The Minutemen were members of the organized New England colonial militia companies trained in weaponry, tactics, and military strategies during the American Revolutionary War. They were known for being ready at a minute's notice, hence the name. Minutemen provided a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force that enabled the colonies to respond immediately to military threats.

They were an evolution from the prior colonial rapid-response units. The Minutemen were among the first to fight in the American Revolution. Their teams constituted about a quarter of the entire militia. They were generally younger, more mobile, and provided with weapons and arms by the local governments. They were still part of the overall militia regimental organizations in the New England Colonies.

In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to participate in their local militia company. As early as 1645 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, some men were selected from the general ranks of "town-based training band" to be ready for rapid deployment. Men so selected were designated as minutemen.

Their companies were organized by town, so it was very common for their counterpart militia company to contain relatives and friends. Some towns in Massachusetts had a long history of designating a portion of their militia as minutemen, with "minute companies" constituting special units within the militia system whose members underwent additional training and held themselves ready to respond at a minute's notice to emergencies, which gave rise to their name as Minutemen.

As defined by our founding fathers, the militia is defined as “the whole people”. It is every able-bodied Citizen who is not disqualified by criminal conviction or mental defect, except those few persons who hold public office, such as judges, legislators, etc. The Volunteer Militia exists by law underAmendment II of the United States Constitution, U.S.C. Title 10 Subtitle A.Part I, Chapter 13, Section 311 and under all State Constitutions. 

As Ohio Constitution-17 to 67yrs of age and The Constitution-17 to 67 yrs of age: We the People: Doctors, Policemen, Firemen, Lawyers, Sheriffs & Deputies, Pastors, Teachers, EMT’s, Plumbers, Salesmen, Nurses, Electricians, Truckers, Students, Housewives, Construction workers, Mill workers, Carpenters, Mechanics, etc.

Membership in the Ohio Minutemen Militia is open to all American citizens and legal residents over the age of seventeen. The militia adheres to Judaeo-Christian principles.

The militia is open to Ohio Citizens; regardless of race, sex or national origin. Discrimination based on sex, race, religion or political affiliation must not be tolerated. All memberships and participation will remain confidential unless voluntarily relinquished by personal choice to further militia functions.

Any citizen of Ohio who maintains legal residence in the state of Ohio and has resided in the state for at least the past six months, and is not otherwise disqualified from being a member of the Ohio Minutemen Militia.

The primary goal of the Ohio Minutemen Militia is to reestablish the constitutional State civilian defense organization we used to have. Furthermore, it is to maintain a constant state of readiness in the event that it should be called up to perform its Constitutional functions, emergencies, aid and defense without it being a tax burden upon the communities.

All citizens who intend to join are required to follow this organizational structure to ensure a standardization, coordination, and parity between units and unit operations. An Ohio Minutemen Militia unit cannot and will not become a viable Defensive security organization without them. We should have a potential for effective civil defense and response for natural and man-made disasters and purposeful organization begins.

Officers must effectively organize group efforts and provide for training, unit organization, and response strategies, intelligence, security and communications. Logistics Officers must ensure the acquisition of resources consistent with the tactical role assumed by the unit.

Every member must acquire and develop proficiency in the use of firearms, field and specialized equipment. Each member must be committed to the purpose and goals of the unit. In any organization, there needs to be a clear chain of command to insure effective coordination of the units.

The fundamental rule guiding the organization is centralized principles and planning with decentralized tactics and action.

1. All prospective Militia members must read, study and understand these General Orders and
Instructions for OH Minutemen, PRIOR TO JOINING the Ohio Minutemen Militia.

2. OHMM members must maintain a positive, proper perspective and focus as to what our purpose
and goals are.

3. All participating members will be required to keep their personal Arms and equipment in a high
state of readiness at all times, “ready to go at a minute’s notice”.

4. Members are to stay focused and not spend valuable time discussing and speculating about
endless scenarios and “what-if?’s”; events will dictate our actions. Be informed and prepared.

5. For the safety of all, drug use will not be tolerated at all. Anyone found to be using an illegal
substance will be discharged and strongly encouraged to seek professional guidance.

6. Discharges will be given to persons who are deemed to be a danger to the physical well-being or
image of the Unit, according to due process.

7. Threats – written, spoken, or otherwise issued – are NOT our method of gaining respect and
cooperation. OHMM members will be held accountable for their conduct.

8. All OHMM members are reminded that the entire Militia organization can and will be judged by the
speech & actions of its’ individual members.

9. Involvement with racists, their organizations and other subversive associations are strictly
prohibited. Anyone who joins the Ohio Minutemen Militia by fraudulently denying involvement with
these groups or persons will be involuntarily discharged.

10. Persons restricted from firearms ownership are disqualified from active duty, but may be admitted
upon the lifting of the restriction.

11. Only commanders and OHMM members designated as Public Affairs Officers will be allowed to
conduct interviews with the media. The reasons for this are obvious.

12. Members are reminded that recruiting, organizing, and training are the objectives we work
towards. OHMM leadership, members, resources and time are NOT to be used for other agendas.

13. Each OHMM member must be prepared to stand fast, not letting fear and doubt overpower our
Constitutions, and our trust in each other.

14. OHMM members understand that our Bill of Rights enumerates and safeguards those Rights, and
cannot be taken away, given or voted away, ignored, or legislated out of existence.

15. OHMM members understand and are prepared to apply the principles of the Minuteman Code of
Conduct in their daily lives and in the field. 16. All OHMM members affirm that they will defend our Republic from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and uphold the Constitutions (US and Ohio) that we live by.

All personnel should memorize this code of conduct. It represents a tradition of independence
and integrity that goes all the way back to our Founding Fathers and their peers. The Minutemen Code is our badge of pride!

1. I am an Ohio minuteman. I belong to the militia, which is the whole people. We are committed to
protecting our State, country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life, my fortunes, and my
sacred honor in their defense.

2. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender my men while they
still have the means to resist!

3. If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape
and aid my fellowmen to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the Enemy.

4. If I become a prisoner, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take
part in any action that may be harmful to my colleagues. If I am senior, I will take command. If not I
will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

5. When questioned, should I become a prisoner, I am required to give name, rank, and date of birth.
I will evade answering questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements
disloyal to my State, country and my fellowmen, our allies, or harmful to our cause.

6. I will never forget that I am an Ohio minuteman, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the
principles that made my country and State free. I will trust in my God and in Ohio and the United States of America.

Religious Freedom is one of the distinguishing features of a nation with liberty. The Ohio
Minutemen Militia does not discriminate on the basis of religion or one’s beliefs, and does not bar
membership from those freedom-loving Americans who practice non-traditional beliefs. However it is
the firm position that the Ohio Minutemen Militia must uphold the values and heritage that made it
possible for our founding fathers to create the wonderful republican form of government that they
bequeathed to us. It is the position of the Ohio Minutemen Militia that the moral decay of our nation so
far is the result of the suppression of traditional religious values in violation of the First Amendment,
which states in part; “Congress shall make no law … prohibiting the free exercise thereof”; Many will
see that our pledge doesn't have, under God, that is due to we use the original Pledge, due to people
may confuse it to be a prayer. Either version can be used by each individual as they feel right not due to opinion of others.