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Revision as of 15:56, 4 March 2011
| District of Columbia National Guard | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | District of Columbia |
| Branch | National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | D.C. Armory |
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | President of the United States of America; Mayor of the District of Columbia |
The District of Columbia National Guard is the branch of the United States National Guard based in Washington, D.C.. It comprises both Army National Guard and Air National Guard components.
History
It descends from the 25th Battalion of the Maryland Militia, Headquartered in Georgetown, Maryland, formed 1776 to fight in the Revolutionary War. After Congress established the Federal District in District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801, local Militia units were reorganized again, to form what would become the District of Columbia National Guard.
Francis Scott Key, a Georgetown lawyer, was an artillery officer in this local militia. During the War of 1812, Key went on a mission of mercy to Baltimore, Maryland after the invasion and burning of Washington, D.C., seeking the release of a local doctor who had been arrested for arresting British Army looters. Key watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry, and wrote a poem that became the United States National Anthem.
Unique Law
Normally Federal law specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. Because the Federal Government abolished the jurisdiction of the State of Maryland and the States Rights in Washington, D.C. to establish a Federal District, there is no elected Governor to command this Guard unit. This is the only National Guard unit that reports only to the President of the United States.
The National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state or in this case a district status. Those functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of martial law when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control. The National Guard may be called into federal service in response to a call by the President or Congress.
When National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-in-Chief. The federal mission assigned to the National Guard is: "To provide properly trained and equipped units for prompt mobilization for war, National emergency or as otherwise needed."
Units
- District of Columbia Army National Guard
- District of Columbia Air National Guard
- 113th Wing
- 121st Weather Flight (WF)
- 231st Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS)
External links
- Bibliography of the District of Columbia Army National Guard History compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History
- District of Columbia Air National Guard
- District of Columbia Army National Guard
- Official Joint Force HQ Public Affairs Photo Collection
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