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Welcome to the website of the California State Military Reserve Welcome to t he website of the California State Military Reserve The California State Military Reserve (CA SMR) is a state military force organized under the provisions of the Title 32, United States Code, Section 109 and the California State Military Reserve Act (Sections 550 through 567, California Military and Veteran's Code.) Initally organized at the California State Guard in 1940 to provide homeland defense and internal security for the State of California during World War II, today the CA SMR is the volunteer, uniformed backup and support organization of the California Army and Air National Guard. The CA SMR is under control of the Governor through the State Military Department and The Adjutant General. Members of the CA SMR are subject to State Active Duty in the event of any state emergency such as fire, flood, earthquake, or civil disturbance and fall under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). CA SMR Soldiers provide many vital, unpaid services to local California Army and Air National Guard units. Such services include personnel and logistics support, legal, medical, chaplain services, public affairs, military history, family support and radio communications during state emergencies. Soldiers of the CA SMR are sworn members of the California State Military Forces and wear the uniform of the State of California. When called to official state active duty service, they may be paid at the same grade as their California National Guard counterparts. Today's CA SMR soldiers are the quintessential minutemen and women of old, now transformed into a modern, highly effective, citizen- led military, service and support organization. In the California State Military Reserve, as in any viable military organization, training is the "name of the game!" Service in the California State Military Reserve Commission or enlistment in the CA SMR requires applicants to be California residents, over the age of 18 and under the age of 63, in good health, and physically capable of performing missions assigned to CA SMR personnel. They must be citizens of the United States or have formally applied for such citizenship, have no criminal history, and possess the requisite military skills, civilian education and life experience to properly support the CA SMR's many critical missions. While prior military service is highly desirable, it is not a requirement for successful service with the CA SMR. A Message from the Commanding General My Fellow Californians: I want to thank you for your interest in the California State Military Reserve. It is a proud organization with a long history of sacrifice and dedication from its beginning in 1940 to the modern California State Military Reserve of today. Our motto, "Commit the Reserve" was chosen carefully because you "Commit the Reserve" when the force is fully engaged in the mission, and the reserve is committed at the decisive moment to guarantee success. I sincerely hope that you will join the California State Military Reserve and become a part of its long heritage of patriotism and service to the great State of California. Commit the Reserve! JOHN E. BIANCHI Major General, CA SMR Commanding General Frequently Asked Questions about the California State Military Reserve Q. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE? The California State Military Reserve (CA SMR) is part of the Total Force of the California State Military Forces authorized by the Constitution of the State of California, which include the California Army National Guard, the California Air National Guard, and the California Naval Militia. All SMR members take an oath of allegiance to the Governor of California and the President of the United States, as well as uphold the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of the United States. The California State Military Reserve is California's State Defense Force organized under the provisions of Title 32, United States Code, Section 109 and the California State Military Reserve Act (Sections 550 through 567, California Military and Veteran's Code.) It is the volunteer, uniformed backup and support organization of the California Army and Air National Guard. Its members are subject to call to state active duty by the Governor of the State of California and are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The easiest description of an SMR soldier is that of a non-federalized National Guard member. SMR soldiers share the same exact State mission as their National Guard counterparts, but not the Federal mission. It should be noted that Army and Air National Guard members function in their State mission capacity most of the time, only getting "federalized" during times of great emergency or war. Q. WHO CAN JOIN THE CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE? Any resident citizen over 18 years of age. The only restrictions are members of the active or reserve components of the U.S. military forces. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony or who have received dishonorable discharges from the armed forces may also be excluded. Please refer to the Eligibility section at the bottom of this page. Q. HOW MUCH OF MY TIME AM I OBLIGATED TO GIVE? Drills (meetings) are held monthly and are usually eight (8) hours on one Saturday each month. These are used for training sessions, activity coordination, and to work with your National Guard counterparts. Your particular assignment may require additional hours of work to organize your section or staff or to complete necessary projects. These additional hours may be done at home or at your leisure. Q. WILL I BE PAID FOR MY TIME AND OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES? Generally, no. However, because the California State Military Reserve is a state military force, members are subject to call to active duty by the governor. When that happens, SMR members may be paid at the same rate of pay for their rank or grade as their National Guard counterparts. There are also missions which may allow for per diem and reimbursed expenses. However, any reimbursable expenses must be approved in advanced by your chain of command. Q. WHAT UNIFORM WILL I WEAR? You will wear the standard Army Class "A" and "B" uniforms as well as the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) with distinctive state insignia designating you as a member of the California State Military Reserve. Q. DOES THE CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE FURNISH UNIFORMS? No. Currently, all officers and enlisted members are responsible for purchasing their uniforms and accessories. Q. HOW WILL MY RANK BE DETERMINED? Applicants will be evaluated and appointed or enlisted to an appropriate rank based on the authorized job position (billet) the applicant will be filling within the unit, as well as on a basis of prior service, education, civilian occupation, and other factors, in accordance to California State Military Reserve regulations. Q. ARE THESE "REAL" OFFICER AND ENLISTED RANKS? According to California State Law, California State Military Reserve officer and enlisted personnel normally rank amongst themselves. However, when on state active duty, SMR soldiers rank among state active duty members of the California National Guard, which includes both the Army and Air Divisions. As far as being "real" officers and enlisted people: All appointments, commissions, warrants, and enlistments are recognized and authorized by the Governor of the State of California through the Adjutant General of the State of California. SMR members can be called to active duty, have the legal authority to command troops, and participate in real-world missions on the behalf of the Military Department of the State of California. So, YES, State Military Reserve officers and enlisted soldiers are very much "real." Q. AM I REQUIRED TO PASS A PHYSICAL EXAM? Applicants are required to submit a "Report of Medical History" signed by their health professional as part of the application package. Q. WHAT OTHER OBLIGATIONS WOULD I HAVE? You will take an oath when you join and you are expected to live up to that oath. You are expected to make your drills, or if you cannot due to personal hardship, call your commander and explain your situation. Repeated absences without permission will result in discharge. You must wear your uniform properly and only when attending drills, other CA SMR functions, or as otherwise allowed by regulations or your commander. All rules of military courtesy will be observed while in uniform. Q. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT I'M NOT GOING TO BE PAID, BUY MY OWN UNIFORM, AND PERFORM WORK -- WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE? For the same reason that successful business people join civic clubs. They pay dues, contribute their time and talents for the benefit of their community. While the California State Military Reserve is not a civic club, it is a public service organization for the people of the state and requires an obligation on the part of its members. You will serve with people who are patriotic and have a knowing respect for military preparedness. You will be carrying on a tradition of volunteer military service dating back to the creation of the United States. Last, but most challenging, you will have the opportunity to utilize the training you have had in the military and civilian life to develop and help build the cadre of the California State Military Reserve. Q. HOW DO I BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS? Contact us at