Michigan Naval Militia

The Michigan Naval Militia was founded in 1893.^[1] It is currently^[when?] an unorganized naval militia of the U.S. state and is recognized as a component of the militia of Michigan.^[2] The Michigan Naval Militia, along with the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force, exists as one of the military components of Michigan's organized militia.

Michigan Naval Militia sailors standing at attention, date unknown.

History

During the Spanish–American War, members of the Michigan Naval Militia, organized into the Michigan Naval Brigade, constituted the majority of the crew of USS Yosemite. During the war, Yosemite intercepted the Spanish steamer SS Antonio Lopez, beginning the Third Battle of San Juan.^[3]

The naval militia remained active through World War I, and included a University of Michigan division.^[4] During the war, members of the Michigan Naval Militia served in Naval Railway Battery crews on the Western Front.^[5]

Personnel

Naval militias are partially regulated and equipped by the federal government, and membership requirements are set in accordance with federal standards. Under 10 U.S. Code § 7854, in order to be eligible for access to "vessels, material, armament, equipment, and other facilities of the Navy and the Marine Corps available to the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve", at least 95% of members of the naval militia must also be members of the United States Navy Reserve or the United States Marine Corps Reserve.^[6]

Legal status

Naval militias of U.S. states are recognized as a component of the organized militia of the United States under 10 U.S. Code §7851.^[7] Michigan law recognizes the Michigan Naval Militia as a component of the militia of Michigan.^[2] Therefore, the Michigan Legislature has the legal authority to reactivate the naval militia.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "TBT: Michigan Naval Militia onboard the USS Yosemite". Fox Television Stations, Inc. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
2. "33.9 Naval militia; separate from land force". Michigan Legislature Official Website. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
3. Heaton, Dan. "Detroit's Navy: A brief history of the U.S. Naval Reserve and the Michigan Naval Militia in southeast Michigan" (PDF). 127th Wing Michigan Air National Guard. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
4. "Roby Burley Papers". Bentley Historical Library. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
5. Leuci, James L. "Naval Railway Battalions During the First World War". US Naval Reserve. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
6. "10 U.S. CODE § 7854 - AVAILABILITY OF MATERIAL FOR NAVAL MILITIA". Cornell University Law School - Legal Information Institute. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
7. "10 U.S. CODE § 7851 - COMPOSITION". Cornell University Law School - Legal Information Institute. Retrieved July 30, 2015.