OVM Militia Bylaws
The Ohio Valley Minutemen Citizen's Volunteer Militia is a lawful, unorganized citizen’s Volunteer
Militia as authorized by the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Constitutions of
the Several States. And, as Defined in the Geneva Conventions (Article 4, Section 2)
Our Bylaws are as follows.
United States Constitution:
Second Amendment:
“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
United States Code:
TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 13
§311. Militia: composition and classes
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of
age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or
who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of
female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b) The classes of the militia are—
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia;
and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not
members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.
PURPOSE:
The PURPOSE of these by-laws is to explain the mission, goals and organizational
structure of the Ohio Valley Minutemen Citizen's Volunteer Militia.
1. MISSION: To support the States Organized Militias.
To defend the Constitution of the Several States and the Constitution of the United States
of America. To uphold and to defend the Bill of Rights, seen as unalienable, and given by
our Creator to free men that they may remain free.
To support the County Sheriff's Departments and State Police. To insure that all citizens--
regardless of race, color, religion, sex, physical characteristics, or national origin-- shall
have the right and opportunity to due process of the law as established and guaranteed by
the Great Document which guides this Great Nation.
2. GOALS: It will be the goals of the Ohio Valley Minutemen to:
a) PRESENT itself to the citizens of this region as a well-regulated, well-trained, well equipped,
and knowledgeable Militia consisting of ordinary citizens rather than
professionals.
b) ASSIST citizens in the event of national disaster, civil defense, and in the defense of
self and state.
c) ESTABLISH a cohesive leadership structure, able to instruct and task as needs arise.
d) TRAIN its membership in the many disciplines of disaster preparedness and firearms
proficiency.
e) EDUCATE its members on the Rights and Duties of a Citizen, according to The
Constitution, and Bill of Rights. And to acknowledge how America's early history reveals
an inevitable conflict between any tyrannical government and man's innate desire to be
free.
f) INFORM its members of local, national, and global events which would imperil the
Constitution and impact the direction of the country and their families.
g) ENCOURAGE its members to stand against all tyranny which threatens to undermine
our form of government and these United States of America.
h) UPHOLD the pure constitutional rule of law whereby all citizens have the right to
trial by a jury of their peers in a court of law.
3. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
In order to achieve the goals listed above, a Leadership Staff has been created. All
elements of the Militia will be subordinate to the Leadership Staff. The general
membership will be organized as A and B teams. The Unit Staff will assign the leaders of
these teams. Each team leader will be responsible for assigning rank and duties within
their team. The mission of each team is to accomplish the goals of the Militia as a whole.
Upon taking the oath, each member will be assigned a position in a team.
3.1 The Leadership Staff:
The Unit staff is made up of officers selected and appointed by the existing staff:
The Commander will hold the rank of Captain.
The Executive Officer will hold the rank of First Lieutenant.
The Communication, Medical, Intelligence, Operations, Engineering and Weapons NCO
will hold the rank of Senior _______ Sergeant.
The Group Morale Officer (if appointed) will hold the title of Chaplain
The NCOIC will hold the title of First Sergeant. (Top)
3.2 Field Officers:
All Field officer Positions will be assigned according to the task performed and/or
experience.
3.3 Enlisted Personnel:
Ranks will be assigned according to Doc. OVM 3.3
Specialists can hold additional titles (Medic, Scout, Engineer)
3.4 Authority:
Leaders and Officers elected and appointed to command and support positions are given
their authority by you. As a member, you are expected to support and follow the orders
and directives of the Chain of Command. Trust and teamwork are the cornerstones of our
organization. If you feel compelled to disobey or openly reject the Chain of Command,
you should immediately withdraw from the Militia, without prejudice. Provision is made
to remove members who discredit the Militia though a hearing (Juris Minor) by the Chain
of Command and/or upon appeal, a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing.
Violation of these bylaws or our Code of Conduct will result in automatic removal with
out right of appeal.
4. MEMBERSHIP:
Membership in the Ohio Valley Minutemen Unit shall be open to any citizen over the age
of 18 regardless of sex, race, and religion, physical characteristic or national origin.
Membership is voluntary, and will last until the member withdraws or is dismissed by
proper authority.
All Militia members will be required to provide information about his/her self in order to
best utilize their experience and background. Information provided will be kept
confidential and will be used only for the functioning of the Unit.
