I would like to take some time to address the recent posting on texasmilitia.org posted under “From the Colonel” and the comments there in that are supposedly from Col Craig Burnside, even though he does not sign his full title to the posting.

Here it is in its entirety, with my comments and questions inserted in between.

Please post this far and wide so that everyone can see these people they are dealing with who call themselves “leaders” in the Militia.

Notice that the good Col does not call their organization simply “the Texas Militia”. This play on words is to imply that they are part of an actual Texas Defense Force mandated by the State. The intent is to try and give a more “official” recognition to those who do not know any better. It is intended to mislead people.

Are they these people also found HERE?

You can read from the Official State website HERE where we read:

Sec. 431.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Reserve militia" means the persons liable to serve, but not serving, in the state military forces.

(1-a) "Servicemember" has the meaning assigned by Section 161.551, Health and Safety Code.

(2) "State militia" means the state military forces and the reserve militia.

(3) "State military forces" means the Texas National Guard, the Texas State Guard, and any other active militia or military force organized under state law.

(4) "Texas National Guard" means the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 147, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1381, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

And this…..

SUBCHAPTER E. RESERVE MILITIA

Sec. 431.071. MILITARY DUTY. (a) The reserve militia is not subject to active military duty, except that the governor may call into service the portion of the reserve militia needed for the period required in case of war, insurrection, invasion or prevention of invasion, suppression of riot, tumult, or breach of peace or to aid civil officers to execute law or serve process.

(b) The governor may assign members of the reserve militia who are called into service to existing organizations of the state military forces or organize them as circumstances require.
So where exactly does the “Texas Militia Assistance and Defense Forces” fall under State Law?? Only the “reserve militia” has any legal standing.

And then under USC code you will find:

10 USC CHAPTER 13 - THE MILITIA
STATUTE-
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males…..

(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.

From the Colonel
State of The Texas Militia Assistance & Defense Forces – 2/16/2012
Gentlemen and Distinguished Ladies,

Many things are happening and at a break-neck pace. I want to take the time to address The Texas Militia Assistance & Defense Forces membership to thank all of you for your loyalty and your support of putting this organization together as it should be. Your hard work, diligence, and attention to detail is bringing together what is, and will continue to be, the shining example of what a true militia should be. Your dedication shows your love of freedom, Texas, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Texas. I am proud to be associated with such fine and outstanding group of men and women who comprise the Texas Militia Assistance and Defense Forces.
Again he uses the “Assistance and Defense Forces” Why not just the “Texas Militia” which is recognized by the constitutions and by existing law?

Does anyone else agree with Mr. Burnside’s assessment of “what a true militia should be”?? One in which you are asked to obtain a Concealed Handgun License, or a Certificate from a FEMA recognized organization as part of your membership. 

As we grow and develop as a force we naturally will, and have in recent days, take some real hits from those who are jealous and those who would trash us for their own lack of pride and professionalism. This has occurred in the form of Facebook posts and criticism by other groups claiming to be Texas Militia. One of those who so rudely trashed us and told us that he could kill any cop and associated himself with the Texas Militia is now under arrest for numerous charges including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and felony possession of a firearm! We have been maligned for too stringent of recruiting criteria and this incident is the reason we have stringent standards. Meanwhile the other militia groups, even the one calling themselves the Texas Militia, will take anyone who volunteers, and the end result is what I cited above.

Jealous? “Own lack of pride and professionalism”? The day I become jealous of an organization like this, I will resign my position and head for the hills because I will have no Pride left.

Then he ATTEMPTS to lump us into the same mess as Mr. Boney, who he is referring to here. WHO, by the way was originally a member of texasmilitia.org until he lost his job and could no longer attend trainings according to my sources. Even though, they posted a press release trying to disavow his membership here. Rather than looking into the story and finding out who Mr. Boney is and what are the circumstances of his actions.

That is another statement that needs addressing as well, but will have to wait.

Let me assure you that if we weren’t doing things in accordance with the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment in forming a Well Regulated Militia we would wind up like the above. There are a few differences between us and our predecessors of 1776 and 1836 but the patriotic fervor of each one of us is the same!

