# Do political subdivisions in other countries have their own armed forces, as with US states? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 9, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056 "2010-11-09T17:20:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/41 "2010-11-10T05:33:23Z")
Does the Texas State Guard have combat units, or are they just basically a civilian support force? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/42 "2010-11-10T07:05:32Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Oh, and just to round it out - in those provinces where the RCMP acts as the provincial police force, they also enforce provincial laws, such as highway traffic laws. True enough. If you think that Mounties ride horses and wear red uniforms, you’ll be in for a shock when a white Crown Victoria pulls you over and a green-shirted Mountie asks you for your license, registration, and insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/43 "2010-11-10T12:10:57Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Do they have firearms? I believe they parade with rifles with fixed bayonets. (see [image 3](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8168894.stm) here). I expect they do some target practice but I very much doubt they take live ammunition anywhere off the estate. Another private armed body (it’s run as a club, with entry by invitation) in Scotland is the [Royal Company of Archers](http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/Ceremonialbodies/RoyalCompanyofArchers.aspx), who have various ceremonial duties but also take their archery reasonably seriously, and are building new indoor practice butts behind their clubhouse at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![storyguide3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@storyguide3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyguide3)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/44 "2010-11-10T13:09:49Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > All of them do. In addition to municipal forces, the provinces other than Ontario and Quebec contract with the federal government for the services of the RCMP. When the RCMP carries out its duties under those contracts, it acts as a provincial police force. There is a third situation possible. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is a provincial force as well, but for various reasons it does not currently have full jurisdiction across the entire province. The RCMP is contracted to police where the RNC is not currently located. This means the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has 2 provincial police forces. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/45 "2010-11-10T13:15:19Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Taking [Texas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Military_Forces) as an example, Governor Rick Perry is the commander in chief of military forces comprising not only the Army and Air Force National Guard, but also Texas’s own [State Guard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_defense_force) entirely distinct from federal military authority. > > I can’t help but wonder if the US is unique in allowing for this kind of arrangement, and if non-Americans would find it surprising or perplexing. Thoughts? If I’m not mistaken, the state of Texas also has a State Police Department, although that might not be its official name, as well as the Texas Rangers. I believe the Governor has control of the Rangers, or can assign them to take over investigations, but I’ve never been positive about the State Police.\* \*I don’t mean the Highway Patrol. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/46 "2010-11-10T13:19:25Z")
It’s the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/47 "2010-11-10T13:23:17Z")
Well, I’m way out of date; The Texas State Police were disbanded long ago; I don’t know why I thought they were still in force. Texas is a law enforcement intensive state is my only defense. I missed **Koxinga** ’s post; sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/48 "2010-11-10T14:10:17Z")
> [@storyguide3](#): > > There is a third situation possible. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is a provincial force as well, but for various reasons it does not currently have full jurisdiction across the entire province. The RCMP is contracted to police where the RNC is not currently located. This means the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has 2 provincial police forces. good point - I’d forgotten that the RNC operates in more than just St John’s but not the whole province. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/49 "2010-11-10T14:19:44Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > I thought that referred to millions of anonymous gun owners and that “ **well-regulated** ” was just a serving suggestion. > . The Meaning of the Words in the Second Amendment “the idea that a well-regulated militia was synonymous with one that was **thoroughly trained and disciplined, and as a result, well-functioning.** ” > **[Meaning of the words in the Second Amendment](https://guncite.com/gc2ndmea.html)** > > The meaning of the words, militia, well regulated, the people, to keep and bear, and arms are discussed. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/50 "2010-11-10T14:39:48Z")
President Kennedy also federalized units of the Mississippi National Guard during the crisis over the integration of “Ole Miss” (the U. of Miss.) in September and october 1962: [Ole Miss riot of 1962 - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Miss_riot_of_1962). JFK’s speech at the time, explaining his decision: [John F. Kennedy - The Presidency](http://networker.www3.50megs.com/jfk18.html). He did the same with the Alabama National Guard during his confrontation with Gov. George Wallace in June 1963: [Stand in the Schoolhouse Door - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_in_the_Schoolhouse_Door). _Perpich v. Department of Defense_ is an important case establishing that, pursuant to Federal law, the Pentagon can send National Guard units overseas even if the state’s governor objects: [Perpich v. Department of Defense - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpich_v._Department_of_Defense). ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/51 "2010-11-10T14:46:11Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > **National Guard** units are state military organizations which are under the command of the governor or territorial executive and overseen, trained and administered by the National Guard Bureau of the DoD. They only become federal troops when subject to a federalization order by the president. > > **National Guard units are entirely separate from state defense forces** , like the above-mentioned Texas State Guard, or the New York Naval Militia, which are not subject to federalization. Not all states maintain military units separate from their National Guard units. 1. Nearly every American citizen is a member of the: “ **militia** ”. Today, it would necessarily include male, female, white, black. "“_Who are the Militia? They consist now of the whole people, except for a few public officers_.” (George Mason ) “\*Second Militia Act of 1792… passed May 8, 1792, provided for the organization of the **state militias**. It conscripted \*\*EVERY “free able-bodied white male citizen” between the ages of 18 and 45 \*\*into a local **militia** company overseen by the state. Militia members were required to arm themselves at their own expense with a musket, bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a cartridge box with 24 bullets, and a knapsack. " \* 2.”\*First Militia Act of 1792… passed May 2, 1792, provided for the authority of the President to call out the militias of the several states, " \* 3. In 1903, _“ **part** ”_ of the militia was federalized and renamed the \*\*National Guard \*\*and organized as a Reserve force for the Army. > **[Militia | United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militia#United_States)** > > The history of militia in the United States dates from the colonial era, such as in the American Revolutionary War. Based on the English system, colonial militias were drawn from the body of adult male citizens of a community, town, or local region. Because there was no standing English Army before the English Civil War, and subsequently the English Army and later the British Army had few regulars garrisoning North America, colonial militia served a vital role in local conflicts, particularly In ... ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/52 "2010-11-10T14:54:04Z")
Pakistan has the Ranger, Frontier Corps other paramilitary forces which are often times raised and controlled by the provinces. As does India. Legacy of the Raj. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056/53 "2010-11-10T14:54:08Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > . . . who is hereby ordered by their national Commander in Chief to purchase health insurance from an approved provider. (sorry, did I say that out loud?) [Moderator Note] Better not to. Let’s avoid political jabs in GQ. No warning issued. Colibri General Questions Moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-subdivisions-in-other-countries-have-their-own-armed-forces-as-with-us-states/560056.md?page=2)