Happy Birthday National Guard!
We celebrate an important birthday today, and at 387 years old, they sure look great for their age! Happy Birthday to our oldest military organization: the National Guard!
Wait, You’re How Old?
On December 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s General Court ordered and organized “three permanent regiments to better defend the colony” – thus, the birth of organized militia and the foundation for today’s National Guard.
These regiments were originally named the North, South, and East Regiments, but later evolved into the 181st Infantry, 182nd Infantry, 101st Field Artillery, and 101st Engineer Battalion. . The 101st Engineer Battalion, then the “East” Regiment, is credited with “The First Muster,” occurring sometime in 1637 in Salem, Massachusetts. In fact, the city of Salem, MA still honors the First Muster each year.
Over the next 297 years, the militia would defend its colonies, and later its country, in every conflict since 1637. In 1916, the National Defense Act required states to use the term “National Guard” for its militias, and allowed the President of the United States the authority to mobilize each state’s Guard units. 1933, Congress formally unified and aggregated the U.S. National Guard – establishing training standards so as to maintain “unit integrity” when units were activated under federal orders.
Today’s National Guard
Today –according to the DOD’s 2022 Demographics Report of the Military Community, the Army National Guard makes up 15.9% of military personnel, with an additional 5.1% in the Air National Guard. Further, the Army & Air National Guard comprises over 40% of the total Ready Reserve and Guard forces, with a combined total of over four hundred and thirty thousand members. Serving at home and abroad – under state and federal orders – the National Guard remains true to its moto, “Always Ready Always There.”
So on its birthday, we thank the National Guard for its service in our communities and on our front lines! And we invite everyone to learn more about the National Guard and share in its birthday celebration by viewing this very special birthday message:
And remember – If you have an injury or disability due to your service in the National Guard and VA has denied you claim, we’re here to help! Contact us for a free case evaluation.