LATHAM-- The National Guard of the United States turns 375 Years old today,Dec. 13. On this day in 1636 the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law establishing formal militia companies in the colony. These companies were made up of all adult males older than 16 and were expected to meet and train in military skills regularly.In New York, the first citizen-soldiers were members of the Burgher Guard, organized by the Dutch East Indian Company in 1640 to help protect New Amsterdam from their English neighbors in Massachusetts and Virginia or from hostile natives.
Citizen soldiers of the militia and National Guard have fought in all of America’s wars from King Philips War against Native Americans in the New England Colonies in 1675 to the struggle in Afghanistan today.
DMNA Press Releases
NY National Guard In the News
Stars and Stripes -- Wed, 14 May 2025 10 New York National Guard soldiers injured in 2024 drone attack receive Purple Hearts Ten New York National Guard soldiers received the Purple Heart last Saturday at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, N.Y., according to an Army news release. The 101st... (more)
Governing -- Wed, 14 May 2025 The Surprisingly Expansive Role of the National Guard While primarily a military reserve force, the National Guard also responds to a wide variety of state-level missions some familiar kinds of missions, some more unusual. In Brief: Workforce... (more)
Newsday -- Wed, 14 May 2025 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach to get first helicopter training simulator in Northeast, mimicking perilous conditions Pilots stationed at the New York Air National Guards 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach will soon be able to safely train for a host of perilous conditions, as the base at Francis S. Gabreski... (more)