The Massachusetts State Defense Force was activated during World War II and engaged in training by practicing capturing soldiers, using grenades, digging trenches and making incendiary bombs; the State Defense Force also operated the Women's Defense Force, comprised of women who were responsible for medical, firefighting, transportation, and communications services.
The State Guard was activated during World War II and served as a light infantry division until deactivation in February 1947. During World War II, the Massachusetts State Guard, training alongside other guardsmen from other states in New England, practiced capturing soldiers from Fort Devens (then Camp Devens) who would pose as enemy paratroopers, and "practiced using grenades, digging trenches, charging across fields with their shotguns, making incendiary and smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails, and creating roadblocks." In addition to the combat division, the Massachusetts State Guard operated the Women's Defense Force (WDC), a unit made up of women who were responsible for medical, firefighting, air raid alert, transportation, canteen, and communications services. The purpose of the Massachusetts State Defense Force is to augment the Massachusetts National Guard during emergencies in the state, especially when some or all of the National Guard is deployed. 
