• The Texas Civil Guard (TCG) is an all-volunteer network committed to community assistance, civil emergency response, education, and leadership development throughout Texas. Our units operate under a unified set of bylaws, ensuring coordination, professionalism, and a shared dedication to service. Together, we stand ready to assist our neighbors and strengthen the resilience of our communities.

  • We are dedicated to serving our communities and the State of Texas. Through direct support of law enforcement, volunteer service, and educational outreach, we uphold the belief that We the People are our greatest resource.

    As a community-focused organization, we deliver training and services that build skills, strengthen preparedness, and enhance safety, including:

    • Emergency Medical Training – Tactical medical care, Stop the Bleed, and first aid

    • Search & Rescue – Ground search operations and victim recovery

    • Disaster Preparation & Recovery – Readiness planning and emergency support

    • Self-Defense (Armed & Unarmed) – Practical skills for personal and community safety

    • Neighborhood Watch Coordination – Organizing and leading local vigilance efforts

    • Emergency Radio Communication – Secure, reliable comms training for all situations

    • Wilderness Survival & First Aid – Skills for austere and remote environments

    Many of our leaders and members are graduates of CERT and FEMA programs, and we actively encourage all Texans to complete these courses to strengthen both personal resilience and community readiness.

  • We swear the same oath as our nation’s law enforcement and military—to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Grounded in the belief that the inalienable, natural rights of all people must be preserved, we are committed to protecting life, liberty, and property.

The Texas Civil Guard is built on rigorous training and readiness. We prepare our members with the skills, discipline, and confidence needed to respond effectively in any situation—from natural disasters and community emergencies to threats against our citizens. Our focus is on making sure every member is trained, equipped, and capable of defending and protecting the people of Texas. Through structured field exercises, tactical instruction, and mission-focused development, we ensure that when the call comes, we are ready to stand strong for our communities.

Have Questions? Want to Learn More?

The Texas Civil Guard is committed to transparency and community involvement. If you have questions about who we are, what we do, or how we serve Texas communities, we encourage you to reach out. We’re glad to provide more information about our mission, training, and opportunities to get involved.

If you’re ready to take the next step and apply to serve with us, please visit our Join & Serve page for full details on requirements and the application process.

Brief History of the Texas Militia

The Texas militia has deep roots reaching back to August 5, 1823, when Stephen F. Austin organized a citizen defense force under authority from the Mexican government to protect settlers from hostile tribes and banditry. Known as the Texian Militia, these early volunteers conducted scouting, security patrols, and rapid-response defense across the frontier. They would later form the nucleus of the fighting force that launched the Texas Revolution (1835–1836), beginning with the Battle of Gonzales and continuing through iconic engagements at the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto.

Following independence, the Republic of Texas Constitution (1836) formally recognized the militia as a necessary element of national defense, codifying citizen-soldier service in law. The Militia Act of 1837 provided for an organized force divided into divisions and brigades, while volunteer units like the Milam Guards and Travis Rifles provided additional manpower. During this period, the Texas Rangers also evolved from militia detachments into a specialized frontier security force.

Upon annexation by the United States in 1845, Texas militia units continued under state authority while aligning with federal requirements. Throughout the antebellum era and the Civil War, Texas militias—often called Home Guard or State Troops—provided internal security, frontier defense, and local protection. Reconstruction brought reorganization into the Texas Volunteer Guard, which by 1880 numbered more than forty companies.

Modernization came with the Militia Act of 1903 (the Dick Act), which federalized state militias into the National Guard, providing standardized equipment and training while preserving state control for local missions. Texas also maintains the Texas State Guard, a non-federalized force dedicated to disaster response, homeland security, and community support within the state.

Constitutional Basis

The authority for a militia in Texas is rooted in both federal and state law:

  • U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment (1791):
    “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

  • Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 23:
    “Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.”

  • Texas Government Code, Title 4, Subtitle C (State Militia):
    Defines the militia of the state as consisting of the organized militia (Texas National Guard, Texas State Guard) and the reserve militia, which includes all able-bodied citizens eligible for service.

These legal foundations ensure that the tradition of citizen-soldier service, established in 1823, continues to operate under recognized state and federal authority to this day.