"...wondering what the founders' view on the militia was?

Received an E-Mail from Mike, whom I've had previous correspondence with, which reads as follows:
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I was wondering what the founders' view on the militia was? Was it mandatory that all abled bodied males of age serve and bring their own arms?

I know you probably have some quotes regarding it. =)

Thanks, Mike.

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Mike and I have had some decent communication. So I thought it best to give an answer better than just a few short words;
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Hello Mike,
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Well, from what I've gathered so far. It seems that the majority were in favor of the militia. They looked at it as the only logical defense. And this for a number of reasons. During the colonial period, each colony had different rules and regulations, with certain exceptions, (mainly for those morally/religiously scrupulous of bearing arms - although, even many of those had a change of heart during the Revolution). The militia had been an American means of defense, since at least the mid 1600's. As shown in an excerpt, here:

"Nevertheless, with all these defects, the colony was admirably governed in the main. One great right of freemen, the right of bearing arms, a highly necessary right to men planted suddenly among wild beasts and savages, was certainly not taken from the people. On the contrary, the government took care that all should be duly trained to self-defence. There is no man who bears a head, says Wood, (New Englands Prospect, 1639,) but bears military arms; even boys of fourteen years of age are practised with men in military discipline every three weeks. And they practised to some effect, as the records of the time prove, and as the Pequods learned to their cost."

The preliminary regulation and requirements didn't effectively start until the mid 1760's, (after passage of the Stamp Act in 1765). The Revolution can be traced directly to that British Parliamentary act that started the fire smoldering. After that act, the militia started to receive much more attention. Up into the early/mid-1770's most of the militia had their own personal weapons. Teenagers, from about 15 were allowed as drummers, assistants and various other duties. Some of the colonies had stands of arms, (supplied by begging the king for them), for supply in various towns/cities. And others just relied on the prevalence of private arms in the population. The majority of the guns in America, at this point, were held in the hands of the citizens. There was a standing army, but it was under British control.
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After the Declaration is when everything started to change. At one period, all free white males, again with certain exceptions, between the ages of 16, (or 17, can't remember now), to 60 were part of the militia. There were even black slaves that earned their freedom by fighting in the militia. They were held in regard for their fighting ability, and looked upon as equals in their abilities as soldiers. There were many calls to the people to loan the government their arms, because the supply was low, to non-existent otherwise. As well as calls for recruits, and yes, it was required that they bring/supply their "own Arms and Accoutrements." (See - http://gunshowonthenet.com/2ALEGAL/Origins.html). Patrick Henry even did a number of 'arms drives' where he went around the countryside begging arms from the people to be used by the army and militia. And the people ended up giving him what was required and more. The government called out to the people, in order to borrow their own private arms, on a number of occasions.
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George Washington didn't appear to be that big of a fan of the militia. Although he fluctuated in his opinion over a course of years, and still recognized the value and purpose/need of the militia. He was pure regular military, and learned by experience, that the militia were not regulated to his liking. That they generally were a cause of headaches to his military-ordered mind. He started to form plans of regulation in the early 1780's. While still recognizing that the right of Self-Defense was the First Law of Nature. Many of the other founders were aware of the need for a standing army, however distasteful it might be to their senses. The majority of them saw the militia as indispensable.
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The one thing that is crystal clear, from all of the information I've gathered. The American people, (A good part of them anyways), have ALWAYS been armed.Hope that helps answer your question.
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Best,
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David