American National Guard

The first muster of militia forces in what is today the United States took place on September 16, 1565, in the newly established Spanish military town of St. Augustine. The militia men were assigned to guard the expedition’s supplies while their leader, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, took the regular troops north to attack the French settlement at Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River. The majority of the National Guard is a state based militia under the control of the governor. National Guard soldiers and airmen hold a civilian job full-time while serving part-time as a National Guard member. We honor the National Guard on 4th of July and Memorial Day and hope you will enjoy our selection of photos.