Ohio Defense Force

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.

This article is about the privately-organized militia in Ohio. For the state defense force of Ohio, see Ohio Military Reserve.
Ohio Defense Force
AbbreviationODF
Formation1989
Typeprivate 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
  1. "Chapter 5923: ORGANIZED MILITIA". State of Ohio. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  2. "History". Ohio Defense Force Official Website. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  3. 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.
  4. "Antigovernment Movement". Southern Poverty Law Center. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  5. 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.
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