State guard set up by DeSantis is being trained as personal militia, veterans say

Veterans resign from force established as civilian disaster relief, citing concerns over militaristic' training and abuse'

A Florida state guard established by the rightwing governor, Ron DeSantis, under the guise of a civilian disaster relief force is instead being trained as an armed, combat-ready militia under his personal command, according to military veteran recruits who have quit the program.

Several veterans resigned after an encampment last month having become concerned at the militaristic" training and abuse" one disabled veteran suffered at the hands of instructors, according to an investigation by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times.