District of Columbia National Guard
Encyclopedia
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.
The President of the United States
is the Commander in Chief of the National Guard of the District of Columbia at all times. Command is exercised through the Secretary of Defense
and the Commanding General, Joint Force Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard. The Secretary of Defense has delegated his command authority to the Secretary of the Army
for the District of Columbia Army National Guard
and the Secretary of the Air Force
for the District of Columbia Air National Guard
. The Mayor of the District of Columbia
, or the United States Marshal for the District of Columbia, or the National Capital Service Director, may request the Commander in Chief to aid them in suppressing insurrection and enforcement of the law.
Militia, Headquartered in Georgetown, Maryland
, formed 1776 to fight in the American 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.
The Headquarters and Headquarters Company/372nd Military Police Battalion (ARNG DC), which traces its lineage to the Columbian Division, is one of only nineteen Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812
.
Supervision and control of District of Columbia National Guard was delegated by the President of the United States to the Secretary of Defense
pursuant to Executive Order 10030, 26 January 1949 with authority given to the Secretary to designate officials of the National Military Establishment to administer affairs of the District of Columbia National Guard. The Secretary of the Army
was directed to act for the Secretary of Defense in all matters pertaining to the ground component, and the Secretary of the Air Force
was directed to act in all matters pertaining to the air component of the District of Columbia National Guard by Secretary of Defense memorandum, 2 February 1949.
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."
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
based in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. It comprises both Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
and Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
components.
The President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
is the Commander in Chief of the National Guard of the District of Columbia at all times. Command is exercised through the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
and the Commanding General, Joint Force Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard. The Secretary of Defense has delegated his command authority to the Secretary of the Army
United States Secretary of the Army
The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official within the Department of Defense of the United States of America with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and...
for the District of Columbia Army National Guard
District of Columbia Army National Guard
The District of Columbia Army National Guard is composed of 10 units:* 74th Troop Command* 260th Regiment RTI * 33d WMD Civil Support Team* 121st Medical Command* 257th AG Band Army* Mobilization Augmentation Command...
and the Secretary of the Air Force
United States Secretary of the Air Force
The Secretary of the Air Force is the Head of the Department of the Air Force, a component organization within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Secretary of the Air Force is appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate...
for the District of Columbia Air National Guard
District of Columbia Air National Guard
The District of Columbia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. federal district of Washington, D.C. It is, along with the District of Columbia Army National Guard, an element of the District of Columbia National Guard.-Mission:...
. The Mayor of the District of Columbia
Mayor of the District of Columbia
The Mayor of the District of Columbia is the head of the executive branch of the government of Washington, D.C. The Mayor has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Council of the District of Columbia...
, or the United States Marshal for the District of Columbia, or the National Capital Service Director, may request the Commander in Chief to aid them in suppressing insurrection and enforcement of the law.
History
It descends from the 25th Battalion of the MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
Militia, Headquartered in Georgetown, Maryland
Georgetown, Maryland
Georgetown is an unincorporated community in Kent County, Maryland, United States. The former Georgetown located in Montgomery County, Maryland, was incorporated into the District of Columbia when it was created in 1790.-References:...
, formed 1776 to fight in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. After Congress established the Federal District
Federal district
Federal districts are a type of administrative division of a federation, under the direct control of a federal government. They exist in various countries and states all over the world.-United States:...
in District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801
District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801
The District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801 is an Organic Act enacted by the United States Congress, which incorporated the District of Columbia and divided the territory into two counties: Washington County to the north and east of the Potomac River and Alexandria County...
, local Militia units were reorganized again, to form what would become the District of Columbia National Guard.
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...
, a Georgetown
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown is a neighborhood located in northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years...
lawyer, was an artillery officer in this local militia. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Key
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...
went on a mission of mercy to Baltimore, Maryland after the invasion and burning of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, seeking the release of a local doctor who had been arrested for arresting British Army looters. Key
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...
watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in Chesapeake Bay...
, and wrote a poem that became the United States National Anthem.
The Headquarters and Headquarters Company/372nd Military Police Battalion (ARNG DC), which traces its lineage to the Columbian Division, is one of only nineteen Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812
Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812
Nineteen current units of the Army National Guard perpetuate the lineages of militia units mustered into federal service during the War of 1812. Militia units from nine states that were part of the Union by the end of the War of 1812 , plus the District of Columbia, are the predecessors...
.
Supervision and control of District of Columbia National Guard was delegated by the President of the United States to the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
pursuant to Executive Order 10030, 26 January 1949 with authority given to the Secretary to designate officials of the National Military Establishment to administer affairs of the District of Columbia National Guard. The Secretary of the Army
United States Secretary of the Army
The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official within the Department of Defense of the United States of America with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and...
was directed to act for the Secretary of Defense in all matters pertaining to the ground component, and the Secretary of the Air Force
United States Secretary of the Air Force
The Secretary of the Air Force is the Head of the Department of the Air Force, a component organization within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Secretary of the Air Force is appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate...
was directed to act in all matters pertaining to the air component of the District of Columbia National Guard by Secretary of Defense memorandum, 2 February 1949.
Unique Law
Normally Federal lawFederal law
Federal law is the body of law created by the federal government of a country. A federal government is formed when a group of political units, such as states or provinces join together in a federation, surrendering their individual sovereignty and many powers to the central government while...
specifically charges the National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
with dual federal and state missions. Because the Federal Government abolished the jurisdiction of the State of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and the States Rights in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to establish a Federal District
Federal district
Federal districts are a type of administrative division of a federation, under the direct control of a federal government. They exist in various countries and states all over the world.-United States:...
, 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
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
.
The National Guard is the only United States military
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the 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
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the 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
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
or Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
.
When National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
. 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 GuardDistrict of Columbia Army National GuardThe District of Columbia Army National Guard is composed of 10 units:* 74th Troop Command* 260th Regiment RTI * 33d WMD Civil Support Team* 121st Medical Command* 257th AG Band Army* Mobilization Augmentation Command...
- District of Columbia Air National GuardDistrict of Columbia Air National GuardThe District of Columbia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. federal district of Washington, D.C. It is, along with the District of Columbia Army National Guard, an element of the District of Columbia National Guard.-Mission:...
- 113th Wing
- 121st Weather Flight (WF)
- 231st Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS)
External links
- Official website
- Bibliography of the District of Columbia Army National Guard History compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History
- Official DCNG Joint Force HQ Public Affairs Flickr