Massachusetts now has a state militia

WORCESTER — The state’s militia was reactivated yesterday to provide emergency support in the event of natural and other disasters and to augment the work of the Massachusetts National Guard, which has been spread thin over the past few years because of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Massachusetts State Defense Force, which was mothballed several years ago, was formally re-established during ceremonies held at the Massachusetts National Guard Museum and Archives.

The defense force will be under the command of the governor and will report directly to the state adjutant general. Brig. Gen. Gary Pappas (Ret.) was named commander.

According to Brig. Gen. Paul G. Smith, assistant adjutant general for the Massachusetts National Guard, the MSDF will be primarily responsible for assisting and providing logistical support at emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and snowstorms.

He said the reactivation was necessitated, in large part, because of the National Guard’s transformation from “a strategic reserve to an operational force.” Officials said that the MSDF is a military force authorized by state law but is not subject to federal call-up. Members are volunteers, and, unlike guardsmen, receive no monetary or other compensation.