New Jersey Naval Militia

The New Jersey Naval Militia (NJNM) is the inactive naval militia of the state of New Jersey. As a portion of the New Jersey organized militia, it existed as an active entity from 1895 to 1963 and again from 1999 to 2002.[1] The Naval Militia was stood down by the state in 2002 due to a concerns about training, accession processes, security clearances, background checks, rank criteria, medical standards, physical fitness criteria, vessel fitness, and command qualifications.[2]

The New Jersey Naval Militia
New Jersey Naval Militia Insignia
Active1895–1963, 1999–2002
Country United States
Allegiance State of New Jersey
TypeNaval militia
RoleMilitary reserve force
Part ofNew Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Websitehttp://www.state.nj.us/military/naval/
Commanders
Civilian LeadershipGovernor of New Jersey

Since 2002, a group of dedicated volunteers and former members have been lobbying to have the New Jersey Naval Militia funded and returned to duty.[3] In support of the NJ Naval Militia's return, the non-profit New Jersey Naval Militia Foundation[4] was established.

After 2002, the duties performed by the Naval Militia were absorbed by civilian agencies, volunteer groups, the New Jersey National Guard, and law enforcement agencies on the local, state, and federal level.[5] In 2005, the New Jersey Adjutant General reported to the state legislature that the Naval Militia no longer had a defined mission to justify support or funding from the state.[5] In March 2005, the New Jersey State Police issued a memorandum which cited issues that would preclude their support for the NJNM.[6]

As a naval militia, the NJNM was partially regulated and can be equipped by the federal government, but serves as a reserve force which falls under control of the State of New Jersey. Naval militias are authorized and regulated by federal law under Title 32 of the United States Code.[7] New Jersey law also allows for the state to maintain a naval militia.[8] As it falls under state jurisdiction, the Governor of New Jersey is the Commander-in-chief of the NJNM.

History

The New Jersey Naval Militia was originally called the Naval Reserve of New Jersey. Founded in 1895, with the purpose of protecting the coast, harbors, and waterfront property. After the passage of the Federal Naval Reserve Law of 1916, the name was changed to the Naval Militia of New Jersey.[1] The NJNM first saw combat during the Spanish–American War, and also fought in the World War I and World War II. After reaching a peak strength of 3,590 during the Korean War, the NJNM was absorbed by the United States Naval Reserve in 1963, after which it ceased to exist as an independent organization.[1]

In 1999, the NJNM was reorganized by Governor Christine Todd-Whitman to better integrate the NJNM with the New Jersey State Guard.[9]

In April 2002, the NJNM was stood down by the Adjutant General due to organizational and personnel issues.[1]

Notable Missions Post-9/11

After the attacks of September 11, 2001 the NJNM was called to State Active Duty (SAD) to assist in recovery, including a deployment of the NJNM's Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Chaplain Corps to Staten Island, and the ferrying of evidence collected from Ground Zero to Manhattan's Chelsea Pier and Staten Island.[7] The NJNM also took part in Operation Noble Eagle.[7] As a naval militia, in the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11, the NJNM supported homeland security operations and disaster recovery. Missions conducted by the NJNM between September 11, 2001, and 2002 include:[1]

  • Waterborne security at the bases of the George Washington Bridge
  • Daylight vessel traffic control on the Hudson River, north of the George Washington Bridge
  • Standby vessel for search and rescue detail Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, NJ
  • Transport of military personnel and equipment from NJ to North Cove (Ground Zero)
  • V.I.P. transportation and security detail for Liberty State Park tribute events during October 2001
  • 192 days of water-borne security assisting naval personnel at Naval Weapons Station Earle
  • 180 days of continuous daylight patrols assisting the NJ State Police at Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Salem, NJ
  • Assisted with security in Jamaica Bay, NY during the aftermath of the crash of Flight 194, Kennedy Airport

Organization

The NJNM was originally organized at a brigade level. By 1912, the NJNM was organized into two brigades, consisting of 346 members, and different ships loaned by the federal government: the monitor U.S.S. Ajax in 1898, and the vessels USS Vixen, USS Adams, and USS Marietta.[10]

After its reactivation in 1999, the New Jersey Naval Militia was combined with the inactive New Jersey State Guard to form the New Jersey Naval Militia Joint Command which was divided into three battalions. By assigning civilian members and military reservists into a different battalions, the naval militia was able to meeting the requirement that 95% of a naval militia be composed of navy, marine, and coast guard reservists in order to receive federal aid.[11] This was accomplished by having the first battalion being composed solely of navy, marine, and coast guard reservists in order to receive access to federal support and Navy and Marine Corps facilities. The second battalion was organized as an operational Naval State Guard, composed largely of former service members and the 3rd Division providing support and auxiliary functions.[12][13] By only seeking federal recognition for the first battalion as a naval militia, and considering the other two as divisions of the New Jersey State Guard, the NJNM is potentially able to receive federal aid while also including civilian members.

Equipment

In 1999, the NJNM had maintained eight boats donated by the city of Linden, the U.S. Coast Guard and the New Jersey State Police.[14]

After deactivation in 2002, the NJ Naval Militia vessels were placed into caretaker status and maintained by volunteers in anticipation for future reactivation.[2] Volunteers continued to maintain four 23 foot Monarch aluminum patrol boats, and a former Navy 24 foot diesel powered aluminum patrol boat.[15]

See also

References
  1. "Committee Report on the New Jersey Naval Militia Joint Command to The Adjutant General: Background". The Official Website of New Jersey. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  2. https://www.nj.com/ledgerlive/2008/09/dawn_patrol_wednesday_septembe_1.html
  3. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/AR/171_I1.HTM
  4. http://www.njnavy.org
  5. https://www.nj.gov/military/publications/naval/tag.html
  6. https://www.nj.gov/military/publications/naval/attorney_general.pdf
  7. Tulak, Arthur N.; Kraft, Robert W.; Silbaugh, Don. "State Defense Forces and Homeland Security" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  8. "38A:1-3. Classes of militia". New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  9. Rieth, Glenn (5 April 2005). "The Adjutant General Report to Legislature on the NJ Naval Militia Joint Command". Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  10. Register of the Naval Militia of the States, Territories, and of the District of Columbia. U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1912. p. 33. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  11. "10 U.S. Code § 311 – Militia: Composition and Classes". law.cornell.edu/. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  12. Girardet, Wayne E. "The New Jersey Naval Militia" (PDF). The Defense Technical Information Center Website. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  13. "Committee Report on the New Jersey Naval Militia Joint Command to The Adjutant General: Organization". The Official Website of New Jersey. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  14. "Dawn patrol: Wednesday, September 10, 2008". The Star-Ledger. September 10, 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  15. "Committee Report on the New Jersey Naval Militia Joint Command to The Adjutant General: Equipment". The Official Website of New Jersey. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
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