By Maj. Paul Fanning, Militia Times Staff
	First Published in Nov-Dec 96 Militia Times
	NEW YORK CITY-- The historic Park Avenue Armory , also known as the Seventh Regiment Armory, in Manhattan is home to the 107th Support Group - the modern descendent of the first American military organization to use the name "National Guard."

Colonial Militia

The modern National Guard stems directly from the militia of the thirteen original English colonies making it the oldest component of the armed forces of the United States. In the beginning, the greatest cultural influence on the early colonies came from Great Britain. English settlers brought with them English military ideas.

Until very late in its own history, England had no full-time professional Army. Englishmen believed that every free, able-bodied man had the obligation to help defend the country. Citizen-soldiers were the militia.

As settlers took more and more land from the Indians, war became inevitable. Militias were formed in the colonies in the 1630s following Indian attacks on smaller settlements. The first recorded militia muster took place in 1637 in Salem, MA when the Massachusetts Bay Colony formed its own regiments.

During the French and Indian War which began in 1754, much of the fighting was being done by militia regiments, frequently referred to as "Provincials" by the British. Provincials had little tolerance for European style warfare which was ill suited to combat in the colonies against Indians. Colonial militia, which often fought in small numbers and emphasized individual initiative, contributed badly needed skills in frontier warfare to the British Army. Many battles were fought in areas of New York State.

During the American Revolution, which began in 1775 -just 12 years after the Treaty of Paris, 1763 which ended the French and Indian War -militia regiments contributed heavily to the Continental Army. The new American Army was commanded by a former militia colonel who became our nation's first President - George Washington.

Constitutional Force

Following the Revolution, the framers of the Constitution compromised between opposing views from federalists who wanted a strong central government with a large regular army and militia firmly under its control, and those in believed in states rights, did not want a large regular Army and felt states should control the militias.

The founding fathers made the President the Commander-in-Chief of all of the military forces but gave Congress the right to declare war and the sole power to raise taxes to pay for military forces. Control of the militia was divided between the individual states and the federal government. The Constitution gave the states the right to appoint officers and supervise the training of the militia. The federal government was granted the authority to impose standards.

The 1792 Militia Law remained in effect for 111 years. It required all males between the ages of 18 to 45 to enroll. Volunteer companies of men, who would buy their own uniforms and equipment, were also authorized. The federal government would provide limited funds for weapons and ammunition.

Lafayette And The National Guard

New York City, July 14, 1825 - The 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment of Artillery, New York State Militia welcomes the visiting hero of the American Revolution Marquis de Lafayette. To honor him on his day of departure home to France, the unit adopted the name "National Guard" in remembrance of the Garde National de Paris, once commanded by Lafayette during the early days of the French Revolution. Taking note of the unit and its new name, Lafayette left his carriage and went down the line of troops clasping hands. Artist rendering from the National Guard Heritage Series.

During May to June 1806, four companies of artillery were formed in the New York State Militia and were subsequently assigned to the Battalion of Artillery, 1st Artillery Brigade. It was renamed the 2nd Battalion 11th Regiment of Artillery in 1812 and was briefly mustered into federal service for the War of 1812. It was again mustered into federal service in 1814 for a brief period. In January 1825, the unit was redesignated the 2nd Battalion 2nd Regiment of Artillery. In July of that year, the battalion was one of many commands turned out in New York City to welcome the visiting hero Marquis de LaFayette, the French aristocrat who had helped America during its bid for independence and brought France into conflict against the British to aid the new nation. To honor him, the battalion took the name "National Guard" in remembrance of the celebrated Garde Nationale de Paris, which Lafayette had commanded during the early days of the French Revolution.

In 1847, the battalion was reorganized as infantry and redesignated the 7th Regiment. There would be many name changes and new designations throughout its history. Its campaign credits include the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I (Somme Offensive, Ypres-Lys, Flanders 1918) and World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Western Pacific, Leyte, Ryukyus).

New Name For The Organized Militia

In the late 19th century, following the Civil War, more states began naming their militia regiments National Guard. In 1903, landmark legislation opened the way for increased modernization of the militia and increased federal control. It also made the name National Guard official. Congress declared that from then on the organized militia would be known as the National Guard. Also included in the law was the requirement for members to attend 24 drills per year and five days of annual training for which they would be paid for the first time.

The 7th Regiment is one of many historic militia units whose service to state and nation and battlefield exploits helped build a deep tradition. It will be remembered as the first American unit to be named National Guard.

Editor's Note: The official Lineage and Honors of the 107th Support Group, the National Guard Heritage series and the National Guard Bureau booklet "Citizen Soldiers: An Illustrated History of the Army National Guard" by Renee Hylton was used to support this article.