N.M. Stat. § 20-2-1
Definitions and principles.
A. "Militia" means all the military forces of this state, organized and unorganized,
whether active or inactive; but excludes the regularly organized police forces of the
state or its political subdivisions and excludes the civil air patrol division.
B. "National guard" means the New Mexico army national guard and the New
Mexico air national guard. The national guard is federally recognized and has a dual
state and federal character and mission. When used in Chapter 20 NMSA 1978 national
guard shall refer to the national guard of New Mexico unless otherwise stated.
C. "New Mexico state defense force" means that part of the militia of the state which
is not federally recognized. It is exclusively a state entity. Its standing cadre is a
component of the organized militia; its ranks are filled upon order of the governor from
the unorganized militia. When used in Chapter 20 NMSA 1978, state defense force shall
refer to the New Mexico state defense force.