New Jersey Naval Militia

The New Jersey Naval Militia
New Jersey Naval Militia Insignia
Active	1895–1963, 1999–2002
Country	United States
Allegiance	State of New Jersey
Branch	Navy
Type	Naval militia
Role	Military reserve force
Part of	New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Website	http://www.state.nj.us/military/naval/
Commanders
Civilian Leadership	Governor of New Jersey

The New Jersey Naval Militia (NJNM) was the official naval militia of the state of New Jersey. As a portion of the New Jersey organized militia, it existed as an entity from 1895 to 1963 and again from 1999 to 2002. As a naval militia, the NJNM was partially regulated and equipped by the federal government but served as a reserve force which falls under control of the State of New Jersey. Naval militias are authorized and regulated by federal law under Title 32 of the United States Code. New Jersey law also allows for the state to maintain a naval militia. As it falls under state jurisdiction, the Governor of New Jersey would be the Commander-in-chief of the NJNM.

The New Jersey Naval Militia, originally called the Naval Reserve of New Jersey, was founded in 1895, with the purpose of protecting the coast, harbors, and waterfront property. After the passage of the Federal Naval Reserve Law of 1916, the name was changed to the Naval Militia of New Jersey.

The NJNM first saw combat during the Spanish–American War, and also fought in the World War I and World War II. After reaching a peak strength of 3,590 during the Korean Conflict, the NJNM was absorbed by the United States Naval Reserve in 1963, after which it ceased to exist as an independent organization.

In 1999, the NJNM was reorganized by Governor Christine Todd-Whitman to better integrate the NJNM with the New Jersey State Guard.

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the NJNM was activated to assist in recovery, including a deployment of the NJNM's Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Chaplain Corps to Staten Island, and the ferrying of evidence collected from Ground Zero to Manhattan's Chelsea Pier and Staten Island. The NJNM also took part in Operation Noble Eagle.

As a naval militia, the NJNM was responsible for aiding in homeland security operations and disaster recovery. Missions conducted by the NJNM between September 11, 2001, and 2002 include: