New York Guard

For more detail, see List of New York Civil War Regiments

The New York Seventh in Washington, DC, 1861

Many units of the New York State Militia saw service in the American Civil War, after being activated into federal service by President Abraham Lincoln.

The activation of state militia by President Abraham Lincoln led to some conflict with State authorities in command of the units:

With the advent of the Civil War in April 1861, the 14th regiment saw its first war service in guarding the Brooklyn Navy Yard. By mid-April of that year, the "Brooklyn Chasseurs" were ready to leave New York for Washington D.C. Colonel Alfred Wood advised the Honorable Governor Morgan that the regiment was prepared to march and had accepted a three-year federal enlistment. However, the governor would not issue orders for the regiment to leave New York. While encamped at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, Colonel Wood and Congressman Moses O'Dell went to see President Lincoln to secure orders for the regiment to march to Washington. President Lincoln lost no time in issuing those orders to the 14th Brooklyn. When Governor Morgan learned that the regiment was preparing to march, he telegraphed Colonel Wood and inquired "by what authority" did he move his regiment, Colonel Wood coolly replied, "By the authority of the President of the United States."[4]

Following the Civil War, efforts were made to link the varied military units in New York under overall headquarters. As a result of this, the 3rd Brigade, New York State Militia, came into being on August 5, 1886.[5]

On August 3, 1917, the Adjutant General of New York, in order to comply with the provisions of the State Constitution requiring that troops be available to the Governor for the protection of life and property of the citizens of New York, organized a state military force known as the New York Guard. The new force replaced the New York National Guard, drafted in the service of the United States on August 5, 1917. The force consisted of the First and Second Provisional Regiments, guarding aqueducts and other infrastructure in the southern portion (First Provisional Regiment) and the remaining parts of the state.

On January 1, 1919, the Guard numbered 22,000 in active service. After the Armistice, federalized New York National Guard Units were returned to State control.

General Pershing and Private Ruth in Washington, 1924

On May 21, 1924, Babe Ruth joined the New York National Guard and was Assigned to the 104th Field Artillery in Jamaica Queens Armory.

George Herman Ruth, popularly known as "The Babe", "The Bambino", and "The Sultan of Swat", was a member of the 104th Field Artillery in Jamaica Queens. On May 21, 1924* he signed the dotted line for three years and joined the ranks of civilian soldiers.

Babe Ruth was sworn in by Colonel James Austin at the Isle of Safety in Times Square in front of a military tent used for enlistment drives. Once the enlistment papers were filled he symbolically placed them into the open jaws of a horse drawn French 75-millimeter gun. He was then immediately placed under the command of First Sergeant Adrian Jacques who was in charge of the regiment present. He served while he played in the stadium he was destined to rebuild. A May 29 Washington Post article reported that he appeared before General John Joseph Pershing at State, War and Navy building in Washington** once he was fitted and squared away.

104th Field Artillery Armory

The 104th Field Artillery underwent several changes over the years while in active duty. The unit served briefly under Federal control on November 5, 1916 for Mexican border control, then returned to state status on November 15, 1916. In addition, the unit was activated for Federal service during World War I and II. It wasn't until 1917 that the unit received its destination as the 104th Field Artillery and saw extensive service in France.

After World War I, the unit was demobilized but shortly reactivated into the New York National Guard until 1959 when it reorganized as the 104th Field Artillery Regiment. Consolidated 1 September 1992 with the 104th Field Artillery and consolidated unit designated as the 258th Field Artillery, to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 42d Infantry Division.[6][7]

With the advent of World War II, New York National Guard units were federalized and the New York Guard was created for service to the State.[8]

In 1942, former Heavyweight champion boxer Lt Jack Dempsey joined New York Guard.

In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the New York Guard provided security, disaster relief, legal, communications and other services to New York City and the surrounding areas in cooperation with the National Guard. During this period, Major General John F. Bahrenburg was Commander of the New York Guard (his tenure as Commander was from 1999 to 2002).[9]

The New York Guard experienced a resurgence after the September 11, 2001 attacks. New York Guard units were activated after the attacks, performing a variety of missions, including, logistical support to forces stationed at "Ground Zero". Medical units of the Guard worked in conjunction with other DMNA forces providing care at several location including Camp Smith, in Westchester county.

New York Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph Dee fires an M9 pistol during the 35th Annual "TAG (The Adjutant General) Match.

Members of the New York Guard load supplies onto a flatbed as a part of the State Active Duty mission in the Fall of 2017 Hurricane Maria deployment.

Principal occupational specialties of the New York Guard include, communications, engineering, medical and legal services, provided in support of all components of New York State military forces, i.e., the Army and Air National Guards, Naval Militia and the New York Guard, as well as to civil authorities.

