History of the National Guard
What is a few years younger than the Mayflower Compact (1620); a lot older than the Declaration of Independence (1776) and U.S. Constitution (1787); predates the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps by 139 years; and is 311 years older than the Air Force?
Answer: The National Guard.
Known originally as the militia, the National Guard turned 373 years young Dec. 13, 2010.
It all started in 1636 when the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which functioned as the colony’s legislature, ordered existing militia companies from the towns surrounding Boston to form into three regiments: North, South and East.
While other English colonies like Virginia and Spanish colonies like Florida and Puerto Rico had individual towns with militia companies before 1636, Massachusetts was the first place in the New World where the population was large enough to justify organizing companies into regiments for command and control. These regiments became a kind of military “family” for members. Although their names have been changed and individual companies have come and gone, the three regiments still exist in the Massachusetts National Guard.
In retrospect, a string of 20-year career enlistments divides the Guard’s life span into more than 18 “generations.” The differences between generation one and the current 19th generation are countless. Yet, even as the National Guard has transformed many times, it remains true to the Founder’s intent of a citizens’ Army.
At 358,200 Soldiers strong, today's Guard is fielding the most robust force ever imagined. A defining element of this force is the versatility of the Citizen Soldier. These brave men and women are trained and ready to meet the needs of their unique dual mission, and are adaptable and agile in response to the requirements of a volatile era. In this year alone, over 52,000 Citizen Soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan while over 11,000 Soldiers at home supported operations including the Presidential Inauguration, the North Dakota floods, Kentucky ice storms, the G20 summit, and the American Samoa tsunami to name a few. For those currently deployed, we are proud of you; we support you and wish you a safe return home.
General George Washington profoundly noted that, “When we assumed the soldier, we did not set aside the citizen.” As Soldiers in this organization, these men and women are well prepared to be leaders in their communities. That is why the Army National Guard is such a national treasure, because the investment in the Soldier pays dividends in the form of the Citizen whose character and competence add value to communities across America. For almost 4 centuries members of the militia and National Guard have served this nation with pride and honor. This generation of selfless volunteers is no different. Thank you for answering the Nation's call.
