</ref> is a [[military]] or [[paramilitary]] [[Military organization|force]] that comprises [[civilian]] members, as opposed to a professional [[standing army]] of [[Regular army|regular]], full-time [[military personnel]]. Militias may be raised in times of need to support regular troops or serve as a pool of available manpower for regular forces to draw from.

When acting independently, militias are generally unable to hold ground against regular forces. Militias commonly support regular troops by [[Skirmisher|skirmishing]], holding fortifications, or conducting [[irregular warfare]], instead of undertaking offensive campaigns by themselves. However, militias may also engage in defense activities to protect a community, its territory, property, and laws.<ref>p.7, Sumner</ref> For example, [[naval militia]]s may comprise fishermen and other civilians which are organized and sanctioned by a state to enforce its [[Maritime boundary|maritime boundaries]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parameswaran |first1=Prashanth |title=What's Next for Vietnam's Maritime Militia? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/01/whats-next-for-vietnams-maritime-militia/ |access-date=30 January 2020 |website=thediplomat.com |publisher=The Diplomat}}</ref>

Beginning in the late 20th century, some militias (in particular officially recognized and sanctioned militias of a government) act as professional forces, while still being part-time or on-call organizations. For instance, members of the part-time [[Army National Guard|United States National Guard]] militia are considered professional soldiers, as they are trained to the same standards that their full-time, active duty counterparts are.<ref name=":02" /> Militias may nonetheless operate outside of a state's legal jurisdiction, taking the form of a [[Private army|private military force]], [[irregular military]], or [[Guerrilla warfare|guerilla forces]].<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Fields, William S. |author2=Hardy, David T. |date=Spring 1992 |title=The Militia and the Constitution: A Legal History |url=http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/FieldsAndHardy.html |url-status=dead |journal=Military Law Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410100242/http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/FieldsAndHardy.html |archive-date=2008-04-10 |quote="Charles II demobilized the army, keeping only troops that he felt would be loyal to the new regime...Charles's "select" militia was composed only of a small part of the population..."}}</ref>

In countries with [[conscription]], the term "militia" may refer to the entire able-bodied population available, legally obliged, or who actually respond to be called to arms. In [[Russia]] and some countries of the former [[Soviet Union]], an official reserve army composed of citizen [[soldier]]s is known as the ''[[militsiya]]''. 

==Etymology==
''Militia'' derives from [[Latin language|Latin]] roots:
* ''miles'' /miːles/ : soldier<ref name="Charlton T. Lewis 1997">Charlton T. Lewis, ''An Elementary Latin Dictionary'', p. 505, Oxford U. Pr., 1997.</ref>
* ''-itia'' /iːtia/ : a state, activity, quality or condition of being<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.class.uidaho.edu/luschnig/Latin%20Vocab/4.htm |title= 4 Noun Formation|website=www.class.uidaho.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306002835/http://www.class.uidaho.edu/luschnig/Latin%20Vocab/4.htm |archive-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/jvsickle/wrlith.htm |title=Roots of Style: Radicals of Latin (& Greek) in English (JVS) |publisher=Academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu |access-date=2014-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327055950/http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/jvsickle/wrlith.htm |archive-date=2013-03-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''militia'' /milːiːtia/: Military service<ref name="Charlton T. Lewis 1997"/>

The word ''militia'' dates back to ancient Rome, and more recently to at least 1590 when it was recorded in a book by Sir John Smythe, ''Certain Discourses Military'' with the meanings: a military force; a body of soldiers and military affairs; a body of military discipline<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'', March 2002. Oxford University Press.</ref>
The word Militia comes from ancient Latin, in which it meant defense service, as distinguished from a body of (armed) defenders which would be ''volgus militum''. The term is used by several countries with the meaning of "defense activity" indicating it is taken directly from Latin.

== History ==

=== France ===
The first notable militia in French history was the resistance of the [[Gaul]]s to invasion by the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] until they were defeated by Julius Caesar.<ref>Gilliver, Kate. ''Caesar's Gallic Wars 58–50 BC.'' London: Osprey Publishing, 2002. {{ISBN|0-415-96858-5}}</ref> Centuries later, [[Joan of Arc]] organized and led a militia until her capture and execution in 1431. This settled the succession to the French crown and laid the basis for the formation of the modern nation of France.<ref>''Joan of Arc: Her Story'', by Régine Pernoud (Author), Marie-Véronique Clin (Author), Jeremy duQuesnay Adams (Translator), Palgrave Macmillan (1999), {{ISBN|0-312-22730-2}}</ref>

During the [[French Revolution]] the [[National Guard (France)|National Guard]] was a political home defense militia. The [[levée en masse]] was a conscription army used during the Revolutionary and [[Napoleonic Wars]].

At the time of the [[Franco-Prussian War]], the Parisian National Guard engaged the Prussian Army and later rebelled against the Versailles Army under Marshal McMahon.

Under German occupation during World War II, a militia usually called the [[French Resistance]] emerged to conduct a guerrilla war of attrition against German forces and prepare the way for the [[D-Day]] Allied Invasion of France.<ref>[[David Schoenbrun]], ''Soldiers of the Night: The Story of the French Resistance'', New American Library, 1980. {{ISBN|0-452-00612-0}}</ref> The Resistance militia were opposed by the collaborationist [[French Militia]]—the paramilitary police force of the [[Vichy France|German puppet state of Vichy]].

Although defunct from 1871 until 2016, the French National Guard has now been reestablished for homeland security purposes.<ref name="militarytimes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2016/10/12/france-creates-national-guard-to-battle-terrorism/|title=France creates National Guard to battle terrorism|first=Sylvie|last=Corbet|date=October 12, 2016|website=Military Times}}</ref>

=== Germany ===
The earliest reports of Germanic militias was the system of [[Hundred (division)|hundreds]] described in AD 98 by the Roman historian [[Tacitus]] as the ''centeni.'' They were similar in nature to the [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] ''[[fyrd]]''.

[[File:Luetzows verwegene jagd aquarellreproduktion 1900.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Lützow Free Corps]] during the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. During the Napoleonic Wars, the [[Freikorps]] referred to volunteer forces that fought against the French.]]

[[Freikorps]] ([[German language|German]] for "Free Corps") was originally applied to voluntary armies. The first ''Freikorps'' were recruited by [[Frederick II of Prussia]] during the [[Seven Years' War]]. These troops were regarded as unreliable by regular armies, so they were mainly used as sentries and for minor duties. During the Napoleonic occupation, organizations such as the [[Lutzow Free Corps]] fought against the occupiers and later joined the allied forces as regular soldiers.

However, after 1918, the term was used for [[nationalist]] [[paramilitary]] organizations that sprang up around [[Germany]] as soldiers returned in defeat from [[World War I]]. They were one of the many [[Weimar paramilitary groups]] active during that time. They received considerable support from [[Gustav Noske]], the German Defence Minister who used them to crush the [[Spartakist League]] with enormous violence, including the murders of [[Karl Liebknecht]] and [[Rosa Luxemburg]] on January{{nbsp}}15, 1919. Militia were also used to put down the [[Bavarian Soviet Republic]] in 1919. They were officially "disbanded" in 1920, resulting in the ill-fated [[Kapp Putsch]] in March 1920. The ''Einwohnerwehr'', active in Germany from 1919 to 1921 was a paramilitary citizens' militia consisting of hundreds of thousands of mostly former servicemen.<ref>Campbell, Bruce: ''The SA Generals and the Rise of Nazism'', Page 99. University Press of Kentucky, 1998. {{ISBN|0-8131-9098-3}}</ref> Formed by the Prussian Ministry of the Interior on April{{nbsp}}15, 1919, to allow citizens to protect themselves from looters, armed gangs, and revolutionaries, the ''Einwohnerwehr'' was under the command of the local ''Reichswehr'' regiments, which supplied its guns. In 1921, the Berlin government dissolved the ''Einwohnerwehr''. Many of its members went on to join the [[Nazi Party]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/police_unit_marks.html |title= German Police Unit Marks, 1920-1937|website=www.radix.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605123951/http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/police_unit_marks.html |archive-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1971-033-15, Vorbeimarsch des Volkssturms an Goebbels, Berlin.jpg|thumb|The [[Volkssturm]] was a national militia formed by [[Nazi Germany]] in the last months of [[World War II]].]]

In 1921 the Nazi Party created the ''[[Sturmabteilung]]'' (SA; Storm Detachment; Brownshirts), which was the first paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party and served as a Nazi militia whose initial assignment was to protect Nazi leaders at rallies and assemblies. The SA also took part in street battles against the forces of rival political parties and violent actions against Jews. From the SA sprung the [[Schutzstaffel]] (SS; Protective Squadron) which grew to become one of the largest and most powerful groups in [[Nazi Germany]], which Reichsführer-SS [[Heinrich Himmler]] (the leader of the SS from 1929) envisioned as an elite group of guards. The [[Waffen-SS]], the military branch of the SS, became a de facto fourth branch of the [[Wehrmacht]].<ref name="Benz">{{cite book|author=Wolfgang Benz|title=A Concise History of the Third Reich |date=2007|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0520253834}}</ref>

In 1944–1945, as [[World War II]] came to a close in Europe, the [[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht|German high command]]  deployed increasing numbers of [[Volkssturm]] units to combat duties. These regiments were composed of men, women and children too old, young or otherwise unfit for service in the Wehrmacht (German Regular Army).<ref>Yelton, David K., ''Hitler's Volkssturm: The Nazi Militia and the Fall of Germany, 1944–1945''. University Press of Kansas, 2002. {{ISBN|0700611924}}</ref> Their primary role was assisting the army with fortification duties and digging [[Anti-tank trench|anti-tank ditches]]. As the shortage of manpower became severe, they were used as front line infantry, most often in [[Urban area|urban]] settings. Due to the physical state of members, almost non-existent training and shortage of weapons, there was not much the ''Volkssturm'' could do except act like shields for regular army units.

=== Great Britain and Ireland ===
{{Main|Militia (English) |Militia (United Kingdom)}}

==== Origins ====
The obligation to serve in the militia (also known as the ''Constitutional Force'') in England derives from a [[common law]] tradition, and dates back to [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] times. The tradition was that all able-bodied males were liable to be called out to serve in one of two organisations. These were the [[Posse comitatus (common law)|posse comitatus]], an ''ad hoc'' assembly called together by a law officer to apprehend lawbreakers, and the [[fyrd]],<ref>Oxford English Dictionary. Second Edition 1989</ref> a military body intended to preserve internal order or defend the locality against an invader. The latter developed into the militia, and was usually embodied by a [[Warrant (law)|royal warrant]].<ref>The History of English Law Before the Time of Edward I, Pollock and Maitland, Cambridge U. Pr. (1898)</ref> Service in each organisation involved different levels of preparedness.<ref>[[Century Dictionary]] (1891) articles on ''posse comitatus'' and ''militia''.</ref>

==== 16th and 17th centuries ====
With the decay of the feudal system and the military revolution of the 16th century, the militia began to become an important institution in English life. It was organised on the basis of the [[Historic counties of England|shire county]], and was one of the responsibilities of the [[Lord Lieutenant]], a royal official (usually a trusted nobleman). Each of the [[hundred (division)|county hundreds]] was likewise the responsibility of a [[Deputy Lieutenant]], who relayed orders to the [[justices of the peace]] or [[magistrates]]. Every parish furnished a quota of eligible men, whose names were recorded on [[Muster (military)|muster rolls]]. Likewise, each household was assessed for the purpose of finding weapons, armour, horses, or their financial equivalent, according to their status. The militia was supposed to be [[Muster (military)|mustered]] for training purposes from time to time, but this was rarely done. The militia regiments were consequently ill-prepared for an emergency, and could not be relied upon to serve outside their own counties. This state of affairs concerned many people. Consequently, an elite force was created, composed of members of the militia who were prepared to meet regularly for military training and exercise. These were formed into trained band regiments, particularly in the [[City of London]], where the [[Artillery Ground]] was used for training. The [[trained bands]] performed an important role in the [[English Civil War]] on the side of parliament, in marching to raise the siege of [[Gloucester]] (5 September 1643). Except for the [[London trained bands]], both sides in the Civil War made little use of the militia, preferring to recruit their armies by other means.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}}<!-- Then one has to explain away their use at the Battle of Worcester: "The Parliamentary militia were sent home within a week. Cromwell, who had ridiculed 'such stuff' six months ago, knew them better now. 'Your new raised forces,' he wrote to the House, 'did perform singular good service, for which they deserve a very high estimation and acknowledgment.'" (Encyclopaedia Britannica Eleventh Edition article GREAT REBELLION 59. The Crowning Mercy) -->

==== Militia in the English Empire and the British Empire ====
{{main|Militia (British Dominions and Crown Colonies)}}
[[File:Troop D of Colorado state militia in Meeker, 1904.png|thumb|Troop D of Colorado state militia in [[Meeker, Colorado|Meeker]], 1904]]
[[File:John Smith 1624 map of Bermuda with Forts 01.jpg|thumb|Captain [[John Smith of Jamestown|John Smith's]] 1624 map of the Somers Isles ([[Bermuda]]), showing [[St. George's, Bermuda|St. George's Town]] and related fortifications, including the [[Castle Islands Fortifications, Bermuda|Castle Islands Fortifications]] with their garrisons of militia infantry and volunteer artillery.]]
As successful English settlement of North America began to take place in 1607 in the face of the hostile intentions of the powerful Spanish, and of the native populations, it became immediately necessary to raise militia amongst the settlers. The militia in [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown]] saw constant action against the [[Powhatan|Powhatan Federation]] and other native polities. In the [[London Company|Virginia Company]]'s other outpost, [[Bermuda]], fortification began immediately in 1612. A Spanish attack in 1614 was repulsed by two shots fired from the incomplete [[Castle Islands Fortifications, Bermuda|Castle Islands Fortifications]] manned by [[Bermuda Militias 1612–1815|Bermudian Militiamen]]. In the Nineteenth century, ''Fortress Bermuda'' would become Britain's ''Gibraltar of the West'', heavily fortified by a Regular Army garrison to protect the [[Royal Navy]]'s headquarters and dockyard in the Western Atlantic.

