Kootenai County Website = Click Here!
We will host an officers meeting at Slates Restaurant in Sandpoint, second Friday of the month, 7 pm. All officers and command level sergeants
are asked to attend so that we may schedule and coordinate training days and other unit business. Anyone who wants information on the
militia may attend and please bring friends or others who just want to check us out. We are, as always, open to the public.
I've discovered something that might make it a little less uncomfortable for the new people who want to train with us or otherwise lend
support, but are afraid of signing their name to the bottom of a militia recruitment application. As you know by now, (if you've been following
the website so far) according to Idaho law, Federal law and the constitutions of Idaho and the U.S., "we the people" are the militia. In fact, all
male citizens ages 18-45 may be called up by the Governor in the event of an emergency. A "militia draft" as it were.
But, in my further study of the Geneva Conventions I have learned that what I thought we needed to abide by to be, as I like to say, "super
legal" (recognizable uniform, unit patch and ID card), are actually rules for national militaries.
We, the people (militia), are covered under...
ANNEX TO THE CONVENTION : Regulations respecting the laws and customs of war on land
-Section I : On belligerents
-Chapter I : The qualifications of belligerents
-Article 1. The laws, rights, and duties of war apply not only to armies, but also to militia and volunteer corps fulfilling the following
conditions:
1. To be commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates;
2. To have a fixed distinctive emblem recognizable at a distance;
3. To carry arms openly; and
4. To conduct their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.
(emphasis mine)
So, when I first asked everyone at our founding meeting if they would submit to an application process, it was only so that we could issue ID
cards (which I thought we needed). I didn't want to issue cards to just anyone, so we adopted an application and those who signed up also
provided a copy of their Drivers License or CCW so that we knew the person we issued our ID to was the actual person listed on the card.
I know that many were wary of joining "officially" for that reason. I understand. People are afraid of their government and the power they
wield over all of us. I would, however, like to applaud those of you who did sign on the bottom line because you, as I, are tired of being afraid.
But, back to it.
We will no longer require you to fill out an application. Your state ID will suffice to prove that you, as one of "we the people", are a member of
the militia. Those who have joined previous will have all copies of their documents returned to them.
I am presently updating the website to include this information. A new "New Recruit" letter and "Uniform Standard" will be posted as well.
As always, may God bless you and yours,
Jeff
North Idaho Light Foot Militia
(Click here)
