Those statutes require that the ORCDF be made up of individuals that are not a part of the federal military services or the National Guard.

However, a spokesman for the Oregon Military Department stated on record that the suspension was temporary and the ORSDF would return to active service.

However, almost immediately after their disbanding, they were re-formed after legislation was introduced by State Representative Colonel Owen Summers.

They were among the first United States forces to enter the Pacific theater of the war, and served with distinction.

[9] During both World Wars, when the National Guard was deployed abroad, states were forced to organize their own military units if they wished to protect their borders and infrastructure from sabotage or attack.

[12] In 2002, the Oregon State Defense Force was reorganized to better parallel their National Guard counterparts.

These capacities include, but are not limited to: The ORCDF assists, augments or replaces the National Guard as ordered by the Governor (e.g., during times of crisis or when the ORNG is deployed elsewhere).

[6] The Oregon State Defense Force maintained a military band, which was composed of bagpipe and drum players.