James Fassinger | STILLSCENES | Documentary, Travel and Editorial Photography

The Michigan Militia

"Operation Snow Dog,” Rose City, Michigan

Members of the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) at their annual winter survival training in northern Michigan.

Originally photographed for The National newspaper based in Abu Dhabi,  United Arab Emirates.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- An American flag and spray painted sign mark the entrance to the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia's (SMVM) camp for their annual Operation Snow Dog winter survival training.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Gathering around the morning fire after a freezing night in the woods, SMVM members talk about their schedule of events for the day.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- After a night of sleeping in the bitter Michigan cold, militia members gather around the morning fire to discuss the schedule of training events for the day.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- The schedule of the day's events for Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Flag with a quote from Thomas Jefferson at the campfire.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- The rife of SMVM member LFB hangs in wait as he prepares for morning military exercises.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Winter camp setup of SMVM member Bubba.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- SMVM member Brain O. covers for his fellow militia men during morning Bounding maneuvers.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- SMVM member Tom M. runs ahead down the trail during morning Bounding maneuvers.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Donned in white military camouflage, SMVM member Bubba covers for militia members during morning Bounding maneuvers at Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- SMVM chapter leader Lee Miracle makes his way down the icy trail during morning military maneuvers.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Members of the Pennsylvania Militia Mr. Mosin (kneeling) and Second Mouse (standing) gear-up for morning target practice at Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- A sled loaded with military gear brought by militia members from Pennsylvania.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Pennsylvania Militia member Mr. Mosin drove 8 hours in the early morning with his friend to join the SMVM during Operation Snow Dog because, "They are much better organized here."

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- A man, only identified as a "fellow observer", covers for militia members during morning Bounding maneuvers at Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- SMVM member Brian O. watches target practice at Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- SMVM member Lou warms up by his military-issue, collapsible wood burning stove in the Headquarters tent at Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- SMVM member Solo on the firing range at Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- After maneuvers, a "fellow observer", gets the fire going at Operation Snow Dog base camp.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- A militia man's lunch of hot dogs and Ramen Noodles cooks in a tin can over the open fire.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- One of the requirements of the training at Operation Snow Dog is that each person must build a fire, melt snow, boil and filter it into a quart of drinking water. Here, SMVM member LFB filters his water for drinking.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Suiting up in Ghillie camoflage beside ATV's outfitted with shotguns, a "fellow observer" demonstrates how it is done to SMVM members.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Militia member Mike Lackomar on maneuvers during Operation Snow Dog.

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Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual

Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM) train at their annual "Operation Snow Dog."

Rose City, Michigan -- Feb. 6th, 2009 -- Militia member Bubba shoots on the range during SMVM's annual Operation Snow Dog.

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