In the 17th Century, however, Bermuda's defence was left entirely in the hands of the Militia. In addition to requiring all male civilians to train and serve in the militia of their Parish, the Bermudian Militia included a standing body of trained artillerymen to garrison the numerous fortifications which ringed ''New London'' ([[St. George's, Bermuda|St. George's]]). This standing body was created by recruiting volunteers, and by sentencing criminals to serve as punishment. The Bermudian militiamen were called out on numerous occasions of war, and, on one notable occasion, to quell rioting privateers. The 1707 [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]] made Bermudian and other English militiamen ''British''. The Militia in Bermuda came to include a Troop of Horse (mounted infantry) and served alongside volunteers and (from 1701) a small body of regulars. The Militia faded away after the American War of 1812 when the [[Parliament of Bermuda]] declined to renew the Militia Act. This resulted from the build-up of the regular army [[Bermuda Garrison]] along with Bermuda's development as the headquarters and [[Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda|dockyard]] of the [[North America and West Indies Station]] of the [[Royal Navy]], which made the militia seem excess to need. Vast sums of the Imperial defence expenditure were lavished on fortifying Bermuda during the Nineteenth Century and the British Government cajoled, implored, begged, and threatened the colonial legislature for 80 years before it raised a militia and volunteer units (in 1894 and 1894 respectively). Although the militia had historically been an infantry force, many units in Britain had been re-tasked as militia artillery from the 1850s onward due to the increased importance of the coastal artillery defences and the new militia unit in Bermuda followed suit. Titled the ''Bermuda Militia Artillery'', it was badged and uniformed as part of the Royal Artillery, and tasked with the garrison artillery role, manning coastal batteries. As in Britain, recruitment was of volunteers who engaged for terms of service, whereas the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps was organised on the same lines as volunteer rifle corps in Britain. Recruitment to the BVRC was restricted to whites, but the BMA recruited primarily coloured (those who were not entirely of European heritage) other ranks, though its officers were all white until 1953. Neither unit was reorganised in 1908 when the Militia, Volunteer Force and Yeomanry in Britain merged into the Territorial Force, but the BVRC was re-organised as a territorial in 1921 and the BMA in 1926. The BVRC name was not modified to Bermuda Rifles until 1951, however, and the Bermuda Militia Artillery (and from 1939 the Bermuda Militia Infantry) continued to be titled as militia until amalgamated with the Bermuda Rifles in 1965 to form the [[Bermuda Regiment]].

In British India, a special class of militia was established in 1907. This took the form of the [[Frontier Corps]], which consisted of locally recruited full-time auxiliaries under British officers. Their role combined the functions of tribal police and border guards deployed along the [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North-West Frontier]]. Regional units included the [[Zhob Militia]], the Kurram Militia, and the Chagai Militia. After 1946 the Frontier Corps became part of the modern Pakistan Army.

==== Political issues ====
[[File:Drawing for the Militia.png|thumb|''[[Drawing for the Militia]]'' by [[John Phillip]]]]
Until the [[Glorious Revolution]] in 1688 [[the Crown]] and Parliament were in strong disagreement. The [[English Civil War]] left a rather unusual military legacy. Both [[British Whig Party|Whigs]] and [[Tories (British political party)|Tories]] distrusted the creation of a large [[standing army]] not under civilian control. The former feared that it would be used as an instrument of royal tyranny. The latter had memories of the [[New Model Army]] and the anti-monarchical social and political revolution that it brought about. Both preferred a small standing army under civilian control for defensive deterrence and to prosecute foreign wars, a large navy as the first line of national defence, and a militia composed of their neighbours as additional defence and to preserve domestic order.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

Consequently, the [[English Bill of Rights]] (1689) declared, amongst other things: "that the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of Parliament, is against law..." and "that the subjects which are [[Protestant]]s may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law." This implies that they are fitted to serve in the militia, which was intended to serve as a counterweight to the standing army and preserve civil liberties against the use of the army by a tyrannical monarch or government. The [[Standing Army Controversy]] from 1697 to 1699 reflected the suspicion of both Tories and [[Radical Whigs]] of standing armies, a suspicion that would continue in opposition circles.

The Crown still (in the British constitution) controls the use of the army. This ensures that officers and enlisted men swear an oath to a politically neutral head of state, and not to a politician. While the funding of the standing army subsists on annual financial votes by parliament, the [[Mutiny Act]], superseded by the Army Act, and now the [[Armed Forces Act]] is also renewed on an annual basis by Parliament.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} If it lapses, the legal basis for enforcing discipline disappears, and soldiers lose their legal indemnity for acts committed under orders.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}}

With the creation of the [[British Empire]], militias were also raised in the colonies, where little support could be provided by regular forces. Overseas militias were first raised in [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown]], [[Virginia]], and in [[Bermuda]], where the [[Bermuda Militias 1612–1815|Bermuda Militia]] followed over the next two centuries a similar trajectory to that in Britain.

==== 18th century and the Acts of Union ====
In 1707 the [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]] united the [[Kingdom of England]] with the [[Kingdom of Scotland]]. The [[Royal Scots Navy|Scottish navy]] was incorporated into the Royal Navy. The Scottish military (as opposed to naval) forces merged with the English, with pre-existing regular Scottish regiments maintaining their identities, though command of the new British Army was from England. How this affected militias either side of the border is unclear.

===== British Militia =====
{{Main|Militia (Great Britain)|Militia (United Kingdom)}}
[[File:Thomas Rowlandson - A Review of the Northapmton Militia at Brackley - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|A review of the [[Northampton Militia]]. Formed in 1763, its men were selected by ballot to serve for a period of time.]]

The [[Militia Act 1757]] created a more professional force. Better records were kept, and the men were selected by ballot to serve for longer periods; specific provision was made for members of the [[Religious Society of Friends]], [[Quakers]], to be exempted, as [[conscientious objector]]s, from compulsory enlistment in the militia. Proper uniforms and better weapons were provided, and the force was 'embodied' from time to time for training sessions.

The militia was widely embodied at various times during the French and [[Napoleonic Wars]]. It served at several vulnerable locations, and was particularly stationed on the South Coast and in [[Ireland]]. A number of camps were held at [[Brighton]], where the militia regiments were reviewed by [[the Prince Regent]]. (This is the origin of the song "Brighton Camp".) The militia could not be compelled to serve overseas, but it was seen as a training reserve for the army, as [[bounty (reward)|bounties]] were offered to men who opted to 'exchange' from the militia to the [[regular army]].{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

===== Irish militia =====
The [[Parliament of Ireland]] passed an [[act of parliament|act]] in 1715 raising regiments of militia in each county and [[county corporate]]. Membership was restricted to [[Protestantism in Ireland|Protestants]] between the ages of 16 and 60. In 1793, during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the Irish militia were reorganised to form thirty-seven county and city regiments. While officers of the reorganised force were Protestant, membership of the other ranks was now made available to members of all denominations.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

===== Scottish militia =====
In the late 17th century, numerous individuals in the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] (then in a personal union with the [[Kingdom of England]]) called for the resurrection of a Scottish militia, with the understated aim of protecting the rights of Scots in Great Britain.<ref>[http://www.constitution.org/fletchr/fletchr.htm A Discourse of Government with Relation to Militias], Andrew Fletcher (1698) {{ISBN|0-521-43994-9}}</ref> After Scotland became part of the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]], the [[Militia Act 1757]] did not apply there. The traditional Scottish militia system continued, with only certain settlements in Scotland playing host to a militia regiment. This was viewed with resentment among some in Scotland, and the [[The Poker Club#History|Militia Club]] was formed to promote the raising of a Scottish militia. The Militia Club, along with several other Scottish [[gentlemen's club]]s became the crucible of the [[Scottish Enlightenment]]. The Militia Act 1797 empowered Scottish Lord Lieutenants to raise and command militia regiments in each of the "Counties, Stewartries, Cities, and Places" under their jurisdiction.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

==== 19th century ====
Although muster rolls were prepared as late as 1820, the element of compulsion was abandoned, and the militia transformed into a volunteer force, revived by the [[Militia Act 1852]]. It was intended to be seen as an alternative to the regular army. Men would volunteer and undertake basic training for several months at an army depot. Thereafter, they would return to civilian life, but report for regular periods of military training (usually on the weapons ranges) and an annual two-week training camp. In return, they would receive military pay and a financial retainer, a useful addition to their civilian wage. Of course, many saw the annual camp as the equivalent of a paid holiday. The militia thus appealed to agricultural labourers, colliers and the like, men in [[Contingent work|casual occupations]], who could leave their civilian job and pick it up again. Until 1852 the militia were an entirely [[infantry]] force, but from that year a number of county infantry regiments were converted to [[artillery]] and new ones raised. In 1877 the militia of [[Anglesey]] and [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]] were converted to engineers. Under the [[Childers reforms|reforms]], introduced by [[Secretary of State for War]] [[Hugh Childers]] in 1881, the remaining militia infantry regiments were re-designated as numbered battalions of regiments of the line, ranking after the two regular battalions. Typically, an English, Welsh or Scottish regiment would have two militia battalions (the 3rd and 4th) and Irish regiments three (numbered 3rd–5th).

The militia must not be confused with the volunteer units created in a wave of enthusiasm in the second half of the nineteenth century. In contrast with the [[Volunteer Force]], and the similar [[Yeomanry Cavalry]], they were considered rather plebeian.

==== The Special Reserve ====
[[File:Volunteer with Me for the Territorial Army Art.IWMPST14588.jpg|thumb|Recruitment poster for the British [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] during World War II. The reserve force was formed after the militias were reorganized in 1907.]]
{{main|Special Reserve}}
The militia was transformed into the Special Reserve by the [[Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907|military reforms]] of [[Haldane Reforms|Haldane]] in the reforming post 1906 Liberal government. In 1908 the militia infantry battalions were redesignated as "reserve" and a number were amalgamated or disbanded. Numbered [[Territorial Force]] battalions, ranking after the Special Reserve, were formed from the volunteer units at the same time. Altogether, 101 infantry battalions, 33 artillery regiments and two engineer regiments of special reservists were formed.<ref>Units of the Militia to be transferred to the Special Reserve, published as a schedule to an [[Order in Council]] made 9 April 1908, ''The London Gazette'', 10 April 1908</ref> Upon mobilisation, the special reserve units would be formed at the depot and continue training while guarding vulnerable points in Britain. The special reserve units remained in Britain throughout the [[First World War]], but their rank and file did not, since the object of the special reserve was to supply drafts of replacements for the overseas units of the regiment. The original militiamen soon disappeared, and the battalions simply became training units. The Special Reserve reverted to its militia designation in 1921, then to Supplementary Reserve in 1924, though the units were effectively placed in "suspended animation" until disbanded in 1953.

==== The militiamen ====
The name was briefly revived in the [[Military Training Act 1939]], in the aftermath of the [[Munich Crisis]]. [[Leslie Hore-Belisha]], Secretary of State for War, wished to introduce a limited form of [[Conscription in the United Kingdom|conscription]], not known in peacetime Britain since the militia of the early 19th century and previously. It was thought that calling the conscripts 'militiamen' would make this more acceptable, as it would render them distinct from the rest of the army. Only single men aged 20 up to the day before their 22nd birthday were to be conscripted, for six months full-time training before discharge into the reserve (with a free suit of civilian clothing). Although the first intake was called up in late July 1939, the declaration of war on 3 September entailed implementation of full-time conscription for all men aged 18–41, superseding the militia, never to be revived.

==== Modern survivals ====
[[File:Royal Visit 2012 0010.jpg|thumb|A non-commissioned officer of the [[Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey]]. The unit is one of two regiments in the Territorial Army that maintain their militia designation.]]
Three units still maintain their militia designation in the [[British Army]]. These are the [[Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers]] (formed in 1539), the [[Royal Jersey Militia|Jersey Field Squadron (The Royal Militia Island of Jersey)]] (formed in 1337), and the [[Royal Alderney Militia]] (created in the 13th century and reformed in 1984). Additionally, the [[Atholl Highlanders]] are a ceremonial infantry militia maintained by the [[Duke of Atholl]]—they are the only legal [[private army]] in Europe.

==== Other British militias ====
Various other part-time, home defence organisations have been raised during times of crisis or perceived threat, although without the word "militia" in their title. These have included:
*[[British Volunteer Corps|Volunteer Corps]], part of the [[British anti-invasion preparations of 1803–1805]]
*[[Yeomanry]], volunteer cavalry initially raised in the Napoleonic Wars
*[[Volunteer Force (Great Britain)|Volunteer Force]], from 1857 to 1908
*[[Volunteer Training Corps (World War I)|Volunteer Training Corps]], 1914 to 1918
*[[National Defence Companies]], 1936 to 1939
*[[Home Guard (United Kingdom)|Home Guard]], initially Local Defence Volunteers, 1940 to 1944 and 1951 to 1957
*[[Ulster Defence Regiment]], 1970 to 1992
*[[Home Service Force]], 1982 to 1992

==== The Troubles and Irish War of Independence ====
{{See also|The Troubles|Irish War of Independence}}

The various non-state paramilitary groups involved in the 20th-century conflicts in [[Northern Ireland]] and the island of [[Ireland]], such as the various [[Irish Republican Army]] groups and [[Ulster loyalism|loyalist]] paramilitaries, could also be described as militias and are occasionally referred to as such.

The [[Ulster Defence Regiment]] (UDR) was a locally raised professional militia instituted by an [[Act of Parliament]] in December 1969, becoming operational on 1 April 1970. Created as a [[Nonpartisanism|non-partisan]] force to defend Northern Ireland "against armed attack or sabotage", it eventually peaked at 11 battalions with 7,559 men and women. 197 soldiers of the UDR were killed as active servicemen, with a further 61 killed after leaving the regiment, mostly by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]. As a result of defence cuts it was eventually reduced to 7 battalions before being amalgamated with the [[Royal Irish Rangers]] in 1992 to form the "Home Service Battalions" of the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]].

