militiaman

Armed civilian volunteer

A militiaman is a member of a militia—a military force composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers.

Militias historically formed for local defense or during emergencies when regular armies were insufficient.

The term appears in discussions of colonial America, revolutionary movements, and contemporary armed groups: The militiamen trained on weekends.

armed

musket

Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm

  • flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
  • bayonetRifle-mounted stabbing blade
  • rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon

musketry · powder horn · cartridge box · drill · skirmish · ambush · guerrilla · sharpshooter · irregular · minuteman

patriot

flag

Cloth symbol or signal

revolution · rebellion · insurrection · uprising · resistance · sovereignty · homeland · allegiance · loyalty · nationalism

reservist

muster

Assemble for inspection

standby · auxiliary · reinforcement · part-time · weekend warrior · drilling · training · readiness · home defense · emergency

citizen

townsman

Male resident of town

shopkeeper · landowner · homesteader · settler · civilian · inhabitant · local · native · commoner · freeman

volunteer

enlistment

Voluntary entry into service

amateur · non-professional · neighborhood watch · grassroots · answer the call · rallying · joining up · signing up · taking up arms · service

Categories
Opposites
military professionalism

militiamanprofessional soldier

Paid military career person

career soldier · commissioned officer · enlisted soldier · regular army · serviceman

armed force structure

militiamanregular army

Nation's permanent military force

standing army · marine · conventional forces

relationship to state authority

militiamanstate trooper

Regional road officer

federal agent · police officer · peacekeeper · insurgent · rebel

Family

militiamen

Familiarity
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Profile
Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG