251.01 Authority and name. - Florida Statutes

251.01 Authority and name.

   (1) Whenever any part of the National Guard of this state is in active federal service, the Governor is hereby authorized to organize and maintain, within this state during such period, under such regulations as the Secretary of Defense of the United States may prescribe for discipline in training, such military forces as the Governor may deem necessary to assist the civil authorities in maintaining law and order. Such forces shall be composed of officers commissioned or assigned, and such able-bodied citizens of the state as shall volunteer for service therein, supplemented, if necessary, by personnel of the Florida National Guard enrolled by draft or otherwise, as provided by law. Such forces shall be additional to and distinct from the National Guard and shall be known as the Florida State Defense Force. Such forces shall be uniformed.

   (2) The Governor is authorized to maintain a Florida State Defense Force reserve cadre of officers and noncommissioned officers, said officers to be a trained nucleus for such time as the Florida State Defense Force may be activated. Said officers shall be volunteers and shall serve with no pay or allowances except when called to active duty.

History. s. 1, ch. 20214, 1941; s. 1, ch. 65-186; s. 84, ch. 73-333; s. 8, ch. 92-86.