=== United States ===
{{Main|Militia (United States)}}
The history of militia in the [[United States]] dates from the colonial era, such as in the American Revolutionary War.<ref>{{cite web| last=Linder| first=Doug| title=United States vs. Miller (U.S. 1939)| work=Exploring Constitutional Law| publisher=University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School| year=2008| url=http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/millervus.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011123170327/http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/millervus.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=2001-11-23| access-date=2008-07-26}}</ref> Based on the English system, colonial militias were drawn from the body of adult male citizens of a community, town, or local region. Because there was no standing English Army before the [[English Civil War]], and subsequently the English Army and later the British Army had few regulars garrisoning North America, colonial militia served a vital role in local conflicts, particularly in the [[French and Indian Wars]]. Before shooting began in the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]], American revolutionaries took control of the militia system, reinvigorating training and excluding men with [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] inclinations.<ref>John Shy, "Mobilizing Armed Force in the American Revolution", in John Parker and Carol Urness, eds., ''The American Revolution: A Heritage of Change'' (Minneapolis, 1975), pp. 104–5.</ref> Regulation of the militia was codified by the [[Second Continental Congress]] with the [[Articles of Confederation]]. The revolutionaries also created a full-time regular army—the [[Continental Army]]—but, because of manpower shortages, the militia provided short-term support to the regulars in the field throughout the war.

In colonial era Anglo-American usage, militia service was distinguished from military service in that the latter was normally a commitment for a fixed period of time of at least a year, for a [[salary]], whereas militia was only to meet a threat, or prepare to meet a threat, for periods of time expected to be short. Militia persons were normally expected to provide their own weapons, equipment, or supplies, although they may later be compensated for losses or expenditures.<ref>Stephen P. Halbrook, "The Right of the People or the Power of the State Bearing Arms, Arming Militias, and the Second Amendment," ''Valparaiso Law Review'', vol. 26, number 1, page 131 (1991).</ref> A related concept is the [[jury]], which can be regarded as a specialized form of militia convened to render a verdict in a court proceeding (known as a petit jury or [[jury|trial jury]]) or to investigate a public matter and render a presentment or indictment ([[grand jury]]).<ref>William E. Nelson, "The Eighteenth-Century Background of John Marshall's Constitutional Jurisprudence," 76 ''Mich. L. Rev''. 893 (1978), ch. 23, 23. The Jury and Consensus Government in Mid-Eighteenth-Century America</ref>

With the [[Philadelphia Convention|Constitutional Convention]] of 1787 and Article 1 Section 8 of the [[United States Constitution]], control of the army and the power to direct the militia of the states was concurrently delegated to the federal [[United States Congress|Congress]].<ref name="Wills 1999">[[Garry Wills|Wills, Garry]] (1999). ''A Necessary Evil, A History of American Distrust of Government''. New York, NY; Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|0-684-84489-3}}</ref> The [[Militia Clause]]s gave Congress authority for "organizing, arming, and disciplining" the militia, and "governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States", and the States retained authority to appoint officers and to impose the training specified by Congress. Proponents describe a key element in the concept of "militia" was that to be "genuine" it not be a "select militia", composed of an unrepresentative subset of the population. This was an argument presented in the [[Ratification of the United States Constitution|ratification debates]].<ref>''Right to Keep and Bear Arms'', U. S. Senate. [[Paladin Press]] (2001). {{ISBN|1-58160-254-5}}</ref>

The first legislation on the subject was the [[Militia Act of 1792]] which provided, in part:
<blockquote>That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia,... every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock.</blockquote>

Prior to the War of Independence, the officers of militia units were commissioned by the royal governors. During the war, they were commissioned either by the legislature or the chief executive of the state. After the war, commissions were typically granted by the state's chief executive. Militias did not operate independently of the state governments but were under the command of the civil government just like the regular military forces.<ref>Constitution of the State of New Hampshire 1776, & 1784</ref> Twenty-four of the current US states maintain state defense forces in the form of a constitutional militia in addition to the National Guard which is shared with the US government. These states include Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Vermont, and Virginia. In addition, the Territory of Puerto Rico has a defense force.

==== 19th century ====
[[File:NewYorkStateMilitiaCivilWar.jpg|thumb|Uniformed American militiamen during the American Civil War.]]
During the nineteenth century, each of the states maintained its militia differently, some more than others. American militia saw action in the various [[Indian Wars]], the [[War of 1812]], the [[American Civil War]], and the [[Spanish–American War]]. Sometimes militia units were found to be unprepared, ill-supplied, and unwilling.<ref name="Wills 1999"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/spanishamerican03algegoog |page=[https://archive.org/details/spanishamerican03algegoog/page/n40 18] |quote=spanish american war militia. |title=The Spanish–American War |author=Russell Alexander Alger |publisher=Harper & Bros. |date=1901 |access-date=2014-02-22}}</ref><ref>[[William H. Sumner|Sumner, William H.]]: ''An Inquiry Into the Importance of the Militia to a Free Commonwealth'', Page 23. Cummings and Hillard, 1823. ASIN B00085OK9E. Reprinted in Richard H. Kohn, ''Anglo-American Antimilitary Tracts, 1697–1830'', Arno Press (1979) {{ISBN|0-405-11886-4}}.</ref> Prior to the Civil War, militia units were sometimes used by southern states for slave control. Formed in 1860, Republican Party-affiliated [[Wide Awakes]] clubs were quick to take action to defend persons against southern slave-hunters.<ref>Manski, Ben (2006). [https://www.academia.edu/26391441/State_Power_Against_the_Slave_Power ''States Rights for Civil Rights''], Liberty Tree Journal, Vol 1, Issue 4.</ref> In [[California]], the militia carried out campaigns against bandits and against the Indians at the direction of its Governor between 1850 and 1866. During [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]] after the Civil War, Republican state governments had militias composed almost entirely of freed slaves and populist whites. Their deployment to maintain order in the former Confederate states caused increased resentment among many Southern whites.<ref>Catton, Bruce (2004). ''The Civil War,'' pages 28–29. Mariner Books. {{ISBN|0-618-00187-5}}</ref>

After the [[American Civil War]], secret groups like the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and [[Knights of the White Camellia]] arose quickly across the [[Southern United States|South]], reaching a peak in the late 1860s. Even more significant in terms of effect were private militias: [[Paramilitary|paramilitary organizations]] that formed starting in 1874, including the [[White League]] in [[Louisiana]], which quickly formed chapters in other states; the [[Red Shirts (Southern United States)|Red Shirts]] in [[Mississippi]] in 1875, and with {{clarify |date=April 2016 |text=force in}} [[South Carolina]] and [[North Carolina]]; and other "white line" militias and rifle clubs.

In contrast to the KKK, these paramilitary organizations were open; members were often well known in their communities. Nevertheless, they used force, intimidation, and violence, including murder, to push out Republican officeholders, break up [[Community organizing|organizing]], and suppress [[Freedman|freedmen]]'s voting and civil rights.<ref>[[Nicholas Lemann]], ''Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War'', New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux paperback, 2007, pp.25, 167, 170</ref> The paramilitary groups were described as "the military arm of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]" and were instrumental in helping secure Democratic victories in the South in the elections of 1876.<ref>George C. Rable, ''But There Was No Peace: The Role of Violence in the Politics of Reconstruction'', Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1984, p. 132</ref>

==== 20th century ====
{{further| Militia organizations in the United States}}
[[File:Missouri National Guard training.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[United States National Guard]] undergoing self-defense training. The force was created in 1903 as an organized militia.]]
The [[Militia Act of 1903]] divided what had been the militia into what it termed the "organized" militia, created from portions of the former state guards to become state [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] units, and the "unorganized" militia consisting of all males from ages 17 to 45, with the exception of certain officials and others, which is codified in {{UnitedStatesCode|10|311}}. Some states, such as Texas, California, and Ohio, created separate [[state defense force]]s for assistance in local emergencies. Congress later established<ref>National Defense Act Amendments of 1933, Act of June 15, 1933, ch. 87, 48 Stat. 153.</ref> a system of "dual enlistment" for the National Guard, so that anyone who enlisted in the National Guard also enlisted in the [[U.S. Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/WhiskerCitizenSoldier.htm |title= West Virginia Law Review|website=www.saf.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207180224/http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/WhiskerCitizenSoldier.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref> When the [[U.S. Air Force]] was established as an independent service in 1947, the National Guard was further divided into the [[Army National Guard]] and the [[Air National Guard]]. Under this construct, the 1933 defense act's "dual enlistment" facet was further amended so that enlisted soldiers and commissioned officers in the Army National Guard were also enlisted or commissioned in the Reserve Component of the [[U.S. Army]]. Enlisted airmen and commissioned officers in the Air National Guard were also enlisted or commissioned in the Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

The 20th century saw the rise of [[militia organizations in the United States]], these private militias often have an [[Anti-statism|anti-government]] outlook and are not under the civil authority of the states. Privately organized citizen militia-related groups blossomed in the mid-1990s. Many militia groups are based on religious or political extremism and some are regarded as [[hate group]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carless |first1=Will |last2=Corey |first2=Michael |title=The American militia movement, a breeding ground for hate, is pulling in cops on Facebook |url=https://www.revealnews.org/article/the-american-militia-movement-a-breeding-ground-for-hate-is-pulling-in-cops-on-facebook/ |website=www.revealnews.org |date=24 June 2019 |publisher=The Center for Investigative Reporting |access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>

==== 21st century ====
{{distinguish|American militia movement}}
In the 2008 decision of the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]], in [[District of Columbia v. Heller]], the ''[[de jure]]'' definition of "militia" as used in [[United States]] [[jurisprudence]] was discussed. The Court's opinion made explicit, in its ''[[Obiter dictum|obiter dicta]]'', that the term "militia", as used in colonial times in this [[Originalism|originalist]] decision, included both the federally organized militia and the citizen-organized militias of the several [[U.S. state|States]]: "... the 'militia' in colonial America consisted of a subset of 'the people'—those who were male, able-bodied, and within a certain age range" (7)... Although the militia consists of all able-bodied men, the federally-organized militia may consist of a subset of them"(23).<ref>{{cite web |last=Scalia |first=Antonin |author-link=Antonin Scalia |title=DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ET AL. v. HELLER |work=Judicial Decision |publisher=Supreme Court of the United States |date=2008-06-26 |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf |access-date=2008-06-27}}</ref>

===== Active militias =====
* [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]]
* [[State defense force]]s

==== Texas ====
[[File:Regional Basic Orientation Training Class, Texas State Guard.JPG|thumb|Basic orientation for the [[Texas State Guard]]. The Guard is a [[state defense force]], military units under the sole authority of the state government.]]
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2013}}
The most important previous activity of the Texas Militia was the [[Texas Revolution]] in 1836. Texans declared independence from [[Mexico]] while they were defeated during the [[Battle of the Alamo]], in March 1836. On April 21, 1836, led by [[Sam Houston]], the Militia attacked the [[Mexican Army]] at their camp, in the [[Battle of San Jacinto]] near the present city of [[Houston]]. Following the war, some militia units reorganized into what was later to be known as the [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]], which was a private, volunteer effort for several years before becoming an official organization. After Texas joined the Union of the United States in 1845, Texas militia units participated in the [[Mexican–American War]].

In 1861 Texas joined the other [[Confederate States]] in seceding from the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]], and Texas militias played a role in the [[American Civil War]] until it ended in 1865. Texas militiamen joined [[Theodore Roosevelt]]'s [[Rough Riders]], a volunteer militia, and fought with him during the [[Spanish–American War]] in 1898. Some of the training of the Rough Riders took place in San Pedro Park, in the north-central part of San Antonio near the present site of [[San Antonio College]]. When a muster of the Militia proposed to train there on April 19, 1994, they were threatened with arrest, even though the charter of San Pedro Park forbids exclusion of activities of that kind. This threat led to a change in the meeting site. Like many other American states, Texas maintains a recognized State Militia, the [[Texas State Guard]].

== Modern paramilitary forces ==

=== Bahrain ===
In [[Bahrain]], emergence of a small militia group Katibat al Haydariyah was first seen in 2015. During the year, total four attacks were claimed by the group, including on August 22 and 24, 2015, in [[Muharraq]], on September 10, 2015, in [[Khamis, Bahrain|Al Khamis]], and on October 9, 2015, on [[Bahrain Defence Force|Bahraini forces]] in the [[Juffair|Al Juffair]] region. Katibat al Haydariyah is its own distinct organization that decries the Bahraini government, but [[Canada]] and the [[United Kingdom]] listed it as an alias for the larger [[Al-Ashtar Brigades]] (or the Saraya al Ashtar). After four years, the militia group reemerged on social media in October 2019, to threaten new attacks on the island. It stated that they "will not retreat from our goals of the downfall of the [[Al Khalifa]] entity," and that "soon, guns will open their mouths and they will hear the whiz of bullets".<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-11-03 |title=Bahraini militia reemerges to threaten new attacks |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/11/bahraini-militia-reemerges.php |access-date=3 November 2019 |website=FDD's Long War Journal}}</ref>

=== Brazil ===
{{further|Brazilian militias}}

In Brazil, the word ''milícia'' is heavily associated with paramilitary and drug-related criminal groups.

=== Mexico ===
{{main|Gun laws in Mexico#Militia}}
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}

Mexico has a history of various activities and [[Insurgency|insurrection]] by militia and [[paramilitary]] groups dating back several hundred years that include the exploits of historical figures such as Captain [[Manuel Pineda Munoz]] and [[Pancho Villa|Francisco "Pancho" Villa]]. This also includes groups such as the Free-Colored Militia (the interracial militias of [[Viceroyalty of New Spain|New Spain]], Colonial Mexico),<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored">{{Cite book |last=Vinson III |first=Ben |title=Bearing Arms For His Majesty: The Free-Colored Militia in Colonial Mexico |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-8047-5024-0 |location=Stanford, California}}</ref> the [[Camisas Doradas]], and the contemporary [[Grupos de Autodefensa Comunitaria|Self Defense Council of Michoacan]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Pineda |first=Leticia |title=Mexican vigilantes seize new town from drug cartel |url=https://news.yahoo.com/mexican-vigilantes-seize-drug-cartel-bastion-220248151.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115012634/http://news.yahoo.com/mexican-vigilantes-seize-drug-cartel-bastion-220248151.html |archive-date=15 January 2014 |access-date=13 January 2014 |publisher=Yahoo News}}</ref>

Free-colored militias were an important and at times critical organization in Colonial Mexico. Prior to the eighteenth century, Spain's territories in the Americas were mainly defended through a series of Spanish military units being based in strategic coastal port cities and important economic centers.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|8–10}} But as European rivals began to challenge the Spanish crown and their dominance in the new world, the Bourbon dynasty initiated a series of reforms, allowing people from their colonies to serve in the regular armies, as well as permitting local militias in their territories.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|14–16}}

While these groups began to integrate themselves into the official Spanish colonial militaries, free-colored militias have been reluctantly used since the-mid sixteenth century. ''Palenques,'' or run away slave communities, would often initiate slavery uprising in various cities and towns in New Spain, which made the colonial Spanish authorities uneasy about arming any free colored individuals.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|14–16}} Free colored rebellions and violence in Mexico City impacted regional policy of New Spain towards blacks. Given this social context, the racial climate in which these free-colored militias first appeared  was a hostile one, and the first militias often had conflicts within them between their free-colored and white commanders.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|20–23}} The first large scale recruitment of fee-colored militias was in response to the attack on Veracruz port in 1683 by Dutch pirateer Lorenzo de Graff, with free-colored soldiers being called in from Mexico City, Puebla, Orizaba and other large colonial cities.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|30–32}} Militias increasingly began to take shape and develop over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, but it's critical to understand that their development was not a linear progressive one. The experiences of militias in urban areas was vastly different from those in rural communities, and the role, influence, and duties of militias in the early 17th century were not the same as those of a century later. The critical stage for militia growth  was during 1670–1762, where there was an increase of the militias responsibilities and they gained a considerable amount of autonomy over their own affairs.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|30–32}} The social impact of these free-colored militias added complexity to the race-based caste system that dominated the social landscape.

