With many of the state's National Guard Companies deployed, the Commonwealth now rests in the hands of the Virginia Defense Force.

The Defense Force is the back-up company to the National Guard, and they are responsible for continuing the National Guard's duties while soldiers are deployed.

The Defense Force can never be deployed, and their duties lie completely within the Commonwealth.

Unfortunately, the membership of the Defense Force is very low at this time. Maj. Jesse Miller, the Harrisonburg Company, explains this problem for the Guard and for Virginia.

"We're used to only a drill per month. Now we're called out to different things, I won't get into detail of all that, but you know we been called a lot more than we've been called. And the more people I've got, the less work there is for everyone else. Right now, 12 people have to do the work of 65."

The Defense Force accepts those between age 16 and 65, and it is a volunteer organization. They will hold their next monthly drill at the Harrisonburg Armory on February 10.