Dixie Militia
From Usgs
The Dixie Militia, often commonly referred to as the Dixie Regional Guard, is the National Guard force charged with the defense of the superregion of Dixie. By law, the Dixie Militia is activated and commanded by the Governor, unless called up to Federal duty by the President. The Dixie Militia includes ground, air, and seaborne defense and patrol assets.
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Composition
The Dixie Militia is unique among the regional guards of other states and regions because it is composed of both regular National Guard units, as well as Organized and Unorganized Militia. Dixie law defines a member of the unorganized militia as any person over the age of 16 capable of bearing arms in the defense of the region. Most members of the Dixie Militia who are not regular National Guard soldiers are volunteers, donating their time to the common defense, as well as providing much of their own arms and equipment.
Naval Militia
Once the smallest arm of the small Dixie Militia, the Naval Militia has grown lately to include several large warships including the former U.S. battleship "Alabama". The battleship is classified as a "large coastal patrol craft" in the Naval Militia.
Parades and Reviews
Dixie law provides for an "annual encampment" of the regional militia, which in recent years has evolved into an annual parade and review. In 2010 and 2011 this review was held in Sarasota, Florida. During the 2011 Militia Review, a bomb exploded on the parade route, killing several militia volunteers and one spectator. The review was subsequently canceled.
Laws and Controversy
Protests against the Dixie Militia, usually during the review parades, are generally small although the protesters can become extremely vocal in their objections. Most controversy stems around the assertion that the Dixie Militia is "racist", despite the active participation of ethnic minorities in the National Guard and the volunteer militia units. Such allegations in part stem from the structure and uniforms of the militia being similar to that of the former Confederate States Army, as well as Governor Halfhyde's reverence for traditional Southern culture.
Other objections are against laws written that forbid "insults or disparaging comments" about the Dixie Militia or its members while in uniform or on other official duty. In 2010, protesters were arrested and charged under these laws after causing a disturbance during the militia review in Sarasota.