For the protection of the Community and the Militia, members are forbidden to
possess, use or carry drugs or alcohol on any Unit events or activities. Membership is
not open to anyone with a felony criminal conviction, any misdemeanor conviction
related to domestic violence, or any involuntary mental health commitment. Members
must be willing and able to submit to a background check and/or drug test at the
discretion of the Leadership Staff and their immediate Team Leader.
These terms are binding and non-negotiable upon application for membership. Any
falsification will be considered breach of trust and grounds for immediate dismissal
from the Ohio Valley Minutemen Militia.
4.1 Types of Membership:
a) Member-- An active participant in the OVM Militia activities, abiding by the rules
and regulations of the Militia, and having completed the 60-day probationary period,
providing information required by the Leadership Staff, signed and taken the oath.
Members may be issued an ID card with their name, rank and ID number on it. Militia or
Team patch(es) will also be provided.
b) Supporter -- An active supporter who chooses to remain anonymous. A supporter
does not take the oath, has no voting rights, and has no say in the running of the OVM
Militia.
4.2 Withdraw/Dismissal:
A member may voluntarily withdraw his or her membership in the Militia at any time by
notifying the Leadership Staff, in writing, of their decision. Following the 60-day
probationary period, a member may be dismissed from membership after a formal
hearing by the Chain of Command. Two-thirds vote from the Leadership Staff will be
required to remove a member under these circumstances.
4.3 Conduct:
Group members are highly encouraged to live exemplary lives as outlined in the
OVM Militia Code of Conduct and the Laws of their State of Residence. Blatant violation
of the law places the legitimacy of the Ohio Valley Minutemen at risk. Just one member
can jeopardize the Unit by illegal acts when those wishing to discredit us look for such
opportunity.
Therefore, in order to protect the body as a whole, Militia members will be subject to a
Juris Minor made up of the Leadership Staff convened to hear the facts of the case before
it. Members may stand trial for such acts that would discredit the Ohio Valley
Minutemen Unit or place the Militia at risk. The accused will stand in his/her own
defense. No charge will be brought to court minor unless supported by at least two
witnesses. The maximum penalty for any offense will be permanent dismissal from the
Militia. After counsel the convened Leadership Staff will vote on action.
Any Militia members may voluntarily withdraw from the Militia at any time without
prejudice for conscience sake. In such case, all issued equipment must be returned. It
shall also be the right of each Militia member to appeal to authority within the direct
chain of command regarding grievances. In every case however, the Militia member shall
follow the order or directive first and make his appeal afterward.
4.4 Recruitment:
Under no circumstances are Militia members to discredit the Ohio Valley Minutemen
Militia by pressuring citizens to join or to contribute material or financial support. All
material and financial contributions will be accepted with the clear understanding that the
unalienable rights of all will be protected without qualification.
5. OATH OF THE MILITIA MEMBER:
All Militia members will be required to take the oath and sign it, to uphold the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitutions of the Several States and to
protect it from all enemies.
5.1 Oath for Non-commissioned Members:
"I _____________ do solemnly swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitutions of the Several States. I hereby take an oath of service
to the Ohio Valley Minutemen Militia and all lawful Citizens of the United States of
America. I will obey the Leaders over me as far as my conscience will allow. If needed, I
will fight with courage and honor, and show mercy when victorious. I will never
surrender for as long as I have the means to resist. I will to the best of my ability withhold
all information from any enemy no matter what may occur. I will never act in a way that
would bring disgrace upon myself, this country, or the Militia. I understand I take this
position voluntarily and am free to leave at anytime. This I do pledge, under God, and
upon my honor."
5.2 For Commissioned Officers:
"I, (Name), having been appointed an officer in the Ohio Valley Minutemen Militia, in
the grade of (rank), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of
the United States and the Constitutions of the Several States against all enemies, both
foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will take
this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I
will willing and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to
enter; So Help Me God."
6. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT:
As a member of the OVM CVM, you are encouraged to procure and maintain items of
uniform and equipment. When in uniform, you represent the Unit. Therefore your
uniform will be clean, buttons buttoned, shirts tucked in, and patches sewn on properly.
Proper impression is very important to the community.
The primary weapon of a Militia member will be the rifle. It will be required of all Militia
members not otherwise opposed for conscience sake, to have his own rifle, ammunition,
and gear.
