The National Guard is a prestigious military organization that can trace its roots all the way back to December 13, 1636, when it was officially founded. This is considered the formal birth date of the National Guard.
On that particular date, it was decided by the Massachusetts General Court to pass a law that organized the colony’s disparate militias into three fight regiments. This was the first time an organized state-run militia was established in modern America.
These organized militias were instrumental in helping America secure the vote for independence on July 2, 1776, ratifying the decisions two days later. We can see that the National Guard has its roots in the very founding of the nation and has taken many forms since then, most recently structuring the Air National Guard (ANG) as a distinct component, separate but supportive of the Army National Guard on September 18, 1947.
The birthday of the National Guard is celebrated on December 13 each year. During this celebration, service members and civilians alike remember and give thanks for the sacrifice and service of all National Guard members, from past to present. Today, this reservist force serves vital peacekeeping, domestic security, disaster relief, and overseas logistical efforts to keep the United States Military the strongest set of fighting forces in the world. They offer a range of highly specialist job roles and provide competitive reservist career pathways for anyone interested in defending the nation and joining such a long and prestigious martial legacy.