UH? No we are not the same, and NONE of the members I am aware of have had any run in with the law such as Mr. Boney did. So, is he implying that we are all criminals committing acts like those of Mr. Boney and soon to be in the same situation as he? This is complete misdirection and twisting of the FACTS!! Unless he feels that we are all emotionally distressed individuals bent on taking on LEO, or trying to shoot our spouses.

We are posting an OPSEC Statement on our web site for all to see, we are sending it to the major newspapers around the state and generally are separating ourselves from those who are not and do not conduct themselves as professional members of The Texas Militia. There is little we can do to stop these other groups from using our logo and our shoulder patch but each member of The Texas Militia Assistance & Defense Forces need to deport themselves in a professional manner both in and out of uniform so as not bring discredit upon you, The Texas Militia Assistance & Defense Forces, our communities, Texas and the United States of America!

Under the 2nd amendment we read that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”, so requiring or mandating a State License to carry a firearm is in direct violation of that. Whether or not you are using it to screen your members or not, you are condoning the violation of that right!

We, the members of the Militia are NOT “professional members” that would make us mercenaries for hire. WE are VOLUNTEERS.

The patches he is speaking of are for “Texas Militia” NOT “Texas Militia Assistance and Defense Forces”and they were bought and paid for by the members PRIOR to Col Burnside taking command. He is welcome to have them back for the purchase price and shipping if he wants them.

Now which group are they???? “Texas Militia” or are they “Texas Militia Assistance and Defense Forces”??? He can’t make up his mind.

For those of you who have friended others in the above category, I would recommend that you de-friend them immediately. They and their head Mr. Long and Mr. Foy have started a campaign to discredit us by utilizing the face book medium and on their individual web sites including the Well Regulated American Militia web site. Obviously having not thoroughly done thier research these two and others of their caliber are posting that we require FEMA certification before enlistment and require CHL’s. There is nowhere on our site that states we are affiliated with FEMA, not even mentioned on our site. We do ask that all members obtain their CHL within six months of enlistment but that is for background checks and to keep out felons who cannot legally possess firearms. They are saying much about us being an Unorganized Militant Militia. We are organized in military fashion and are preparing to battle a well-trained enemy of professionals and these other militia members who want to sit around and try to slander The Texas Militia Assistance & Defense Forces, are going to die in short order because they are not prepared for a true battle against a well-trained enemy. I assure you that WE will prevail in battle. So I ask that none of you stoop to their level by arguing with them as this is exactly what they want. However, arguing with this type of mentality is useless and we need to focus all of our energies on training for battle, not trading emails with these people. May God have mercy on them when it hits the fan.

Remember, El Deguello! Remember the Alamo!

Sincerely,
Commanding Officer
The Texas Militia
Assistance & Defense Forces
Semper Fidelis,
Executive Officer
TheTexas Militia
Assistance & Defense Forces

END OF POST….

First of all I (Mr. Long), and Mr. Foy, are not the “Head”. We are simply concerned citizens, and active members of the “Texas Militia” under the Constitutions. We are representing our fellow Militia Members who are concerned with the direction and actions that Mr. Burnside and his organization are taking. Mr. Foy is the recognized Liaison for the Militia groups across the State by many different groups.

NO they, Burnside et all, do not affiliate themselves on their site with FEMA, but their internal emails do. Those which we have posted, come from their own emails to Mr. Foy. They stated they require those certifications for membership. We have the proof posted for all to see.

“others in the above category, I would recommend that you de-friend them immediately.”

So now anyone NOT a member of the “Texas Militia Assistance and Defense Forces” is what?? Which category is he speaking of? Anyone who is not a “professional” soldier??

We have not attempted to discredit them; they have done that just fine on their own in their responses to our simple questions concerning their actions. All we did was ask. Why is it so hard to get simple answers?

NOTE- I wanted to address this comment directly,

“We are organized in military fashion and are preparing to battle a well-trained enemy of professionals and these other militia members who want to sit around and try to slander The Texas Militia Assistance & Defense Forces, are going to die in short order because they are not prepared for a true battle against a well-trained enemy. I assure you that WE will prevail in battle.

