In 1636, no one had even imagined a United States of America. The English were still relative newcomers to the continent. And George Washington wouldn't be born for nearly 100 years. There was no Army, Navy or Marines.
But there was a National Guard. English settlers had landed in the New World and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony only seven years earlier. Compared to their well-developed homeland, their new territory was a wilderness of dense forests, inhabited by wild animals and curious natives. Feeling the need for protection, the colony adopted the English system of a militia, a band of citizens who would train together and be ready to fight when needed.
On Dec. 13, 1636, the growing colony divided the militia into three formal and separate regiments. Though the title of National Guard wouldn't be widely adopted until much later, several branches of today's Massachusetts Army National Guard are directly descended from those earliest units.
For that reason, each Dec. 13 is celebrated as the birthday of the National Guard. This year, America's first military force is 376 years old.
The National Guard Today
But there was a National Guard. English settlers had landed in the New World and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony only seven years earlier. Compared to their well-developed homeland, their new territory was a wilderness of dense forests, inhabited by wild animals and curious natives. Feeling the need for protection, the colony adopted the English system of a militia, a band of citizens who would train together and be ready to fight when needed.
On Dec. 13, 1636, the growing colony divided the militia into three formal and separate regiments. Though the title of National Guard wouldn't be widely adopted until much later, several branches of today's Massachusetts Army National Guard are directly descended from those earliest units.
For that reason, each Dec. 13 is celebrated as the birthday of the National Guard. This year, America's first military force is 376 years old.
The National Guard Today
- Motto: "Always Ready, Always There"
- Dual allegiance to state and federal governments
- 358,200 citizen soldiers
- 2,800 armories
- 106,700 citizen airmen
- The ANG provides 35 percent of the Air Force's capability
- Presence in every U.S. state, three territories and the District of Columbia