ABSTRACT
This chapter devotes to a brief analysis of the different kinds of military and other armed security forces that are found in the security-oriented ministries of the states. Internal Security Forces are often referred to as interior ministry troops and may be organized along military lines. These differ from paramilitary police forces, which may often be controlled by ministries of the interior (MOI), by their lack of a law enforcement and investigative function. The US National Guard is a reserve organization of the US armed forces, and thus equipped and trained for combat missions as well as civil support tasks. The Guardia di Finanza of Italy is charged with many border security functions but also for the enforcement of financial laws throughout the country. National Police Forces include the great bulk of regular police forces found in a given state.
