What was a major limitation of the Articles of Confederation regarding military forces?

The choice highlighting that states had to contribute forces accurately reflects a significant limitation of the Articles of Confederation regarding military forces. Under the Articles, the federal government lacked the power to maintain a standing army or to draft soldiers. Instead, it relied on the states to provide troops for military service. Each state had to raise and supply its own militia, which created inconsistencies and challenges in responding to national military needs. This dependency on state contributions often resulted in insufficient manpower during conflicts, as some states might not fulfill their obligations or prioritize their local interests over national concerns. Thus, while the federal government could request troops, it had no direct authority to enforce or guarantee military support, making the reliance on states a critical weakness in managing a unified national defense.