Free-colored militias were structured to follow the ''tercio'' organizational model that was used by Spanish Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|47–50}} ''Tercios'' compromised 2,500 soldiers distributed among ten companies, each under the leadership of a captain. Free-colored militias under the tercio system were headed by a ''sargento mayor'' (major) who became the senior operating officer in militias. Under the ''sargento mayor'' were the junior officers, which included one captain and alferez (lieutenant) per company, who were also aided by an ''ayudante'' (adjutant) and ''subteniente'' (second lieutenant) after they were incorporated into the system after 1767. The captain had supreme authority within their company, only reporting to the ''sargento'' mayor when he could not control matters of the company. The ''alferez'' coordinated affairs with his captain and was next in line in command in his absence. Below the junior officers were ranking NCO's and up to four sergeants served per company. A ''cabo'' (corporal) was assigned to lead each squad of 25 soldiers. These NCO's were responsible for discipline of the soldiers and maintaining a limited record of individuals.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|47–50}} Officers and first sergeants were the only soldiers in the free-colored militias to receive a monthly salary with lower ranked soldiers only receiving pay when on campaigns. Their salaries came from the royal treasuries, alongside occasional supplementation by private contributions of prominent individuals.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|83–84}}

Who exactly constitutes as a "free-colored person" is subject to much debate and discussion. While the terms ''pardos, mulatos, negros'' and ''morenos'' were commonly used under the caste system that was in place during this era, their use in this context is much more complex and who exactly qualified as who was a very fluid process, dependent on the social context of the time and place.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|200–201}} Despite the lack of universal understanding of racial identification across New Spain, when they were faced with external threats to their organizations, free-colored militias showed great racial unity in these times, such as in the case of Huajolotitlan, a small town of Oaxaca in southern Mexico.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|207–211}} After a decree was passed in 1784 calling for the retirement of every free-colored officer and the disbandment of their militia, the tows free-coloreds fiercely resisted. Free-colored soldiers refused to leave their posts and they dispatched to the capital in protests to defend their racially integrated organizations. This later inspired the communities other free-colored people to protests what they saw as other aggressions by the government, such as increasing tribute burdens.<ref name="Vinson_Free_Colored" />{{Rp|207–211}}

While some of the previous examples are historical, the current official view on the existence of such militias in Mexico, when they are not backed by the government,<ref>{{cite web |author=La Jornada |title=El gobierno creó en 1976 brigada especial para "aplastar" a guerrilleros en el valle de México |url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2008/07/07/index.php?section=politica&article=014n1pol |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> has been to always label them as illegal and to combat them in a military and a political way.<ref>{{cite web |title=MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base |url=http://tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=3901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713085118/http://tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=3901 |archive-date=13 July 2007 |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref>

Modern examples on the Mexican view on militias are the Chiapas conflict against the EZLN<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris Arsenault |title=Zapatistas: The war with no breath? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/01/20111183946608868.html |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> and against the [[Popular Revolutionary Army|EPR]] in Guerrero,<ref>{{cite web |title=Desapariciones forzadas del calderonismo |url=http://www.contralinea.com.mx/archivo/2008/junio/htm/desapariciones-forzadas.htm |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> where the government forces combated the upraised militias. And in a more recent case when civilian [[Grupos de Autodefensa Comunitaria|self-defence militias]] appeared during the Mexican war on drugs,<ref>{{cite web |date=20 January 2014 |title=Autoridades consignan a líder 'templario' señalado por autodefensas |url=http://mexico.cnn.com/nacional/2014/01/20/autoridades-detienen-a-presunto-lider-templario-acusado-por-autodefensas |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318233341/http://mexico.cnn.com/nacional/2014/01/20/autoridades-detienen-a-presunto-lider-templario-acusado-por-autodefensas |archive-date=18 March 2015 |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> the government regulated them and transformed the militias in to [[Rurales|Rural federal forces]],<ref>{{cite web |date=2014-05-11 |title=Autodefensas inicia operaciones como Fuerza Rural de Michoacán |url=http://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/2014/05/10/958523 |access-date=23 March 2015 |work=Excélsior}}</ref> and those who resisted were combated and imprisoned.<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://mexico.cnn.com/nacional/2014/06/27/autoridades-detienen-en-michoacan-a-jose-manuel-mireles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627233321/http://mexico.cnn.com/nacional/2014/06/27/autoridades-detienen-en-michoacan-a-jose-manuel-mireles |archive-date=2014-06-27 |access-date=2014-06-28}}</ref>

== By country ==

=== Afghanistan ===
Militias have been used throughout the history of Afghanistan. [[Afghan Militia]]s and irregular forces have contributed significantly to the military history of the country and affected the process of state formation.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lauri |first1=Antonio De |last2=Suhrke |first2=Astri |title=Armed governance: the case of the CIA-supported Afghan militias |journal=Small Wars & Insurgencies |date=3 April 2021 |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=490–508 |doi=10.1080/09592318.2020.1777618 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09592318.2020.1777618 |issn=0959-2318|hdl=11250/2661004 |s2cid=225715612 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

=== Andorra ===
Andorra has a small army, which has historically been raised or reconstituted at various dates, but has never in modern times amounted to a standing army. The basic principle of Andorran defence is that all able-bodied men are available to fight if called upon by the sounding of the Sometent. Being a [[landlocked country]], Andorra has no navy.

Before World War I, Andorra maintained an armed militia force of about 600 part-time militiamen under the supervision of a Captain (Capità or Cap de Sometent) and a Lieutenant (Desener or Lloctinent del Capità). This body was not liable for service outside the principality and was commanded by two officials (veguers) appointed by France and the Bishop of Urgell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.policia.ad/historia.html|title=Cos de Policia - Història i identitat|website=Policia.ad|access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref>

In the modern era, the army has consisted of a very small body of volunteers willing to undertake [[Honor guard|ceremonial duties]]. Uniforms and weaponry were handed down from generation to generation within families and communities.<ref name="elperiodic.ad">{{cite web|url=https://www.elperiodic.ad/noticia/49867/el-sometent-es-lliura-de-registrar-larma|title=El Sometent es lliura de registrar l'arma|website=El Periòdic d'Andorra|date=23 February 2016 |access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref>

The army's role in internal security was largely taken over by the formation of the [[Police Corps of Andorra]] in 1931. Brief civil disorder associated with the elections of 1933 led to assistance being sought from the French [[National Gendarmerie]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ad.vlex.com/vid/policia-285260|title=De la policia|website=vLex|access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref> with a detachment resident in [[Andorra]] for two months under the command of René-Jules Baulard.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The Andorran Police was reformed in the following year, with eleven soldiers appointed to supervisory roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1157484 |title=Andorra's 'ARMY' – Eleven Permanent Troops! |work=The Times |date=5 January 1934 |access-date=26 August 2012}}</ref> The force consisted of six [[Corporal]]s, one for each parish (although there are currently seven parishes, there were only six until 1978), plus four junior staff officers to co-ordinate action, and a commander with the rank of major. It was the responsibility of the six corporals, each in his own parish, to be able to raise a fighting force from among the able-bodied men of the parish.

Today a small, twelve-man ceremonial unit remains the only permanent section of the Sometent, but all able-bodied men remain technically [[Conscription|available for military service]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diariandorra.ad/noticies/dmg/recordes_quan/2018/10/21/els_anhels_andorra_136998_1196.html|title=Els anhels d'Andorra|first=Elisenda|last=Pallarés|location=Andorra la Vella|date=21 October 2018|website=DiariAndorra.ad|access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref> with a requirement for each family to have access to a firearm. An [[Shot (pellet)|area weapon]] such as a Shotgun per household is unregulated, however [[Bullet|ranged weapons]] such as Pistols and Rifles require a license.<ref name="elperiodic.ad"/> The army has not fought for more than 700 years, and its main responsibility is to [[Colour guard|present the]] [[flag of Andorra]] at official ceremonial functions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aire.ad/documents/10200707_BOP14073Reglament_atm.pdf |title=Bop14073 |access-date=26 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andorramania.com/histoire_gb.htm |title=History of the Principality of Andorra |publisher=Andorramania.com |date=11 December 1997 |access-date=26 August 2012}}</ref> According to [[Marc Forné Molné]], Andorra's military budget is strictly from voluntary donations, and the availability of full-time volunteers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/webcast/ga/58/statements/andoeng030925.htm |title=Andorra |publisher=Un.org |date=25 September 2003 |access-date=26 August 2012}}</ref>

In more recent times there has only been a general emergency call to the popular army of Sometent during the floods of 1982 in the Catalan Pyrenees,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elperiodic.ad/opinio/article/27735/82-aiguats|title=La Tribuna - 82 aiguats|website=El Periòdic d'Andorra|date=23 November 2012 |access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref> where 12 citizens perished in Andorra, to help the population and establish a public order along with the Local Police units.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elperiodic.ad/noticia/27039/la-nit-mes-llarga-en-molts-anys|title=La nit més llarga en molts anys|website=El Periòdic d'Andorra|date=29 October 2012 |access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref>

=== Argentina ===
In the early 1800s [[Buenos Aires]], which was by then the capital of the [[Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata]], was attacked during the [[British invasions of the Río de la Plata]]. As regular military forces were insufficient to counter the British attackers, [[Santiago de Liniers]] drafted all males in the city capable of bearing arms into the military. These recruits included the [[criollo peoples]], who ranked low down in the social hierarchy, as well as some slaves. With these reinforcements, the British armies were twice defeated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.granaderovoluntario.com.ar/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513224611/http://www.granaderovoluntario.com.ar/|url-status=dead|title=Granadero Voluntario|archive-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> The militias became a strong factor in the politics of the city afterwards, as a springboard from which the ''criollos'' could manifest their political ambitions.<ref>Lyman Johnson, ''Workshop of Revolution: Plebeian Buenos Aires and the Atlantic World, 1776–1810'', Duke University Press, United States p. 264</ref> They were a key element in the success of the [[May Revolution]], which deposed the Spanish viceroy and began the [[Argentine War of Independence]]. A decree by [[Mariano Moreno]] derogated the system of promotions involving ''criollos'',{{clarify|post-text=meaning unclear|date=May 2014}} allowing instead their promotion on military merit.

The [[Argentine Civil War]] was waged by militias again, as both federalists and unitarians drafted common people into their ranks as part of ongoing conflicts. These irregular armies were organized at a provincial level, and assembled as leagues depending on political pacts.<ref>Academia Nacional de la Historia Journal, ''Partes de batalla de las guerras civiles'', 1977 {{in lang|es}}</ref> This system had declined by the 1870s, mainly due to the establishment of the modern [[Argentine Army]], drafted for the [[Paraguayan War]] by President [[Bartolomé Mitre]].<ref>Miguel Angel De Marco, ''La guerra del Paraguay'', Ed. Booket, Buenos Aires, 2010. {{ISBN|978-987-580-364-0}} {{in lang|es}}</ref> Provincial militias were outlawed and decimated by the new army throughout the presidential terms of Mitre, [[Domingo Faustino Sarmiento|Sarmiento]], [[Nicolas Avellaneda|Avellaneda]] and [[Julio Argentino Roca|Roca]].<ref>Trinidad Delia Chianelli, ''El gobierno del puerto''. Memorial de la Patria, volume XII, Ed. La Bastilla, Buenos Aires, 1984 {{in lang|es}}.</ref>

=== Armenia ===
[[File:Armenian Fedayees 1890-1896.jpg|thumb|[[Armenian fedayi|Armenian ''fedayi'']] were [[Armenia]]n [[irregular military|irregular militia]] formed in the late 19th and early 20th century to defend Armenian villages.]]
{{Main|Armenian irregular units}}
Armenian militia, or ''[[Armenian fedayi|fedayi]]'' played a major role in the independence of various Armenian states, including [[Western Armenia]], the [[First Republic of Armenia]], and the [[Republic of Artsakh]]. Armenian militia also played a role in the [[War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)|Georgia-Abkhazia War]] of 1992–1993.

=== Australia ===
In the [[Colony of New South Wales]], Governor [[Lachlan Macquarie]] proposed a [[Militia (British Dominions and Crown Colonies)|colonial militia]] but the idea was rejected. Governor [[Ralph Darling]] felt a [[mounted police]] force was more efficient than a militia. A [[military volunteer]] movement attracted wide interest during the [[Crimean War]].<ref>pp. 21–22 Grey, Jeffrey ''A Military History of Australia'' Cambridge University Press</ref> Following Federation, the various military reserve forces of the [[Commonwealth of Australia]] became the [[Citizen Military Force]] (CMF).

A citizens' militia modeled on the [[British Home Guard]] called the [[Volunteer Defence Corps (Australia)|Volunteer Defence Corps]] (VDC) was founded by the [[Returned and Services League of Australia]] (RSL) in 1940 in response to the possibility of a Japanese invasion of Australia. In the beginning, members didn't have uniforms and often paraded in business attire. They were given instruction on [[guerrilla warfare]], and later the private organization was taken over by the Australian Government and became part of the [[Australian Military Forces]] (AMF). The government supported the organization and equipped them with [[anti-aircraft artillery]]; however, they were disbanded by the end of World War II due to the fact that there was no longer a significant threat to national security.

