From founding until early 1900s, U.S. maintains minimal army and often leverages state militias for troops. Militia training and readiness vary widely. Militia performance during Spanish-American War prompts congressional reform and regulation in qualification of state militias. Militia Act of 1903 creates predecessor to modern-day National Guard.
National Defense Act of 1916 abandons expandable regular army and establishes traditional concept of citizensÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ army as keystone in U.S. defense forces. It makes term ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œNational GuardÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ mandatory for state militias. In war or national emergency, act bestows presidential authority over mobilizing National Guard for duration.
During World War I, National Guard accounts for 40% of American Expeditionary Force. In 1988, DTIC report by Col. Lloyd E. Krase documents how 1933 National Guard Mobilization Act further integrates National Guard into U.S. Army.
Recently, numerous ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDefend the GuardÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ state-level legislative initiatives promise to require congressional declaration of war before deploying Guard troops outside our country. In 2024, this legislation passes in New Hampshire and Texas. Keep in mind that last congressional declaration of war occurs in 1942 during World War II.
Acknowledge and praise those in National Guard standing ready to help at momentÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s notice. As Chief Warrant Officer David Myers writes in official song of National Guard Bureau, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re proud of the National Guard, Always Ready, Always There!ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ In upcoming election, vote for state and federal legislative candidates supporting and promoting ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDefend the GuardÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ initiatives.
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