From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Privately organized militia in the state of Ohio
This article is about the privately-organized militia in Ohio. For the state defense force of Ohio, see
Ohio Military Reserve .
Ohio Defense Force
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 (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.
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]
^
"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 .