=== Austria ===
{{See also|Republikanischer Schutzbund|Heimwehr}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2008}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-00839, Österreich, Republikanischer Schutzbund.jpg|thumb|[[Republikanischer Schutzbund]] was an [[Austria]]n militia formed in 1923, one of several militias formed in post-[[World War I]] Austria.]]

During the [[Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire]], a National Guard was established in Vienna. A separate but related [[Academic Legion (Vienna)|Academic Legion]] was composed mainly of students in the capital city.

After [[World War I]], multiple militias formed as [[soldier]]s returned home to their [[village]]s, only to find many of them occupied by [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs|Slovene]] and [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] forces. Especially in the southern province of [[Carinthia (province)|Carinthia]] the Volkswehr (Peoples Defense Force) was formed, to fight the occupant forces.

During the [[First Austrian Republic|First Republic]], similar to the development in [[Germany]], increasing [[radicalization]] of politics led to certain [[paramilitary]] militias associating with certain [[political parties]]. The [[Heimwehr]] (German: ''Home Defense'') became affiliated with the [[Christian Social Party (Austria)|Christian Social Party]] and the [[Republikanischer Schutzbund]] (German: ''Republican Defense League'') became affiliated with the [[Social Democratic Party of Austria|Social Democratic Workers' Party of Austria]]. Violence increasingly escalated, breaking out during the [[July Revolt of 1927]] and finally the [[Austrian Civil War]], when the Schutzbund was defeated by the Heimwehr, [[Law enforcement in Austria|police]], [[Gendarmerie (Austria)|Gendarmerie]] and [[Austrian Armed Forces]].

After [[World War II]] the [[Austrian Armed Forces]] (Bundesheer) were reestablished as a [[conscript]] military force. A basic part of it is the militia, which is a regular reservists force of the Bundesheer, comparable to the [[National Guard of the United States|national guard]] units of the United States. The conscript soldiers of the militia have to store their military equipment at home, to be mobilized quite fast within a few days in case of emergency. The system was established during the [[Cold War]] and still exists, but the members of the militia now are volunteers only.

=== Belgium ===
{{Main|Belgian Civil Guard}}
The Garde Civique or Burgerwacht (French and Dutch; "Civic Guard") was a Belgian paramilitary militia which existed between 1830 and 1920. Created in October 1830 shortly after the Belgian Revolution, the Guard amalgamated the various militia groups which had been created by the middle classes to protect property during the political uncertainty. Its role was as a quasi-military "gendarmerie", with the primary role of maintaining social order within Belgium. Increasingly anachronistic, it was demobilised in 1914 and officially disbanded in 1920, following a disappointing performance during the German invasion of Belgium in World War I.

=== Canada ===
{{Main|Canadian Militia}}
{{See also|Canadian units of the War of 1812|Colonial militia in Canada}}
[[File:Push on, brave York volunteers(large).jpg|thumb|Depiction of the [[2nd Regiment of York Militia]] during the [[Battle of Queenston Heights]]. The regiment was one of several [[Canadian units of the War of 1812|Canadian militia units during the War of 1812]].]]
In Canada the title "Militia" historically referred to the land component of the armed forces, both regular (full-time) and reserve. The earliest [[Canadian militia]]s date from the beginning of the [[French colonial empire|French]] [[New France|colonial period]]. In [[New France]], [[Louis XIV|King Louis XIV]] created a compulsory militia of settlers in every parish that supported French authorities in the defence and expansion of the colony.

Following the British [[Conquest of 1760|conquest of New France]] in 1760, local militia units supported [[British Army]] regiments stationed in [[British America]], and, after the secession of thirteen continental colonies in the [[American War of Independence]], [[British North America]]. In addition to the Canadian militia, British regiments were also supported by locally raised regulars (including the [[40th (the 2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot|40th Regiment of Foot]], and the [[100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot]]) and [[Fencibles]] regiments. These regiments were raised through ordinary modes of recruiting, as opposed to being raised by ballot like the militia. Most militia units were only activated in time of war, but remained inactive in between. The battle honours awarded to these colonial militia regiments are perpetuated by modern regiments within the [[Canadian Army]].

Defence of [[the Canadas]] long relied on a contingent of [[British soldiers in the eighteenth century|British soldiers]], as well as support from the [[Royal Navy]]. However, the Crimean War saw the diversion of a significant number of British soldiers from [[British North America]]. Fearing possible incursions from the United States, the [[Parliament of the Province of Canada]] passed the ''[[Militia Act of 1855]]'', creating the Active Militia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-448-eng.aspx |title=The 1855 Volunteers |publisher=Government of Canada |work=Canadian Military Heritage, vol. 2 |date=1 May 2017 |access-date=15 December 2017 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221111/http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-448-eng.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Active Militia, later splitting into the [[Permanent Active Militia]] (PAM), a full-time professional army component (although it continued to use the label militia), and [[Non-Permanent Active Militia]] (NPAM), a [[military reserve force]] for the Canadian militia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-545-eng.aspx|title=The Defence of Canada by Canadians|work=Canadian Military Heritage, vol. 3|date=1 May 2017|access-date=15 December 2017|publisher=Government of Canada|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215163732/http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-545-eng.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following 1855, the traditional sedentary militia was reorganized into the Reserve Militia, with its last enrolment taking place in 1873, and was formally abolished in 1950.

Prior to [[Canadian Confederation]], the colonies that made up the [[The Maritimes|Maritimes]], and [[Newfoundland Colony|Newfoundland]] maintained their own militias independent of the Canadian Militia. [[Bermuda]], part of British North America and militarily subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief of the Maritimes,<ref>{{cite book |last=Young |first=Douglas MacMurray |author-link= |date=1961 |title=The Colonial Office in The Early Nineteenth Century |url= |location=London |publisher=Published for the Royal Commonwealth Society by Longmans |page=55 |isbn=}}</ref> allowed its militia to lapse following the [[American War of 1812]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ingham-Hind |first=Jennifer M. |title=Defence, Not Defiance: A History Of The Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps |year=1992 |location=Bermuda |publisher=The Island Press |isbn=0969651716}}</ref> United States Independence, however, elevated Bermuda to the status of an [[Imperial fortress]] and it would be strongly defended by the regular army,<ref>{{cite book |last=Harris |first=Edward C. |author-link=Edward C. Harris |title=Bermuda Forts 1612–1957 |year=1997 |location=Bermuda |publisher=The Bermuda Maritime Museum Press |isbn=9780921560111}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Quebec Almanack and British American Royal Kalendar For The Year 1815 |location=Quebec |publisher=J. Neilson and Cowan, No. 3 Mountain Street |date=1815 |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=CIVIL LIST OF THE PROVINCE OF LOWER-CANADA 1828: GOVERNOR |url= |magazine=The Quebec Almanack and British American Royal Kalendar For The Year 1828 |location=Quebec |publisher=Neilson and Cowan, No. 3 Mountain Street |date=1812 |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=STAFF of the ARMY in the Provinces of Nova-Scotia, New-Brunswick, and their Dependencies, including the Island of Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Prince Edward and Bermuda |magazine=The Quebec Almanack and British American Royal Kalendar For The Year 1828 |location=Quebec |publisher=Neilson and Cowan, No. 3 Mountain Street |date=1812}}</ref> and left out of the confederation of Canada.<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Andrew and The Onions: The Story of The Royal Navy in Bermuda, 1795–1975'', by Lieutenant-Commander B. Ian D. Stranack. Bermuda Maritime Museum Press</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bermuda-online.org/rnd.htm |title=Bermuda Online: Bermuda's Royal Navy base at Ireland Island from 1815 to the 1960s |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203012157/http://www.bermuda-online.org/rnd.htm |archive-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org">[https://web.archive.org/web/20101116024704/http://anglican.nfol.ca/history.php Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador]</ref><ref>[https://anglicanenl.net/home/our-history/ ''Our History''. Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/society/anglicanism.php |title=The Church of England |last=Piper |first=Liza |date=2000 |website=Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador |publisher=Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web Site |access-date=2021-08-17 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.romancatholicbermuda.bm/about-us |title=A History Of Our Church |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda |publisher=The Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda |access-date=2021-08-28 |quote=The Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda was established in 12th June 1967. Bermuda was served by the Diocesan clergy of Halifax until 1953, after which pastoral responsibility transferred to the Congregation of the Resurrection.}}</ref><ref>{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |title=SUPPLY—ARMY ESTIMATES |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1839/mar/22/supply-army-estimates |house=House of Commons |date=1839-03-22 |volume=46 |column_start=1141 |column_end=1142 |speaker=Sir Henry Hardinge |position=MP for Launceston}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-449-eng.aspx|title=In the Maritimes|work=Canadian Military Heritage, vol. 2|date=1 May 2017|access-date=16 January 2018|publisher=Government of Canada|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117011816/http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-449-eng.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1853 to 1871, the [[Colony of Vancouver Island]] (and the succeeding [[Colony of British Columbia (1866–1871)|Colony of British Columbia]]) periodically raised and disbanded militia units. These units were raised for specific purposes, or in response to a specific threat, real or perceived.<ref>{{cite journal|publisher=Canadian Forces|last=Goulet|first=Adam|title=The Colonial Militia of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1853–1871|journal=Canadian Military Journal|volume=14|issue=3|page=64|year=2014}}</ref>
[[File:The Canadian Militia, 1898.jpg|thumb|left|Uniforms of the [[Canadian Militia]] in 1898. The force included the [[Permanent Active Militia]], a full-time professional land force which became the [[Canadian Army]] in 1940.]]
After the [[Treaty of Washington (1871)|Treaty of Washington]] was signed between the Americans and British, nearly all remaining British soldiers were withdrawn from Canada in November 1871.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-507-eng.aspx|title=Withdrawal of British Troops from Canada|work=Canadian Military Heritage, vol. 3|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=14 December 2017|date=1 May 2017|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215111444/http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-507-eng.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The departure of the majority of British forces in Canada made the Canadian militia the only major land forces available in Canada. In 1940, both components of the militia, PAM and NPAM were reorganized, the former into [[Regular Force|Canadian Army (Active)]], the latter into the [[Primary Reserve|Canadian Army (Reserve)]]

[[File:13th Royal Regiment, Canadian Militia, church parade in Hamilton, Ontario, 1915.jpg|thumb|A church parade of the [[The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)|13th Royal Regiment]], Canadian Militia, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1915]]
In addition to the various colonial militia units, and the regiments of the Canadian militia, in 1942, the Army's [[Pacific Command (Canadian Army)|Pacific Command]] created the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers. Intended to function similarly to the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[Home Guard (United Kingdom)|Home Guard]], the Rangers were a secondary defence force, defending the coast of [[British Columbia]] and [[Yukon]] from potential Japanese attack.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Canadian Rangers: A Living History|pages=32–33|last=Lackenbauer|first=P. Whitney|publisher=UBC Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-7748-2455-2}}</ref> The Rangers were disbanded in September 1945, shortly after the conclusion of World War II. The legacy of the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers is perpetuated by the [[Canadian Rangers]], a component of the Primary Reserve that provides a military presence in areas where it would not be economically or practically viable to have conventional Army units – most notably [[northern Canada]].

The Canadian Army Reserve continued to use the term ''militia'' in reference to itself until the [[unification of the Canadian Armed Forces]] in 1968. Since unification, no Canadian military force has formally used ''militia'' in its name. However, the Canadian Army Reserve is still colloquially referred to as the ''militia''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection-R/LoPBdP/BP/prb9911-e.htm#b.%20Militiatxt|title=The Canadian Armed Forces: The Role of the Reserves|last=McDonald|first=Corinne|date=29 November 1999|access-date=27 January 2019|work=Government of Canada Publications|publisher=Government of Canada}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news/article.page?doc=the-reserve-force-and-reserve-classes-of-service%2Fhnmx1bib|title=The Reserve Force and Reserve Classes of Service|work=Department of National Defence|publisher=Government of Canada|date=6 July 2018|access-date=27 January 2019|archive-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302035130/http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news/article.page?doc=the-reserve-force-and-reserve-classes-of-service%2Fhnmx1bib|url-status=dead}}</ref> Members of the Canadian Army Reserve troops typically train one night a week and every other weekend of the month, except in the summer. Summertime training may consist of courses, individual call-outs, or concentrations (unit and formation training of one to two weeks' duration). Most Canadian cities and counties have one or more militia units. Primary Reserve members may volunteer for overseas service, to augment their regular force counterparts—usually during [[NATO]] or [[United Nations]] missions.