The Militia is NOT the Military!! Yes, we do train in military tactics and skills. Yes, some of our groups utilize rank structure etc. but, they are not, nor do they pretend that they are Military. There is no uniform, no saluting, and no licenses or certifications to be involved. They simply require you to be active in your local group.

For Mr. Burnside to imply that they would take on a force of aggressors who are “professionals” is insane and unrealistic. Nor does he grasp the reality of Battle against these type forces that are well equipped, well trained, and supported by outside lines of supply.

Attempting to take on such a force without being just as well equipped, well trained and resupplied, is futile and suicidal at best. Considering that we are all VOLUNTEERS, providing all of our own equipment and gear without supply lines.

He also insults every single former Armed Services member and Veteran in the Militia by stating that they “are going to die in short order” if they are not aligned with his organization. He is blatantly stating that our fine men and women of the Militias who have served and sacrificed for their country are incapable, inept, and useless. According to him they will all “die in short order”?!?

HOW DARE YOU SIR!!! I personally take offense to your statement. My Father and Grandfather, both Veterans and career Army men would punch you in the mouth for your words. As I am sure there are many who would gladly do the same. The arrogance of your words is appalling and extremely dangerous.

Yes, we have posted your emails and your statements online on multiple sites to make people aware of exactly what your intentions are and the misinformation that you would readily hand out to people seeking to become active in their local Militia. This is due to our sense of DUTY to “The People” and our duty “to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

In my email, sent 2/14/12, to you and your Command Mr. Burnside, I stated that:
“We do not wish to make you or anyone else an enemy or to force you to align with anyone you do not wish to associate with. We are actively promoting cooperation and coordination while maintaining the right of individuals and groups to organize how they see fit. But, as long as your Groups are being run the way they are then you will find very few allies within the Militia.

I would like to personally request that you, apologize to Mr. Foy for his treatment as our Liaison, to disavow any mandates or requirements for membership that require Government issued Certifications or Licenses, and that you rethink your direction so that we may work together for the sake of our communities, our State, and our Nation. You have some good people in your ranks and it would be a shame to waste their talents.

I look forward to your responses and your opinions concerning these matters. Hopefully, we will be able to put it behind us and move forward."

Unfortunately, in your arrogance you refused to address me or Mr. Foy directly or at all. You choose to comment on your website and to your members and in doing so disavowed all other groups besides your own.

This is a clear sign of someone with dreams of grandeur and power by proxy. Alienate all others, and control the information that your followers are privy to so as to maintain your control over them. These tactics are well documented by those who study cults, and radical religious organizations. I could go into it further but it would take up too much space.

Unlike you, we don’t assume that our people are ignorant and easily manipulated. We accept that each is their own person and capable of making their own decisions and that they, the people, hold the power over US!! Not the other way around.

I follow those I serve and have been given their trust to handle these matters. I listen to what people tell me, not dictate to them. Everyone is entitled to have a voice, not told to “Salute smartly and get it done” like Mr. Foy was told to do.

I want to thank you for your response as it were, and it has been. You have done more to solidify our assessment of you and your organization than we could have ever posted or written about you.
By your own words and actions you have proven beyond a doubt that you are a Danger to others and that you are solely intent on CONTROLLING your members, rather than LEADING them. That you do not believe in True Freedom and Liberty, but that Licenses and Certificates through government agencies are acceptable requirements to become active in the Militia. Whether it is for security and logistical reasons or not, those are against the Constitution and the rights there in given to the people by our Creator.

Craig A. Burnside, you sir and anyone who aligns themselves with you, are TRAITORS to the Constitution of these United States. You and your ilk are a threat to the Freedoms and Liberty of the people and will be treated as such.

You were given a chance for open dialogue in this matter. You refused to respond and instead chose to disregard the charges against you and have in fact affirmed those charges by your actions and public statements. You have proven beyond a doubt what we have said to be true.

Thank you for your response.

Chris Long aka ETXPatriot