The Ohio Defense Force (ODF) is a privately organized militia in the state of Ohio. The Ohio Defense Force is not a part of the organized military of Ohio, which consists of the Ohio National Guard, the Ohio Naval Militia, and the Ohio Military Reserve.[1] Rather, it is organized, led, and staffed by private citizens.
 | |
| Abbreviation | ODF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1989 |
| Type | private non-governmental paramilitary militia |
| Location | |
| Membership | 300 (claimed by ODF) |
Key people | William B. Alexander (founder) |
The Ohio Defense Force, originally named the Southeastern Ohio Defense Force, was founded in 1989 as a non-profit corporation. In 2004, the organization decided to expand statewide and was renamed the Ohio Defense Force.[2][3]
The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the Ohio Defense Force as an anti-governmental organization.[4] TIME journalists conducted extensive interviews with members of the group during a training exercise in their piece "The Secret World of Extreme Militias".[5]
References
edit- ^ "Chapter 5923: ORGANIZED MILITIA". State of Ohio. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- ^ "History". Ohio Defense Force Official Website. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- ^ Ewinger, James (April 4, 2009). "Planned Home Guard militia training in Geauga County prompts concerns from neighbors". cleveland.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- ^ "Antigovernment Movement". Southern Poverty Law Center. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ Gellman, Barton (September 30, 2010). "The Secret World of Extreme Militias". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2023.