{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= The Massachusetts State Defense Force |website=MSDF Official Website |image= Massachusetts State Defense Force Patch.jpg |image_size= 150px |caption= Massachusetts State Defense Force insignia. |dates=1863-1868, 1898-1899, 1905-1911, 1917-1919, 1942-1947, 1964-1976, 1981-1985?,1994–2008, 2011–2016 (currently inactive) |country= |allegiance= |branch= Army |type= State defense force |role= Military reserve force |size= |command_structure= Massachusetts Organized Militia |garrison= Hanscom Air Force Base |garrison_label= |nickname= |patron= |motto= |colors= |colors_label= |march= |mascot= |battles= |anniversaries= |decorations= |battle_honours= |commander1= Governor Maura Healey(Governor of the State of Massachusetts) |commander1_label= Civilian leadership |commander2= Brigadier General Gary Smith |commander2_label= State military leadership |notable_commanders= }} The Massachusetts State Defense Force''' (MSDF) is the currently inactive state defense force of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was inactivated in 2016 by Governor Charlie Baker. The purpose of the Massachusetts State Defense Force, when active, is to augment the Massachusetts National Guard during emergencies in the state, especially when some or all of the National Guard was deployed. The MSDF is an all-volunteer militia which reported to the State Adjutant General and was under the command of the Governor of Massachusetts. Members met for drills one weekend per month unless activated by the Governor during an emergency. The MSDF was headquartered at Milford, Massachusetts, in the same building as the Massachusetts National Guard. The director of the MSDF was appointed by The Adjutant General of Massachusetts (TAGMA). The Massachusetts State Defense Force is authorized by both the Constitution of Massachusetts and chapter 33 § 10 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The MSDF operates within Massachusetts and cannot be called into federal service. The MSDF can assist the United States National Guard forces, assumes state missions when the National Guard was deployed, provide emergency support during disasters, and assist in color guards and funeral details. History Early history The Massachusetts General Court formed the MSDF's predecessor in 1863, which served until its disbandment in 1866. During the American Civil War, Massachusetts provided multiple units to support the Union cause. The Massachusetts militia was reformed in 1898 as the Massachusetts Provisional Militia for the Spanish–American War before again being disbanded in 1899. During the course of the war, five infantry regiments and one artillery regiment from the Massachusetts Provisional Militia were deployed. 20th century By 1908, the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia consisted of two brigades and some unattached units ("total strength, 6,524"), commanded by William H. Brigham and Governor Curtis Guild, Jr. In April 1917, the General Court