Facts about National Guard militia
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National Guard militia units trace their legal foundation to the Militia Act of 1903, also called the Dick Act, which formally distinguished organized militia from unorganized reserve forces.
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Over 335,000 National Guard members serve across all 50 states in dual state and federal roles, representing approximately 40 percent of total U.S. military reserve forces.
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Each state's National Guard reports to its governor during peacetime, but Congress can federalize units for national emergencies, creating a dual command structure unique among world militaries.
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Approximately 90,000 National Guard members were activated for domestic security during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot response, the largest peacetime mobilization since World War II.
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All 50 states maintain Army and Air National Guard units totaling approximately 335,000 soldiers and airmen, making it the largest reserve military force in the world.
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In 2001, approximately 5,600 Army National Guard troops deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, marking one of the largest overseas mobilizations since the Vietnam War.
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The National Guard mobilized approximately 15,000 troops to support Hurricane Katrina relief operations in 2005, representing one of the largest domestic disaster response deployments in its history.
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Founded in 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia became the oldest continuously active military organization in the United States, evolving into today's National Guard.