ARTICLE 1. Composition [120. - 130.]

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC 1.
in effect

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 122. Section 122.

The militia of the State consists of all able-bodied male citizens and all other able-bodied males who have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, who are between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and who are residents of the State, and of such other persons as may upon their own application be enlisted or commissioned therein pursuant to the provisions of this division, subject, however, to such exemptions as now exist or may be hereafter created by the laws of the United States or of this State.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 123. Section 123.

Whenever the Governor deems it necessary, they may order an enrollment to be made by officers designated by the Governor, of all persons liable to service in the militia. The enrollment shall include any information that the Governor may require. Three copies thereof shall be made: one copy shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the county in which the enrollment is made, and two copies in the office of the Adjutant General.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 124. Section 124.

Enrollment shall be made upon such notice and in such manner as the Governor may direct. Every person required by such notice to enroll who fails or refuses so to do is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 125. Section 125.

The following persons shall be exempt from military service: (a) Persons exempt from military service by the laws of the United States. (b) Regular or duly ordained ministers of religion. (c) Students preparing for the ministry in recognized theological or divinity schools. (d) Pilots and mariners actually employed in sea service by a citizen of the United States. The above persons shall not be exempt from enrollment but shall file verified claims for exemption from military service in such forms and manner as the Governor may direct.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 126. Section 126.

The Governor shall appoint boards in number and personnel as will best accomplish the enrollment and such boards shall be vested with the authority and power of passing upon and determining the claims of exemption filed under section 125. An appeal to the Governor may be taken from the decision of the boards by the State or any person interested in the matter and within the time prescribed in regulations promulgated by the Governor.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 127. Section 127.

When the National Guard and Naval Militia are on duty as a combined force at any time, the commanding officer of the whole force shall be designated by the Governor. When two or more officers are on duty in the same place, camp, field, command or organization, the Governor may assign the command to any one of such officers without regard to seniority of rank or branch of service.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 128. Section 128.

The unorganized militia may be called for active duty in case of war, rebellion, insurrection, invasion, tumult, riot, breach of the peace, public calamity or catastrophe, or other emergency, or imminent danger thereof, or may be called forth for service under the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whenever it is necessary to call out any portion of the unorganized militia, the Governor may call for and accept as many volunteers as are required for such service, under regulations provided by this division.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 129. Section 129.

Every member of the militia who is ordered out, or who volunteers or is drafted under the provisions of this division and who does not appear at the time and place designated by the Governor, or under his authority, within twenty-four hours from such time, and who does not produce a sworn certificate of physical disability from a physician in good standing, is a deserter and shall be dealt with as prescribed in the Articles of War of the United States, or by this division.

Cal. Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 130. Section 130.

(a) Members of the militia of the state shall not be discriminated against in enlistments, promotions, or commissions on any basis listed in subdivision (a) of Section 12940 of the Government Code, as those bases are defined in Sections 12926 and 12926.1 of the Government Code, except as otherwise provided in Section 12940 of the Government Code. (b) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of California that there be equality of treatment and opportunity for all members of the militia of the state without regard to any basis listed in subdivision (a) of Section 12940 of the Government Code, as those bases are defined in Sections 12926 and 12926.1 of the Government Code. This policy shall be put into effect in the militia by rules and regulations to be issued by the Governor with due regard to the powers of the federal government that are, or may be, exercised over all the militia of the state with regard to positions requiring federal recognition.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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