Naval Militia

 By federal law, the Naval Militia consists of the Naval Militia of the various states.  Property of the Department of the Navy, including vessels and armament, may be issued to the various state Naval Militia if at least 95% of the members of the unit receiving the property are members of the US Navy Reserve or the US Marine Corps Reserve and the organization, administration, and training of the Naval Militia conform to US Navy standards.  The Naval Militia traces its history back to the Revolutionary War, when various colonies formed their own Navies.  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts reactivated its Naval Militia during the War of 1812.  When the Spanish-American War started in 1898, fifteen States established Naval Militia.  These were used to keep order on the waterfront and to defend coastal areas.  In Cuban waters, the Naval Militia performed various scouting and blockading missions in support of the US Navy.  During World War I, though, the US Navy utilized the Naval Militia more as a source of trained manpower than as independent units to be mobilized.  Naval Militia personnel were disbursed throughout the Fleet, losing their unique identity.  Currently, seven states have active Naval Militia: Alaska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.  Five states have Naval Militia that are inactive: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and Maryland.  Personnel in the various Naval Militia may be enlisted or commissioned into the US Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard at the rate or rank for which they are qualified.