=== China ===
{{Main|Paramilitary forces of China|People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia|Militia (China)}}
[[File:Hangzhou, Lingyin 1978 09.jpg|thumb|A group of [[Militia (China)|Chinese militia]] recruits attending shooting practice with [[SKS|Type 56]] rifles in Hangzhou (March 1978).]]
China's current [[Paramilitary forces of China#Militia|militia]] falls under the leadership of the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP), and forms part of the Chinese armed forces. Under the command of the military organs, it undertakes such jobs as war preparation services, security and defense operational tasks and assistance in maintaining [[social order]] and public security.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.gov.cn/2005-09/02/content_28491.htm |title=The Components of the Armed Forces |publisher=English.gov.cn |access-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809155545/http://english.gov.cn/2005-09/02/content_28491.htm |archive-date=2012-08-09 }}</ref>

Historically, militias of varying levels of ability have existed in China, organized on a village and [[Chinese clan|clan]] level, especially during periods of instability and in areas subject to pirate and bandit attack. When the British attempted to take control of the [[New Territories]] in 1898, they were resisted by the local militias which had been formed for mutual defence against [[Piracy|pirate]] raids. Although ultimately defeated, the militias' dogged resistance convinced the British to make concessions to the [[Indigenous inhabitants (Hong Kong)|indigenous inhabitants]] allowing them to preserve inheritance, property and marriage rights and customs throughout most of the period of the British rule.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hk.geocities.com/yingconghk/NT.htm |title=The reason behind the resistance by the New Territories inhabitants against British takeover in 1899 |access-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027114956/http://hk.geocities.com/yingconghk/NT.htm |archive-date=October 27, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/tp_d/pdf/TaiPo%20Book%20(Eng%20Ver)/TaiPo%20Book%20(Eng%20Ver)%2008%20Chap%2003.pdf |title=Traditional Society and Living |website=www.districtcouncils.gov.hk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609192135/http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/tp_d/pdf/TaiPo%20Book%20%28Eng%20Ver%29/TaiPo%20Book%20%28Eng%20Ver%29%2008%20Chap%2003.pdf |archive-date=June 9, 2011}}</ref>

=== Cuba ===
{{Main|Military of Cuba}}
Cuba has three militia organizations: The [[Territorial Troops Militia]] (''Milicias de Tropas Territoriales'') of about one million people (half women),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cubagob.cu/otras_info/minfar/far/mtt.htm |title=MTT |access-date=2014-02-22 |archive-date=2009-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113152626/http://www.cubagob.cu/otras_info/minfar/far/mtt.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> the Youth Labor Army (''Ejército Juvenil del Trabajo'') devoted to agricultural production, and a naval militia.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jr |first1=Karl DeRouen |last2=Heo |first2=Uk |title=Defense and Security [2 volumes]: A Compendium of National Armed Forces and Security Policies [2 volumes] |date=27 September 2005 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-85109-786-9 |page=199 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n6jOEAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Cuban Threat to U.S. National Security |url=https://irp.fas.org/dia/product/980507-dia-cubarpt.htm |website=Intelligence Resource Program |publisher=Federation of American Scientists |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> Formerly, there existed the [[National Revolutionary Militias]] (''Milicias Nacionales Revolucionarias''), which was formed after the [[Cuban Revolution]] and initially consisted of 200,000 men who helped the 25,000 strong standing army defeat counter-revolutionary guerillas.<ref>Szulc, Ted. ''Fidel: A Critical Portrait'', Page 440. Hutchinson, 1986. {{ISBN|0-09-172602-6}}</ref>

=== Czech Republic ===
{{Main|Designated Reserves (Czech Republic)}}
{{See also|Gun law in the Czech Republic}}
[[File:Designated Reserves (Czech Republic) - Level 1 training.jpg|thumb|Designated Reserves Level 1 training - shooting from concealment.]]

In 2021, the Czech Parliament passed an Act No. 14/2021 Coll., on the handling of weapons in certain cases affecting the internal order or security of the Czech Republic. The Act's number 14/21 symbolically refers to the [[History of Czech civilian firearms possession#Firearms becoming primary weapons|600th anniversary]] of civilian firearms possession in the country.<ref name= "zbrojnice-1421">{{cite web
 | last = Gawron
 | first = Tomáš
 | title = Vláda neplní programové prohlášení ohledně obrany a civilního držení zbraní [Government fails to implement programme statement on defence and civilian possession of weapons]
 | work = zbrojnice.com
 | date = 14 August 2023
 | url = https://zbrojnice.com/2023/08/14/vlada-neplni-programove-prohlaseni-ohledne-obrany-a-civilniho-drzeni-zbrani/
 | accessdate = 8 May 2024
 | language = Czech}}
</ref> The legislation establishes "''a system of firearms training, the purpose of which is to improve the knowledge, abilities and skills of persons authorised to handle firearms for the purpose of ensuring internal order or the security of the Czech Republic''".<ref>[https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2021-14 Act No. 14/2021 Coll.], Art. 4(1)</ref> Gun owners can join government endorsed advanced shooting training courses with their privately owned firearms and become members of the militia-style Designated Reserves.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.czdefence.cz/clanek/ozbrojeni-civiliste-a-budouci-bezpecnostni-krize | title=Ozbrojení civilisté a budoucí bezpečnostní krize }}</ref>

=== Denmark ===
[[File:Golden Coyote exercise underway in the Black Hills 120610-A-AB123-003.jpg|thumb|A joint patrol between [[Arizona National Guard]] and the Danish [[Home Guard (Denmark)|Home Guard]] during the Golden Coyote training exercise.]]
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}
The [[Danish Home Guard]] ({{langx|da|Hjemmeværnet}}) (HJV) is the fourth service of the [[Danish military]]. It was formerly concerned only with the defence of Danish territory but, since 2008, it has also supported Danish international military efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. There are five branches: Army Home Guard, Naval Home Guard, Air Force Home Guard, Police Home Guard, and Infrastructure Home Guard.

=== Estonia ===
{{Main|Omakaitse}}

The [[Omakaitse]] (Home Guard) was an organisation formed by the local population of [[Estonia]] on the basis of the [[Estonian Defence League]] and the [[forest brothers]] resistance movement active on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] between 3{{nbsp}}July 1941 and 17{{nbsp}}September 1944.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okupatsioon.ee/english/overviews/ylev/ylev-RESISTAN.html |title=Resistance |website=www.okupatsioon.ee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523025306/http://www.okupatsioon.ee/english/overviews/ylev/ylev-RESISTAN.html |archive-date=May 23, 2010}}</ref> This arrangement was unique in the context of the war as in [[Occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany|Latvia]], which otherwise shared a common fate with Estonia, there was no organisation of this kind.<ref name=kuusik>{{cite book|author=Argo Kuusik|year=2006|pages=797–806|chapter=Estonian Omakaitse in 1941–1944|editor=[[:et:Toomas Hiio|Toomas Hiio]] |editor2=Meelis Maripuu |editor3=[[:et:Indrek Paavle|Indrek Paavle]] |title=Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity|location=Tallinn|title-link=Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity}}{{Circular reference|date=May 2024}}</ref>

=== Ethiopia ===
The [[People's Militia (Ethiopia)|People's Militia]] was established in 1975 under the [[Derg|Derg regime's]] Proclamation No 71, used to assist police forces and protect farms and property. The militia did operations in Eritrea during the [[Ogaden War]], while [[Mengistu Haile Mariam]] reconstituted as the "Red Army". The Derg government conscripted about 30,000 to 40,000 civilians into the militia from  [[Shewa]], [[Wollo Province|Wollo]], and [[Gojjam|Gojam]] provinces in May 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Ethiopia: The Armed Forces |url=http://memory.loc.gov/frd/etsave/et_05_02.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224140441/http://memory.loc.gov/frd/etsave/et_05_02.html |archive-date=2007-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ETHIOPIA: NEW 80,000-STRONG PEOPLE'S MILITIA PARADES BEFORE ETHIOPIA'S RULER LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MENGISTU HAILE-MARIAM. |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=British Pathé |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

The [[Fano (militia)|Fano]] militia is an ethno-nationalist [[Amhara people|Amhara]] militia and former protest movement that emerged during the [[premiership of Abiy Ahmed]]. Fano intervened armed conflicts in the [[Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)|post-2018 regime]], including [[Benishangul-Gumuz conflict|Benishangul-Gumuz]]'s Metekel conflict, [[Tigray War]] and recently [[War in Amhara]]. They have been accused of ethnic massacres against other ethnic groups, such as the [[Qemant people|Qemant]] and other minorities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2022-05-04 |title=The truth about Fano (militia) and the false accusations against it |url=https://borkena.com/2022/05/04/ethiopia-fano-militia-the-truth-about-it-and-the-false-accusations-against-it/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Finland ===
[[File:Varkaus White Guards 1918.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[White Guard (Finland)|White Guard]] after the [[Battle of Varkaus]]. The White Guard was a voluntary militia that fought for the [[Whites (Finland)|Whites]] in the [[Finnish Civil War]].]]
{{see also|White Guard (Finland)}}
While [[Conscription in Finland|Finland employs conscription]], they do not have separate militia units: all units are organized by and under the command of the [[Finnish Defence Forces]]. All men belong to the reserve until age 50 or 60 depending on rank, and may be called up in case of mobilization. Each reservist is assigned a position in a unit to be activated. However, since 2004, the FDF does have [[Territorial Forces (Finland)|territorial forces]], organized along the lines of regular infantry formations, which are composed of volunteers. Furthermore, long-range patrol units ([[Sissi (Finnish light infantry)|sissi troops]], a type of [[special forces]]) are assigned to local troops.

In history, before Finland became independent, two types of local militias existed: the White Guards and Red Guards, which were non-socialists and socialists, respectively. In the [[Finnish Civil War]] (1918) the White Guards founded the White Army, which was victorious over the Red Guards. White Guards continued their existence as a volunteer militia until the Second World War. In some cases their activity found overt political expression as in the [[Mäntsälä rebellion]]. However, in 1934 separate wartime White Guard units were dissolved and in the Second World War they served at the front, dispersed in regular units. They were dissolved as a condition of peace after the Continuation War.

=== India ===
[[Salwa Judum]] (meaning "Peace March"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Salwa-Judum--menace-or-messiah/articleshow/5704885.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811072916/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-20/india/28125246_1_salwa-judum-tribal-youths-spos |url-status=live |archive-date=2011-08-11 |title=Salwa Judum – menace or messiah? |date=2010-03-20 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2014-02-22}}</ref> or "Purification Hunt" in [[Gondi language]]) was a militia active in the [[Chhattisgarh]] state of [[India]].

[[Village Defence Guards]], formerly known as Village Defence Committees, were first set up in 1995.<ref name=":0" /> The idea of the VDCs was to arm ex-service personnel to check Pakistani infiltration and espionage. The VDCs were formed in Jammu region of J&K to offer self-defence capabilities to villagers in the face of looming terrorist threats. Under the scheme, each VDC used to have a Special Police Officer (SPO) as its in-charge and there were 10-15 other volunteer members, mostly ex-service personnel. They were given .303 rifles and ammunition. The SPO in charge of the VDC was paid whereas the rest were volunteers. In 2020, the policy of Village Defence Committees was revamped and Village Defence Groups were introduced, members of whom are called Village Defence Guards. It was not just a change of name as the very structure of committees was changed. Unlike VDCs where only SPOs were paid, all VDGs are paid.<ref name=":0"> [https://www.outlookindia.com/national/explained-what-are-village-defence-guards-why-is-government-arming-and-training-villagers-in-jammu-news-252542 Explained: What Are Village Defence Guards, Why Is Government Arming And Training Villagers In Jammu?] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240228060031/https://www.outlookindia.com/national/explained-what-are-village-defence-guards-why-is-government-arming-and-training-villagers-in-jammu-news-252542|date=February 28, 2024}}</ref>

A total of 4,153 Village Defence Groups (VDG) and 32,355 Special Police Officers were engaged in Jammu and Kashmir in different responsibilities for the protection of civilians and anti-terrorists operations.<ref> [https://statetimes.in/4153-village-defence-groups-32355-spos-deployed-in-jk/ 4,153 Village Defence Groups, 32,355 SPOs Deployed In J&K] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240127154150/https://statetimes.in/4153-village-defence-groups-32355-spos-deployed-in-jk/|date=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref> [https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/jan/doc2024125302601.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213025635/https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/jan/doc2024125302601.pdf|date=February 13, 2024}}</ref>

=== Iran ===
{{main|Basij}}
The [[Basij]] militia founded by [[Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini]] in November 1979,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arjomand |first1=Said Amir |title=After Khomeini: Iran Under His Successors |date=20 November 2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-974576-0 |pages=58–59 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mx9Tdoz6axoC |language=en}}</ref> is composed of 90,000 men, with an active and reserve strength up to 300,000 men. It ultimately draws from about 1&nbsp;million members, and is subordinate to the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] in Iran.<ref name="CordesmanMartin">{{cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |last2=Kleiber |first2=Martin |title=Iran's Military Forces and Warfighting Capabilities: The Threat in the Northern Gulf |date=2007 |publisher=CSIS |pages=81−82|isbn=978-0-89206-501-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ReHSixF6ax8C |language=en}}</ref>

=== Iraq ===
{{Main|Private militias in Iraq}}
{{See also|Popular Mobilization Forces}}
Since the rise of [[ISIL]] in 2014 and their conquest of many predominantly-[[Sunni]] areas in [[Iraq]], the [[Shiite]] militias became even more prominent in the country by joining the [[Iraqi Army]] in many major battles against ISIL.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14566&Itemid=128 |title=mnf-iraq.com |publisher=mnf-iraq.com |access-date=2014-02-22 |archive-date=2009-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911220455/http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14566&Itemid=128 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

=== Israel ===
[[File:Ha-shomer.jpg|thumb|Hashomer in 1909]]
In 1908 a Jewish underground organisation, [[Bar-Giora (organization)|Bar Giora]], re-invented itself as an armed militia – [[Hashomer]]. It was established to provide Jewish guards for the [[Zionist]] colonies being established in [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]]. The group existed for 10 years. At its height it had around 100 members, including 23 women.<ref>[[Tom Segev|Segev, Tom]] (2018 – 2019 translation [[Haim Watzman]]) ''A State at Any Cost. The Life of David Ben-Gurion.'' Apollo. {{ISBN|9-781789-544633}}. p.96</ref>

In modern times, the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) is often described as a heavily armed militia, not a full-fledged army, since it is legally and publicly viewed as a defensive force only, and since it relies heavily on the reserve duty of Israeli citizens who are annually called to service for set periods of time, rather than on professional, full-time soldiers.<ref>Bregman, Ahron (2002). ''Israel's Wars: A History Since 1947''. London: Routledge. {{ISBN|0-415-28716-2}}</ref> [[Israeli settlement]]s in the [[Israeli-occupied territories]] rely on armed militia teams for their security.<ref>{{Citation|last=Israel|first=Kershner|title=Israel Intensifies Training of Settler Security Teams|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 30, 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/world/middleeast/31israel.html}}</ref> National service conscripts can also serve in the [[Israel Border Police]] (commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation '''Magav''' which means [[border guard]] in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]), which is a [[paramilitary]] branch of the [[Israel Police]] rather than the IDF.

