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Moments In History

1600s

In 1636, English colonists in North America established colonial militias to protect against tribal attacks and foreign invaders. These militias were the roots of the National Guard.

1700s

In 1776, the U.S. Constitution empowered Congress to "provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia." States received the power to appoint officers and train militia.

1800s

In 1825, the New York militia named themselves the "National Guard" during ceremonies honoring General Lafayette—the great hero of the American and French Revolutions—who called his unit the "Garde Nationale." In 1916, all U.S. militias adopted "National Guard" as their official title.

State militias provided military troops during the Mexican War, Civil War and Spanish-American War—including Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders."

1900s

Guard troops distinguished themselves in WWI, WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as supplying 183,000 Soldiers in response to Soviet moves to cut off allied access during the 1961 Berlin Crisis.

In 1991, 75,000 Guard members helped end Desert Storm. When Iraq invaded oil-rich Kuwait in August, 1990, Guard Soldiers and Airmen volunteered—the largest mobilization of a volunteer fighting force since the Korean War.

From 1996–1999, the Army National Guard deployed nearly 10,000 peacekeepers to the former Yugoslavia and Macedonia.

2000s

After 9/11, more than 50,000 Guard members provided security at home and abroad. In the immediate wake of the attack on the World Trade Center, the New York Army and Air National Guard mobilized more than 8,000 personnel to secure the area, rush in supplies, and assist in the rescue and recovery efforts.

In 2002, the Global War on Terror began. The Guard supplied a major portion of the force deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2005, half of the U.S. combat brigades in Iraq were composed of Guard Soldiers.

In the fall of 2005, 50,000 troops from every state aided the victims of Hurricane Katrina—the largest domestic response mission in the history of the National Guard. Guard members rescued 17,000 people and transported 200,000 to shelter, remaining on the scene for months to assist with cleanup and maintain order.

In 2006, the National Guard celebrated its 370th birthday. That same year, over 6,000 Guard Soldiers served on the U.S.–Mexico border to support border patrol in Operation Jump Start.

By 2009, the National Guard had proved itself as combat ready and highly versatile. Guard Soldiers not only continue to track down insurgent forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also educate Afghan villagers on farming techniques. Guard Soldiers continue to train Afghan and Iraqi troops on combat tactics.

Amid these missions, Guard Soldiers maintained the peace in Kosovo and responded to countless domestic emergencies stateside—including the massive wildfires in South Carolina that destroyed over 19,000 acres in April of 2009.

 

Note: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. For the latest information, please contact your local recruiter.