Massachusetts State Defense Force

The Massachusetts State Defense Force (MASDF) is one of the State Military Forces of Massachusetts. The guard reports directly to the State Adjutant General and is under the command of the Governor. The guard is headquartered at Milford, Massachusetts, in the same building as the National Guard. The director of the guard is appointed by The Adjutant General of Massachusetts (TAGMA).

The MASG is composed of volunteers who operate solely within Massachusetts and may not be called into federal service. The force has regular and auxiliary branches, with regular-branch volunteers pledging a 3-year enlistment with attendance requirements. It is headquartered in Milford, with Regional Support Battalions located in Reading, Bourne, Worcester, Westfield and Pittsfield.

The MASG assists the United States National Guard forces, assumes state missions when the National Guard is deployed, provides emergency support during disasters, and assists in color guards and funeral details.

History

Early history

The Massachusetts General Court formed the MASG's predecessor in 1863, which served until its disbandment in 1866. It was reformed in 1898 as the Massachusetts Provisional Militia for the Spanish-American War before again being disbanded in 1899.

In 1908, the Mass. Vol. Militia consisted of two brigades and some unattached units...
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