=== Latvia ===
[[File:Members of the Latvian Zemessardze or National Guard 45th Logistics Battalion, remove a volunteer patient from a military ambulance in a field.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[Latvian National Guard]] during a training exercise. The Guard was created in 1991 as a voluntary military self-defense force.]]
{{Main|Aizsargi|Latvian national partisans|Latvian National Guard}}

=== Libya ===
{{Main article|Post-civil war violence in Libya|2011 Libyan Civil War}}

Since the fall of [[History of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi|Gaddafi's rule of Libya]] in the aftermath of the Libyan Civil War, rebel groups that have contributed to the revolution splintered into self-organized militia movements and have been involved in a feud for control of each city.<ref name="nytoutlast">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/world/africa/in-libya-the-fighting-may-outlast-the-revolution.html|title=In Libya, Fighting May Outlast the Revolution|date=1 November 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|first=David D.|last=Kirkpatrick|access-date=16 November 2011|location=Tripoli}}</ref> Since the revolution, reports of clashes and violence by militia groups have been increasing.<ref name="washington post militias">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/libya-militia-leader-heat-seeking-missiles-other-weapons-stolen-during-firefight/2012/09/24/8ab6f992-0675-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_story.html|title=Libya militia leader: Heat-seeking missiles, other weapons stolen during firefight|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=24 September 2012|access-date=25 September 2012}}</ref>

=== Montenegro ===
In 1910 King [[Nicholas I of Montenegro]] proclaimed that all male citizens were members of a national militia and had both a right and a duty to own at least one Gasser Pattern revolver under penalty of law.

The official reason for the King's decree was to create an armed populace that would deter neighbouring countries from attacking Montenegro, which was unable to field a large army. However, it was widely believed in Montenegro that this decision was actually taken because the King owned shares in Leopold Gasser Waffenfabrik in [[Vienna]] - the patent holder and sole manufacturer of the pistol at that time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Mc Pheeters Antique Militaria - 11MM Montenegro Revolver used in Mexican Revolution|url=http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/01_identified_items/01_item_003.htm|access-date=2020-10-17|website=www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=McCollum|first=Ian|date=2016-06-20|title=RIA: A Pair of Arresting Montenegrin Gasser Revolvers|url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/ria-a-pair-of-arresting-montenegrin-gasser-revolvers/|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Forgotten Weapons|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Peterson|first=Phillip|date=2011-11-04|title=The Revolvers of Montenegro|url=https://gundigest.com/more/classic-guns/the-revolvers-of-montenegro|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Gun Digest|language=en-US}}</ref> Despite this, the decree actually obliged Montenegrin adult males to own a Gasser ''Pattern'' revolver, not necessarily one made by Gasser itself. In fact Leopold Gasser was faced with such heavy demand for the pistol internationally, that it could not fulfil all of the orders placed for it. This led the revolver's manufacturer to license out production to other companies and many Gasser Pattern pistols were then manufactured and sold by other European firms, most notably based out of Belgium and Spain. Even these licensed models did not satiate demand for the pistol and this, alongside a lax enforcement of [[intellectual property]] rights in Montenegro, led to many unlicensed local models of the pistol also being produced, with quality ranging from very good to outright dangerous to its user.

Subsequently, the weapon quickly became a status symbol for Montenegrin men and was commonly worn alongside traditional attire. Many Montenegrin immigrants that travelled to North America brought their Gasser pattern revolvers with them and at least two batches of several thousand pistols were smuggled into Mexico during the [[Mexican Revolution]], leading to the Gasser revolver becoming widespread in the Americas. However, as the original reason for their mass production and the generation that grew around it faded, the pistol eventually lost its place as a status symbol and many were either given away or sold in the secondhand market.

=== Netherlands ===
{{Main|Schutterij}}
Schutterij refers to a voluntary [[city guard]] or citizen militia in the medieval and [[early modern]] [[Netherlands]], intended to protect the town or city from attack and act in case of revolt or fire. Their training grounds were often on open spaces within the city, near the city walls, but, when the weather did not allow, inside a church. They are mostly grouped according to their district and to the weapon that they used: [[bow (weapon)|bow]], [[crossbow]] or [[musket|gun]]. Together, its members are called a ''Schuttersgilde'', which could be roughly translated as a "shooter's [[guild]]". It is now a title applied to ceremonial shooting clubs and to the country's Olympic rifle team.

=== New Zealand ===
[[File:Von Tempsky's death Kennett Watkins.jpg|thumb|Member of the [[New Zealand Police|Armed Constabulary]] shot during the [[New Zealand Wars]]. The Constabulary was a law enforcement agency and a militia until it was reoriented into a police force in 1886.]]
{{Main|New Zealand Defence Force}}
From the [[Treaty of Waitangi]] in 1840 until 1844 small detachments of [[British Army|British Imperial troops]] based in New Zealand were the only military. This changed as a result of the [[Flagstaff War]],<ref>''Bay of Islands'', Daily Southern Cross, vol 2 issue 101, 22 March 1845, p2</ref> with the colonial government passing a Militia Act on 25 March 1845.<ref>''Militia Ordinance'', Daily Southern Cross, Vol 2 issue 103, 5 April 1845, p2</ref> Militia units were formed in [[Auckland]], [[Wellington]], [[New Plymouth]], and [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]]. Service in the militia was compulsory.

Many localized militia saw service, together with British Imperial troops, during the [[New Zealand Wars]]. In the late nineteenth century a system of local Volunteer militias evolved throughout the country. These were semi-trained but uniformed and administered by a small number of regular "Imperial" officers.<ref>{{cite book|first=Wayne|last=Stack|page=6|title=The New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War I|isbn=978-1-84908-539-7|date=2011-10-18|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref>
The militia units were disbanded and reformed as the Territorial Army in 1911.

=== North Korea ===
The [[Worker-Peasant Red Guards]] is a North Korean paramilitary organization organized on a provincial/town/city/village level.

=== Norway ===
[[File:Heimevernet vokter Stortinget.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[Norwegian Home Guard]]. ]]
{{Main|Norwegian Home Guard}}

=== Pakistan ===
Militias have played an important role supporting [[Pakistan Army|Pakistan's Military]] since the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]] when Pakistan, with the support of militias, was able to gain control of parts of the region of [[Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Blackwill |author2=James Dobbins |author3=Michael O'Hanlon |author4=Clare Lockhart |author5=Nathaniel Fick |author6=Molly Kinder |author7=Andrew Erdmann |author8=John Dowdy |author9=Samina Ahmed |author10=Anja Manuel |author11=Meghan O'Sullivan |author12=Nancy Birdsall |author13=Wren Elhai |editor1=Nicholas Burns |editor2=Jonathon Price |title=American Interests in South Asia: Building a Grand Strategy in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ENyfHXi9wz0C&pg=PT155|access-date=3 November 2011|publisher=Aspen Institute|isbn=978-1-61792-400-2|pages=155–|year=2011}}</ref> Pakistan found the militias volunteering to participate in the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965]] and the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]] quite useful as well.

Currently Pakistani citizens forming militias from the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province are participating in the [[War in North-West Pakistan|'war on terror']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/timeline/index.html |title=Pakistan Timeline 2012 |publisher=Satp.org |access-date=2012-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/pakistan/2009/03/14/200108/Taliban-kill.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612113229/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/pakistan/2009/03/14/200108/Taliban-kill.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |title=Taliban kill, then behead three Pakistan tribesmen |newspaper=The China Post |date=2009-03-14 |access-date=2012-08-06}}</ref>

=== Philippines ===
In the eighteenth century, the Philippines was a Spanish colony and the Spanish authorities sought to augment the strength of the regular military force of their colony by forming a number of militias.  The most notable of these was the [[Luzon Grenadiers]], which was of such exceptional quality that it was converted into a regular unit.  Another noteworthy militia was the [[Royal University Militias]], which was the forerunner of the [[University of Santo Tomas Golden Corps of Cadets|University of Santo Tomas ROTC unit]].  The [[University of Santo Tomas]] along with the [[University of the Philippines Diliman]] and the [[University of the East]] have the best [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Philippines)|Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs]] in the country. 

After the outbreak of the [[Philippine Revolution|Revolution]], Spain's [[Governor-General of the Philippines|governor-general in the Philippines]] authorized the formation of the Manila Loyal Volunteers Battalion.

During the [[Philippine-American War]], the ''[[Sandatahan]]'' was the militia of the [[First Philippine Republic|First Republic]], and it distinguished itself in the [[Battle of Manila (1899)|Battle of Manila]] and the [[Second Battle of Caloocan]]. 

When the Philippines Islands was an American colony, the [[Philippine National Guard]] was formed to fight in France during World War I as a unit of the American Expeditionary Force, but it never served overseas.  The most famous Philippine guardsman was the first Filipino military pilot Leoncio R. Malinao, a 1920 [[University of the Philippines|U.P.]] graduate, who held the ranks of aviation cadet and lieutenant.  

At the time when the Philippines was under Japanese military administration during the Pacific War, the ''Palaak'' was formed by the Japanese army.  Also known as the Bamboo Army, because it was armed with bamboo spears, this militia existed even before the inauguration of the [[Second Philippine Republic|Second Republic]].  It was composed of all able-bodied men of [[Tonarigumi|District and Neighborhood Associations]] (DANAS), from teenagers to sexagenarians.  They were organized into platoons, companies, and battalions, and drilled along Japanese army lines.  They served as spies and informers of the Japanese, they helped arrest guerrillas and performed guard duties.  The DANAS was created in August 1942 and when fully established, the government claimed that there were 124,000 DANAS encompassing more than 1,500,000 Filipinos. 

The Cold War caused the formation of various militias such as the [[Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces]], ''Bantáy Bayan'' (Civilian Volunteer Organization), and [[Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit]].  There was also the Manila Crusaders for Peace and Democracy, and in Mindanao there were the Alamara, ''[[Alsa Masa]]'', [[Davao Death Squad]], ''[[Kuratong Baleleng]]'', Lost Command, ''Magahat Bagani'', ''Nakasaka'', and Tagum Death Squad.

=== Portugal ===
[[File:Portuguese Army, Militia (1812) - Denis Dighton.png|thumb|A Portuguese militiaman in 1812]]

[[Portugal]] has a long tradition in the use of militias for national defense. Between the 12th and 16th centuries, the municipal militias – composed of [[spear]]men, [[Pike (weapon)|pike]]men, horsemen, slingers, javelineers, archers, [[crossbow]]men and later [[arquebus]]iers – constituted the main component of the [[Portuguese Army|Portuguese Royal Army]], together with smaller military forces from the [[King of Portugal|King]], the [[Military order (monastic society)|military order]]s and the feudal lords.

After some failed previous attempts, in 1570 King [[Sebastian of Portugal]] created the ''[[Ordenanças]]'', a centrally managed military territorial organization that would replace the municipal militias and became the basis of a national army. After 60 years of foreign domination (1580–1640), the ''Ordenanças'' were reorganized for the [[Portuguese Restoration War]]. The Portuguese Army was then organized in three lines, with the 2nd and 3rd being militia forces. The ''Ordenanças'' became the 3rd line and acted both as a territorial draft organization for the 1st and 2nd line troops and as a kind of home guard for local defense. The 2nd line was made of the auxiliary troops, also militia units with the role of regional defense. In the end of the 18th century, the auxiliary troops were renamed "Militias".

In the [[Peninsular War]], the Militia regiments and the Ordenanças units had an important role in the defense of the country against the Napoleonic invader army. Still in the 19th century, the Militia units also had an important role in the [[Liberal Wars]], with the majority of those troops fighting on the side of King [[Miguel of Portugal|Miguel]]. Besides the regular militias, a number of volunteer militia units were formed to fight on both sides of the war.

With the establishment of the constitutional regime, the old Militias and ''Ordenanças'' were replaced by a single national militia force, the National Guard. However, the National Guard revealed itself an ineffective and undisciplined force. Their units became highly politicized, being involved in a number of conspiracies and coups. The National Guard having less and less confidence from the authorities, became extinct in 1847, terminating a long tradition of national militias in Portugal.

During the 20th century, some experiments with militia type forces were made. From 1911 to 1926, the Portuguese Army was organized as a militia army. Also, in 1936, the [[Estado Novo (Portugal)|''Estado Novo'']] regime created the [[Portuguese Legion (Estado Novo)|Portuguese Legion]] as a political volunteer militia, dedicated to the fight against the enemies of country and of the social order. From World War II, the Portuguese Legion assumed the responsibility for [[civil defense]], this becoming its main role during the [[Cold War]], until its extinction in 1974.

=== Russia and the Soviet Union ===
[[File:Знамя Санкт-Петербургского ополчения 1812 года.jpg|thumb|Banner of [[Saint Petersburg]] militia from [[Napoleon]]'s invasion of Russia.]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2008}}
Neither the [[Russian Empire]], nor the [[Soviet Union]] ever had an organised force that could be equated to a militia. Instead a form of organisation that predated the Russian state was used during national emergencies called [[Narodnoe Opolcheniye]] (People's Regimentation). More comparable to the English [[Leidang|Fyrd]], it was a popular voluntary joining of the local полк [[Regiment#Russian Army|polk]], or a regiment, though it had no regular established strength or officers, these usually elected from prominent local citizens. The Tsarist regime was particularly reluctant to arm and organise militia forces because of concern over a repetition of the [[Pugachev's Rebellion|Pugachev Serf Revolt]] of the late 18th century. Only in the face of the national emergency of [[French invasion of Russia|1812]] was the raising of ''opolcheniye'' "cohorts" permitted. Numbering over 223,000, loosely trained and barely equipped, these enthusiastic volunteers nevertheless provided a useful reserve for the regular army.<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Haythornthwaite|pages=37–38|title=The Russian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (1): Infantry, 1799–1814|date=23 April 1987|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=0-85045-737-8}}</ref>

Although these spontaneously created popular forces had participated in several major wars of the Russian Empire, including in combat, they were not obligated to serve for more than one year, and notably departed for home during the [[War of the Sixth Coalition|1813 campaign in Germany]]. On only one occasion, during the [[military history of the Soviet Union]], the Narodnoe Opolcheniye was incorporated into the regular forces of the [[Red Army]], notably in [[List of infantry divisions of the Soviet Union 1917–1957#Narodnoe Opolcheniye divisions|Leningrad and Moscow]].

