Table Of ContentWelcome 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