Trained and state-certified New York Guard soldiers augment and assist National Guard units in the following missions: weapons of mass destruction [WMD] decontamination – the joint New York Army National Guard / New York Air National Guard / New York Guard decontamination, or CERF, team was activated by the governor for state duty for 11 days during the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City, Military Emergency Radio Network – the Guard is assigned to operate the MERN at various locations to ensure the free flow of information during an emergency, and search and rescue (SAR) a secondary mission to the state. New York Guard SAR teams have been mobilized, for example, in the summer of 2006 to search for a missing camper in the Adirondack Mountains preserve. Selected units and personnel of the New York Guard were called to State Active Duty with pay in response to Hurricane Irene in 2011.

2012 saw the largest deployment of the New York Guard since the September 11, 2001 attacks. Every brigade was at least partially activated for service during 'Superstorm' Sandy. New York Guard members served as equals alongside the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and New York Naval Militia, at one point making up approximately one third of all troops in the field during a two-month deployment.

New York State Guard personnel provide training to the New York Army and Air national guards including first aid and firearms training at Camp Smith training center.

The 244th Medical Clinic works with the NY Army National Guard Medical Command (MEDCOM), augmenting National Guard personnel for in-state MEDCOM missions. These have included screening of National Guard personnel in Soldier Readiness Programs and 'reintegration' programs for both soldiers and their families upon troops' return from overseas deployment.

In addition to its SAR work as a secondary mission under the New York State Defense Emergency Act and Article 2-B of State and Local, Natural and Man-Made disasters Act, engineer units of the NY Guard 10th and 65th Brigades have built facilities for the National Guard.

Civil affairs units provide legal services to about-to-deploy troops such as wills and counseling on legal protections under federal and state law.

The New York Guard augments the capabilities of the National Guard, serving only within New York State. Guard personnel are drawn from almost every profession – from plumbers to professors, clerks and CEOs, persons with long prior military service and those without, and every part of the state.

The headquarters unit of the New York Guard is located at Camp Smith, Cortlandt Manor, New York. Camp Smith is a New York State military reservation. It is adjacent to Peekskill, New York, and about 35 miles north of New York City.

In March 2020, 90 New York Guard members were activated to support National Guard efforts at combating the coronavirus pandemic. State guardsmen were activated to serve in essential command and control roles to support operations throughout New York State.[10]

The New York Guard conducts annual training at Camp Smith.

To join, an applicant must be between 18–62 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and be in good health.[12]

The following are some of the many positions in the New York state guard:

• Medical, including Physicians, Dentists, Nurses, Psychologists, Physical and Occupational Therapists, counselors and allied specialties
• Legal
• Band
• Public Affairs
• Generalist
• Training Cadre
• Logistics
• Training and Operations
• Communications
• Chaplain Corps
• Recruiting and Retention

All New York Guard enlisted recruits, unless they have prior military experience, must attend Initial Entry Training (IET). After completion of one week of IET at Camp Smith, soldiers may take any of the following courses based on their TDA position and rank. Officers, unless they have prior commissioned military experience, must complete the officer's basic course after appointment.

New York Guard Staff Sgt. Joe Dee stands front and center holding the "Sergeant Joe Dee Combined Arms Team Champion' award.

The following schools are offered by the New York Guard.

• Initial Enlisted Training
• Basic and Advanced Communications
• Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (BNCOC)
• Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course (ANCOC)
• Officer Candidate School (OCS)
• Basic Officer Course (BOC)
• Company Grade Officer Course (CGOC)
• Field Grade Officer Course (FGOC)

Most NYG soldiers have augmented their training by taking courses with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and various other local and state agencies.

To reward service to the nation, state and community, government and private organizations provide benefits to NY Guard soldiers.[13] The benefits include:

• Active Military Pay when Activated by Governor for State Active Duty with pay. New York Guard members are paid at the same rate of pay for their rank or grade as their National Guard counterparts.
• Discounts at many civilian stores, eating establishments, and entertainment facilities with your ID
• Free New York State Hunting and Fishing License for NY state residents.
• Job Protections When Called to Duty
• Paid Military Leave (for NY State and Municipal Employees)
• New York State Guard License Plate Eligibility
• Travel Allowances when Activated by the Governor for State Active Duty
• Free Empire Passports to New York State Parks
• Waiver of Toll Road Fees within NY (requires a form provided by your unit)
• Protections and benefits of New York State Patriot's Plan.[14] Many, but not all provisions are applicable to the New York Guard.

Businesses in New York are forbidden from adopting policies that discriminate against members of the New York Guard during the hiring process or after a person has already been hired. Individuals who enforce such policies or in any way discriminate against New York Guard employees in regards to their employment are guilty under New York law of a misdemeanor offense.[15] Employers in the state of New York are required under New York law to grant a leave of absence to employees who are also members of the NYG whenever these employees are activated to take part in drill, training, or an emergency mission. Employers are then required to reinstate these employees to their previous positions of employment when they return from their deployment.[16]

• New York Guard Recruiting site: Resources and forms for applying to the New York Guard.