The term [[Militsiya]] in Russia and former [[Eastern bloc|Communist Bloc]] nations was specifically used to refer to the civilian [[police force]], and should not be confused with the conventional western definition of militia. The term, as used in this context, dated from post-revolutionary Russia in late 1917 and was intended to draw a distinction between the new Soviet law enforcement agencies and the disbanded Tsarist police. In some of these states, such as  [[Ukraine]], the "militia" were renamed as "police" while in other states (e.g. [[Belarus]]) the title remains unchanged. In Russia itself the "militia' became "police" (in {{langx|ru|Полиция}}, ''Politsiya'') in March 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://georgianjournal.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=966:russian-police-bill-to-come-into-force-next-spring&catid=20:our-man-in-moscow&Itemid=27 |title=Russian Police Bill to Come into Force Next Spring |publisher=Georgianjournal.ge |date=2010-11-03 |access-date=2012-08-06 |archive-date=2012-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724090437/http://www.georgianjournal.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=966:russian-police-bill-to-come-into-force-next-spring&catid=20:our-man-in-moscow&Itemid=27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Sri Lanka ===
The first militias formed in [[Sri Lanka]] were by Lankan Kings, who raised militia armies for their military campaigns both within and outside the island. This was due to the reason that the Kings never maintained a standing army instead had a [[Royal Guard]] during peacetime and formed a militia in wartime.

When the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] who were the first colonial power to dominate the island raised local militias under the command of local leaders known as [[Mudaliyars]]. These militias took part in the many [[Portugal|Portuguese]] campaigns against the Lankan Kings. The Dutch continued to employ these militias but due to their unreliability tended to favor employing [[Switzerland|Swiss]] and [[Malays (ethnic group)|Malay]] [[mercenaries]] in their campaigns in the island.
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0092.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Sri Lanka Civil Security Force]] is a paramilitary militia tasked to serve as an [[auxiliary police|auxiliary]] to the [[Sri Lanka Police]].]]
The [[British Empire]] then ousted the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] from the coastal areas of the country, and sought to conquer the independent [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandyan Kingdom]]. In 1802, the British became the first foreign power to raise a regular unit of [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] with British officers, which was named the 2nd Ceylon Regiment, also known as the [[Sepoy|Sepoy Corps]]. It fought alongside British troops in the [[Kandyan Wars|Kandyan wars]]. After the [[Matale Rebellion]] led by [[Puran Appu]] in 1848, in which a number of Sinhalese recruits defected to the side of the rebels, the recruitment of Sinhalese to the British forces was temporarily halted and the Ceylon Regiments disbanded.

In 1861, the [[Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers]] were raised as a militia, but soon became a [[military reserve force]]. This became the [[Ceylon Defence Force]] in 1910 and consisted of militia units. These were the [[Colombo Town Guard]] and the [[Ceylon Garrison Artillery|Town Guard Artillery]] formed during the two world wars.

With the escalation of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]], local villagers under threat of attack were formed into localized militia to protect their families and homes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/02/17/sec02.asp |title=Security News &#124; Sundayobserver.lk – Sri Lanka |publisher=Sundayobserver.lk |date=2008-02-17 |access-date=2014-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226064150/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/02/17/sec02.asp |archive-date=2014-02-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the Sri Lankan Military these militias were formed after "massacres done by the [[LTTE]]" and in the early 1990s they were reformed as the [[Sri Lankan Home Guard]]. In 2007 the Home Guard became the [[Department of Civil Defence (Sri Lanka)|Sri Lanka Civil Security Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.lk/main_abt.asp?fname=homeguard |title=Ministry of Defence and Urban Development : Sri Lanka |publisher=Defence.lk |access-date=2014-02-22 |archive-date=2014-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307024050/http://www.defence.lk/main_abt.asp?fname=homeguard |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2008, the government called for the formation of nearly 15,000 civil defence committees at the village level for additional protection.<ref>{{cite news |title=Civil Defence Committees to protect civilians from terrorist attacks |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200802/20080214civil_defence_committees_protect_civilians.htm |publisher=Government of [[Sri Lanka]] |date=2008-02-14 |access-date=2008-03-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109125150/http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200802/20080214civil_defence_committees_protect_civilians.htm |archive-date=2009-01-09 }}</ref>

In 2004, the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] claimed have establish a voluntary "Tamil Eelam auxiliary force". According to the LTTE's then head of police, the force was to be assigned to tasks such as rehabilitation, construction, forest conservation and agriculture, but would also be used to battle the Sri Lankan military if the need arose.<ref name=Auxiliary>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040627/news/19.html |title=News |publisher=Sundaytimes.lk |access-date=2014-02-22}}</ref><ref name=Auxiliary2>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/24/stories/2004062413501300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040918115920/http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/24/stories/2004062413501300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-09-18 |title=International : LTTE recruits volunteers for auxiliary forces |date=2004-06-24 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2014-02-22}}</ref><ref name = Auxiliary3>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040627/news/2.html |title=News |publisher=Sundaytimes.lk |access-date=2014-02-22}}</ref> In early 2009 it ceased to exist with the military defeat of the [[LTTE]] at the hands of the [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]].

=== Sudan ===
{{Main|Rapid Support Forces}}
[[File:Darfur report - Page 4 Image 1.jpg|thumb|A mounted [[Janjaweed]] militiaman. The Janjaweed are a militia operating in western [[Sudan]] and eastern [[Chad]].]]
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
The [[Janjaweed]] militia consists of armed [[Arab Muslims]] fighting for the government in [[Khartoum]] against non-Arab Muslim "rebels". They are active in the [[Darfur]] region of western Sudan and also in eastern [[Chad]]. According to [[Human Rights Watch]] these partisans are responsible for abuses including war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/08/27/darfur9268.htm |title=Sudan: Janjaweed Camps Still Active &#124; Human Rights Watch |publisher=Hrw.org |date=2004-11-27 |accessdate=2022-03-16}}</ref>

=== Sweden ===
As of 2012, the [[Swedish Home Guard]] consists of 22,000 organized into 40 [[light infantry]] [[battalion]]s of 300–700 Guardsmen. These battalions are then organised into [[Company (military unit)|companies]], usually one for every [[municipality]]. The main task of the battalions is to guard vital military and civilian installations throughout the country.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In 2001, the Rapid Response units numbered around 5,000 soldiers of the total of 42,000. As of 2014, the majority of the force, 17,000 out of 22,000 soldiers will be in Rapid Response units. The decrease in number of troops comes with an equal increase in quality and modern equipment. These units are motorized and are ready to be mobilized more often, than other Home Guard units. Rapid response units have more combat tasks compared to the rest of the Home Guard, including escort duties. Some battalions located near the coast also have marine companies equipped with [[Combat Boat 90]]. A few battalions have recently set up 'specialized' companies to evaluate the possibility to add new abilities to the Home Guard. These are at the time of writing eight reconnaissance/intelligence companies, four [[CBRN]]-platoons, a movcon platoon, an engineer platoon, and a [[military police]] unit.

=== Switzerland ===
{{Main|Conscription in Switzerland}}

One of the best known and ancient militias is the [[Military of Switzerland|Swiss Armed Forces]]. [[Switzerland]] has long maintained, proportionally, the second largest military force in the world, with about half the proportional amount of reserve forces of the [[Israeli Defense Forces]], a militia of some 33% of the total population. The "[[militia principle]]" of public duties is central to Swiss political culture and not limited to military issues. For example, in most municipalities it is common to serve as a conscript fire fighter in the [[Compulsory Fire Service|Compulsory Fire Department]].

Article 58.1 of the April{{nbsp}}18, 1999, Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (official, French version) provides that "Switzerland has an army. It is primarily organised according to the principle of a militia." However, under the country's militia system, professional soldiers constitute about 5 percent of military personnel. In 1995, the number of soldiers was reduced to 400,000 (including reservists, amounting to some 5.6% of the population) in 2004, to 200,000 (including 80,000 reservists, or 2.5% of the population) and again in 2022, to 150,000 (including 50,000 reservists). However, the Swiss Militia continues to consist of most of the adult male population (with voluntary participation by women) who are usually issued an assault rifle which they can keep at home or store in a central arsenal and most of them have to periodically engage in combat and marksmanship training.<ref>[http://www.constitution.org/mil/swiss_rpt.pdf The Swiss Report: A special study for Western Goals Foundation], Gen. Lewis W. Walt and Maj. Gen. George S. Patton. (1983)</ref><!--Constitution Society has permission to copy--> The militia clauses of the Swiss Federal Constitution are contained in Art. 59, where it is referred to as "military service" ({{langx|de|Militärdienst}}; {{langx|fr|service militaire}}; {{langx|it|servizio militare}}; {{langx|rm|servetsch militar}}).

=== Syria ===
{{main|National Defense Force (Syria)}}

The Syrian National Defense Force was formed out of pro-government militias. They receive their salaries and their military equipment from the government<ref name="reuters">{{cite news|title=Insight: Battered by war, Syrian army creates its own replacement|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-paramilitary-insight-idUSBRE93K02R20130421|access-date=May 29, 2013|newspaper=Reuters|date=April 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Rise of the militias">{{cite news |title=Rise of the militias |author=Michael Weiss |url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentaryanalysis/rise-of-the-militias |newspaper=NOW. |date=17 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105035326/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentaryanalysis/rise-of-the-militias |archive-date=5 November 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and as of 2013 numbers around 100,000.<ref name="WSJ Alawite Force">{{cite news|title=Syria's Alawite Force Turned Tide for Assad|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323997004578639903412487708|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=26 August 2013|access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="Eco Regime digs in">{{cite news |title=Syria's civil war: The regime digs in |url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21579494-president-bashar-assad-and-his-forces-have-won-new-lease-life-regime-digs |newspaper=The Economist |date=15 June 2013 }}</ref> The force acts in an infantry role, directly fighting against rebels on the ground and running counter-insurgency operations in coordination with the army which provides them with logistical and artillery support. Unlike the [[Syrian Army]], NDF soldiers are allowed to take [[Looting|loot]] from battlefields, which can then be sold on for extra money.<ref name="reuters"/>

=== Turkey ===
{{main|Kuvayi Milliye}}

=== Vietnam ===
{{main article|Vietnam Militia and Self-Defence Force}}

The Militia and Self-Defence Force is a part of [[Vietnam People's Armed Forces]]. The militia organized in communes, wards and townships and is put under commune-level military commands.

The Self-Defence Militia has two branches: ''Dân quân tự vệ nòng cốt'' (Core Self-Defence Militia) and ''Dân quân tự vệ rộng rãi'' (General Self-Defence Militia). The term of service in the Core Militia is 4 years.<ref>[http://moj.gov.vn/vbpq/en/Lists/Vn%20bn%20php%20lut/View_Detail.aspx?ItemID=10474 Law no. 43/2009/QH12 on Militia and Self Defense Forces]</ref>

=== SFR Yugoslavia ===
{{Main|Territorial Defense Forces (Yugoslavia)}}

Beside the federal [[Yugoslav People's Army]], each [[Country|constituent republic]] of the former [[SFR Yugoslavia]] had its own ''[[Territorial Defense Forces (Yugoslavia)|Territorial Defense Forces]]''. The [[Non-Aligned Movement|Non-Aligned]] Yugoslavia was concerned about eventual aggression from any of the [[superpower]]s, especially by the [[Warsaw Pact]] after the [[Prague Spring]], so the ''Territorial Defense Forces'' were formed as an integral part of the [[total war]] [[military doctrine]] called ''Total National Defense''. Those forces corresponded to [[military reserve force]]s, [[paramilitary]] or militia, the latter, in the military meaning of the term (like [[military formation]]). It should not be confused with the Yugoslav Militia- ''[[Militia (Yugoslavia)|Milicija]]'' which was a term for a [[police]].

==See also==
* [[Condottieri]]
* [[Gendarmerie]]
* [[Historical reenactment]]
* [[Irregular military]]
* [[Milicja Obywatelska]]
* [[National Bolivarian Militia of Venezuela]]
* [[Voluntary Militia for National Security]]
* [[Violent non-state actor]]

== References ==

=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* [[Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project|ACLED]] (2015), "Real-Time Analysis of African Political Violence", January 2015, ''Conflict Trends'' 33, http://www.acleddata.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ACLED-Conflict-Trends-Report-No.-33-January-2015_updated.pdf
* Ahrem, Ariel (2011), ''Proxy Warriors: The Rise and Fall of State Sponsored Militias'', (Stanford, Stanford University Press).
* Jones, Rebecca (2008), 'State Failure and Extra-legal Justice; Vigilant groups, civil militias, and the rule of law in West Africa', ''UNHCR, New Issues in Refugee Research''. http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c23256dd.pdf
* Raleigh, Clionadh (2014), "Pragmatic and Promiscuous: Explaining the Rise of Competitive Political Militias across Africa", ''Journal of Conflict Resolution'', pp.&nbsp;1–28.
* Sumner, William Hyslop, ''An Inquiry Into the Importance of the Militia to a Free Commonwealth: In a Letter from William H. Sumner... to John Adams, Late President of the United States; with His Answer'', Cummings and Hilliard, Boston, 1823
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{Library resources box}}

* Aliyev, Huseyn (Jan. 2019) "When and How Do Militias Disband? Global Patterns of Pro-Government Militia Demobilization in Civil Wars. ''Studies in Conflict & Terrorism'' 42/8: 715–734. DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2018.1425112
* Bledsoe, Andrew S. ''Citizen-Officers: The Union and Confederate Volunteer Junior Officer Corps in the American Civil War''. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 2015. {{ISBN|978-0-8071-6070-1}}.
* Churchill, Robert H. ''To Shake Their Guns in the Tyrant's Face'',[http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=327258 University of Michigan Press] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114133939/http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=327258 |date=2012-11-14 }}, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-472-11682-9}}.
* Cooper, Jerry M. ''The rise of the National Guard: the evolution of the American militia, 1865–1920''. Studies in war, society, and the military, v. 1. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. 1998 {{ISBN|0-8032-1486-3}}
* Galvin, John R. ''The Minute Men – The First Fight: Myths and Realities of the American Revolution'', Brasseys, 1996 {{ISBN|1-57488-049-7}}
* Hay, George J. ''The Constitutional Force'', 1908 (reprinted by Ray Westlake Military Books, 1987). {{ISBN|0-9508530-7-0}}.
* Smith, Joshua M. "The Yankee Soldier's Might: The District of Maine and the Reputation of the Massachusetts Militia, 1800–1812," in ''New England Quarterly'' LXXXIV no. 2, pp.&nbsp;234–264, 2011.
* Whisker, James B. ''The Rise and Decline of the American Militia System'', Susquehanna University Press, 1999 {{ISBN|0-945636-92-X}}

{{Military branches | state = expanded}}
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[[Category:Militias| ]]
[[Category:Rebel militia groups]]
[[Category:Gun politics]]
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