Group members are required to remain proficient in the maintenance and safe operation
of the rifle and to have a minimum of 200 rounds of ammunition and 75 rounds per
sidearm available at all times. The Militia member's knapsack shall consist of necessary
items to be determined, based on the member's assignment. Thus outfitted, the knapsack
will be kept available at all times for rapid deployment by the Militia member. If you are
restricted to limited funds, set your priority on proper uniforms and attire rather than
exotic military hardware. A prepared kit is more credible than a lot of neat toys.
Group members WILL be expected to obey all Constitutional state and local firearms
laws. Unit members are normally expected to carry military style firearms. Only in self-defense
will a Militia member discharge his weapon. As with members of organized
military units on leave, Militia members are expected to abide by all hunting rules and
regulations pertaining to the use of firearms for that purpose.
7. COMMUNICATION:
In the case of a natural or man made disaster, the role of communication is critical.
Therefore, the Citizen Band radio and ham radio will be the principal forms of
communication for the OVM Militia. Persons taking part in emergency communications
should have a valid ham radio operator license. Members should also attempt to procure
usable GMRS/FRS radios and/or 2 meter radios for local communications.
8. ASSEMBLY MEETINGS:
Periodic musters and assemblies are necessary and shall be called to achieve the overall
goals of the OVM CVM. Members must discipline themselves to set aside time each
month, for assembly. Militia members will be notified of actual assembly times and
places. While it is intended that the Militia intrude as little as possible in the private lives
of its members, it is also clear that individual members are volunteers and must be ready
to meet periodically and to deploy as the need arises. Our regular muster occurs on the
3rd Saturday of each month, at 9am EST. These may take place at a members home,
public park, or local target range. Locations will be announced at least 2 weeks in
advance.
9. JUSTIFICATION:
American patriots took up arms against the British and began the revolution only when
— and precisely because — the British attempted to disarm them.
Our country sprang into being and is founded on the principle of ordinary citizens like
you and me arming and organizing ourselves to fight tyranny.
If you become convinced that the federal government is bent on systematic violations of
our personal liberties, it is your moral duty and obligation to join with others so
convinced to restore true liberty for all Americans.
The Free Militia is an independent, organized group of private citizens who are armed
and ready to fight for our Constitutional rights and liberties.
Your right to keep and bear arms is being systematically infringed by regulation,
licensing, registration, and prohibition of many kinds of firearms.
Your property rights are systematically violated by regulation, licensing, registration, and
confiscatory taxation.
The very acts by the government that will cause the Free Militia to rise up will also incite
the general public to resist and seek skilled leadership.
AFFILIATIONS:
We are not affiliated with any Political or Religious Organizations
We are allied with many other Militia units, and have formal Mutual Defense Agreements
with eight other Militias in WV,KY, OH, PA and IN.
*** Contact info available on request upon full membership.
Code of Conduct for OVM Militia Members
2.0 DUTY AND CODE OF CONDUCT
1. I am a citizen of the United States serving in an unorganized citizen's Militia. I am
prepared to give my life to guard and protect my homeland, my community, our
common law rights, liberties and our way of life. This service is a duty of my
citizenship.
2. I will keep and maintain the uniform (if required), equipment, and weaponry
necessary to perform the duties prescribed for the OVM CVM and will be prepared
to mobilize quickly.
3. I will never forget that I am a citizen of my State of Residence, and through her,
of these United States. I am responsible for my actions and dedicated to the
principles that made this country free. I will strive to lead an exemplary life and
never, by action or statement, bring discredit to the Militia, my country, or my fellow
Countrymen.
4. In all cases, I shall endeavor to inform and urge all citizens to return to the
Constitutional Republic our forefathers envisioned.
5. I will stand by or come to the aid of my brothers of the Militia with whatever
means necessary and without question or concern for my own well-being to ensure
due process of law as stated in the Constitution.
6. I will never misuse my position in the Militia for financial or personal gain, nor will
I engage in any activity subversive to the Militia.
7. I will never surrender of my own free will. If, in command, I will never surrender
the members of my command while they have the means to resist.
8. If am captured, I will continue to resist by all means possible. I will make every
effort to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
9. Should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only my name, rank, and
date of birth. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to the United States
and its citizens or harmful to their continued struggle for liberty and freedom.
10. Should I become a prisoner of war, I will keep my faith with my fellow prisoners,
and accept no favors from the enemy. I will give no information nor take part in any
action that might be harmful to my comrades. If I am a senior, I will take command.
If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will support them
in every way.
11. I will strive to abide by the laws of my Country and State.
12. I will remain loyal to the Militia, even upon separation and bring no harm to it
through word or deed.
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