23 states in the U.S. have recognized state defense forces that are a trained military force whose primary mission is disaster support and emergency management. These defense forces work primarily with local emergency management and first responders to respond to any type of disaster or emergency but they could greatly benefit from Federal assistance as they are almost entirely self supported. Most of these defense forces use the ICS command structure and utilize in class and online FEMA independent training as part of their core training. Diverse backgrounds in health care and numerous other industries as well as a large number of retired military make the various defense forces a large untapped resource in any disaster or emergency.