(Operational Support), 2nd Battalion (Professional Support), or 3rd Battalion (Medical Response Force). Uniforms The Massachusetts State Defense Force most recently used the Army Combat Uniform and a patrol cap. The patch which says "U.S. Army" on federal army soldiers is replaced by one which says "Massachusetts." An MSDF unit patch is worn on the left sleeve along with the American flag, and combat badges and awards earned during federal or National Guard service are allowed to be worn on the right sleeve of the MSDF uniform. Legal protection Under Massachusetts law, members of MSDF are guaranteed the same employment protections as federal reservists are provided through the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), guaranteeing that all MSDF are guaranteed a leave of absence in the event they are activated, and are guaranteed their position upon returning from deployment. See also Massachusetts Wing Civil Air Patrol Naval militia United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Further reading Taylor. "The Massachusetts Volunteer Militia." Outing Magazine'', 1891. Google books United States Adjutant-General's Office, Military Information Division. Organized militia of the United States, 1896. Google books The law for the government of the Massachusetts Militia: being chapter 367 of the acts of 1893, with amendments and additions thereto, made during the years 1893–97, inclusive. Wright & Potter Prtg. Co., 1898 George Warren Nason. History and complete roster of the Massachusetts regiments, minute men of '61 who responded to the first call of President Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861, to defend the flag and Constitution of the United States ... and biographical sketches of minute men of Massachusetts. Smith & McCance, 1910. Internet Archive References External links Official Website (2014) via Wayback Machine Massachusetts State Defense Force Application via Wayback Machine Massachusetts Guard Bibliography a reference bibliography compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History State defense forces of the United States Military in Massachusetts 2011 establishments in Massachusetts