THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504270332
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
A top official of Virginia's only state-sanctioned militia says his group has no connection to self-styled paramilitary militias like the one under investigation in the Oklahoma City bombing.
The 500-member Virginia Defense Force is prohibited from carrying weapons, even for training, except during an emergency and with specific approval from the governor, said Col. Carl Garrison of Richmond.
The force is made of volunteers who receive no pay and buy their uniforms, Garrison said.
``We are not allowed to train with weapons. We don't have any weapons,'' he said.
The bombing did prompt one man to question the group's affiliation.
``We got a call (Monday) from a grandfather whose grandson had just joined, concerned about whether we were a militia-type operation,'' Garrison said. ``Obviously we are not.''
The Virginia Defense Force was formed in 1984 to assist the Virginia Army National Guard in crisis mobilization, including control of armories and safeguarding state and federal property; assisting in the processing of National Guard personnel and units; and supporting National Guard families as necessary.
During disasters it would assist in operating the state's donations control center and augment National Guard units.
It has four brigades, headquartered in Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke and Manassas. The group trains monthly and semi-annually in larger groups, concentrating on such specialities as emergency medical assistance and operating during a disaster.
During Desert Storm operations, the Virginia Defense Force took control of three armories left vacant when National Guard units.
It provided free legal services to National Guard members' families and assisted family support groups.
The force welcomes any questions about its makeup, and about any facet of its operations. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
MILITIAS
Twenty-five states charter militia organizations working as public
service auxiliaries to public law enforcement, according to the
National State Guard Association:
Alabama State Defense Force
Alaska Defense Force
California Military Reserve
Georgia Defense Force
Indiana National Guard Reserve
Louisiana State Guard
Maryland Defense Force
Massachusetts Military Reserve
Michigan Emergency Volunteers
Mississippi State Guard
North Carolina State Defense Militia
Nevada National Guard Reserve
New Mexico Defense Force
New York Guard
Ohio Military Reserve
Oregon Defense Force
Puerto Rico State Guard
Rhode Island State Defense Force
South Carolina State Guard
Tennessee Defense Force
Texas State Guard
Utah State Defense Force
Vermont State Guard
Virginia Defense Force
Washington State Guard
by CNB