California State Military Reserve The California State Military Reserve ( CSMR ) is the state defense force of California , and one of three branches of the Active Militia of the State . The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency when the National Guard is deployed . Its current mission is articulated in CA Military & Veteran ' s Code § 550 : " " . . . as the Governor may deem necessary to defend and for the security of this State . . . " " Organization . The California State Military Reserve is authorized as a state defense force under the provisions of the Title 32 , United States Code , Section 109 ( c ) and the California State Military Reserve Act ( codified in the California Military and Veterans Code ) . It is one of five components of the California Military Department and has legal standing as part of California ' s Active Militia . Members and Recruiting . The force consists of citizens who possess a variety of skills , and many members are veteran s of other branches of the United States Military as well as former members of the California Army and Air National Guard . All citizens between the ages of 18 and 70 who are not felons and possess a high school diploma are eligible to apply for membership , although military veterans and those with special skills which materially contribute to the CSMR ' s mission are preferred . Members are considered uncompensated State employees , although when called to emergency State active duty , they become compensated employees at the same rate as National Guard members . Unlike the Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary , the CSMR is a statutory military entity of the State with each CSMR member subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice ( UCMJ ) per CMVC § 560 . Units . As authorized by Table of Distribution and Allowances ( 15 APR 2011 ) Federal Activation . Like other state defense forces , the CSMR is not eligible for federal service . However , 10 USC 331 - 333 may grant powers to the federal government to call up the CSMR since militia is defined as both organized ( National Guard ) and unorganized under 10 USC 311 ( b ) . In addition , Article II , Section II of the United States Constitution further states : " " The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States , and of the militia of the several states , when called into the actual service of the United States " " Duties . The CSMR accomplishes its Homeland Security Mission by providing individual soldiers and airmen as well as rapid response teams to Military Assistance to Civil Authorities missions in the preparation , prevention , deterrence , preemption , defense , and mitigation of natural and man - made threats to California . Members of the CSMR are required to donate a minimum of 200 hours annually . Part of that time is spent at Unit Training Assemblies ( drills or meetings ) which are usually eight to twelve hours on one Saturday each month . These drills are used for training sessions , activity coordination , and to work with the National Guard counterparts . CSMR soldiers embedded with National Guard units for training purposes will drill the full weekend with their National Guard counterparts . Uniforms . CSMR soldiers of the Army Component wear the standard Army Class " A " and " B " uniforms as well as the Army Combat Uniform ( ACU ) and CSMR airmen of the Air Component wear the standard U . S . Air Force Service Dress uniforms , as well as the Airman Battle Uniform ( ABU ) or Battle Dress Uniform ( BDU ) . All uniforms have distinctive state insignia designating them as a member of the California State Military Reserve . All officers and enlisted members are responsible for purchasing their uniforms and accessories . This could require an investment of $ 300 or more . However , a yearly $ 125 uniform and travel allowance has been authorized for all SMR soldiers and airmen who have maintained 100 % attendance in a twelve - month period . The Center for Military History is unique within the CSMR in that it has a Distinctive Unit Insignia which is worn by members . Naval Militia . The California Military and Veterans Code also provides for a naval branch . The California Naval Militia was founded in 1891 and grew to have many ships and sailors at statewide ports , from San Diego to Eureka . It provided officers and sailors to the U . S . Navy during the Spanish - American War and World War I . The California Naval Militia was reactivated in 1976 by the Governor of California . Unlike New York and the few other states with ship - borne active naval militia units , the California Naval Militia is a small unit of military lawyers and strategists who provide advice and legal expertise in the field of military and naval matters for the benefit of California ' s state defense force . It has not been a branch of the California state militia since it was mustered into the Navy during World War I Operations . Operation Fall Blaze . A past large - scale operation of the CSMR was during Operation Fall Blaze in October / November 2007 , where over 100 citizen soldiers of the CSMR were integrated with their National Guard counterparts to assist firefighters fight the California wildfires . Operation Lightning Strike . The CSMR took an active and vital role in the 2008 Operation Lightning Strike , when Governor Schwarzenegger called on over 2 , 000 troops from the California Army National Guard , Air National Guard , and SMR to help overwhelmed fire fighters fight statewide wildfires .