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
Troy Record -- Tue, 16 Apr 2024 East Greenbush resident retires from NY Army National Guard LATHAM, N.Y. New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Larry Langley, an East Greenbush resident, was recognized for 29 years of military service during recent retirement ceremonies... (more)
Times Union -- Mon, 15 Apr 2024 Bucket-bearing helicopter crews drill on Mohawk River in Colonie (photos) COLONIE New York Army National Guard crews piloted a Black Hawk helicopter along the Mohawk River on Monday to practice filling the aerial water buckets to douse wildfires. The noon to... (more)
WTEN -- Mon, 15 Apr 2024 NY Army National Guard trains to fight wildfires (video) COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) Its wildfire season, and New York remains at an elevated risk. The New York State Army National Guard is ensuring they are ready if a wildfire were to spark. Helicopters... (more)