just a clarification many states have state militias.Mass is one and RI is another there are also the texas and michigan.the constitution of mass states that the militia must bring arms, kit. canteen, powder, ect. the NG is an ofsshoot of the volunteer units,coming out of the civil war.annd it was 1906 organized.in WW2 state militias were called up to protect the states. as the NG went of to war and the Ng in 1930 became a component of the army reserve.check out the NG armory and see ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. 