Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 5, 1995 TAG: 9508070037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Since early in Brown's campaign, allegations have been sprouting up that Brown once belonged to a militia.
Well, he did, Brown said recently. But it wasn't the conspiracy-spouting, fertilizer-stockpiling, revolution-advocating brand.
Instead, Brown served for three years in the State Defense Force, the General Assembly-sanctioned unarmed volunteer citizen militia that takes over the duties of the National Guard in times of war.
Brown's glad to talk about his service in the state militia, but confusion over this little-known branch of the state government still hounds him.
"It's frustrating," the Republican candidate said. "I was proud to have served in the as a volunteer with the the state Department of Military Affairs for the commonwealth of Virginia. It was very legitimate.
The State Defense Force "is getting thrown in the pot with these [militia] idiots. I'm sure a lot of people are getting it confused. ... They get half the story and go off half-cocked and that causes a lot of problems.
"But you've got doctors, lawyers, very concerned citizens, volunteering in it; and it's organized, directed and funded by the General Assembly."
Brown joined the State Defense Force in 1985, a year after it was established by the General Assembly. Entering with the rank of captain, he organized and directed the Defense Force's aviation brigade for Southwest Virginia.
Though he's not a pilot himself, Brown recruited and supervised pilots who would volunteer their own aircraft to transport troops and supplies.
Within a couple years after Brown joined, the ranks of the State Defense Force grew to more than 4,000 statewide, prompting criticism from General Assembly delegates who said the force was filled with military-wannabes who were playing army and handing out ranks like candy.
"At one time, we had more generals than the U.S. Army had. It really got out of hand," said Col. Edward Ruslander, one of the Defense Force's few paid staffers.
In 1989, the General Assembly placed the force under the direct oversight of the National Guard, which cut the Defense Force's membership by 75 percent.
Brown survived the restructuring but left the force in 1990 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
These days, the State Defense Force has about 480 members statewide.
The average age of members hovers between 45 and 50 and they usually are veterans of the armed forces. People between the ages of 18 and 25 can't be admitted unless they have been rejected for duty in the National Guard or other armed forces for not meeting physical requirements.
Volunteers train once a month at National Guard armories and pay for their own meals and expenses. They also buy their own uniforms - either combat fatigues or the State Defense Force's own olive drab uniform.
During the Persian Gulf War, Defense Force volunteers took over control of three National Guard armories in Western Virginia and staffed and operated them for the duration of the war.
Though its primary duty is to pinch hit for the Guard, the State Defense Force also works crowd control at state festivals and has helped police, fire and rescue officials during disasters.
by CNB