View source for Vermont National Guard

{{Short description|Unit of the US Army National Guard for the State of Vermont}}
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = '''Vermont National Guard'''
| image                         = Vermont National Guard - Emblem.png
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = Logo of the Vermont National Guard
| country                       = {{Flagu|United States}}
| allegiance                    = {{Flag|Vermont|name=State of Vermont}}
| type                          = [[United States National Guard|National Guard]]
| branch                        = 
| dates                         = 1764–1814 (the [[Green Mountain Boys]])<br />'''Army Guard:''' 1860s, 1898, 1917–1918, 1923–present<br />[[Vermont Air National Guard|'''Air Guard:''']] 1946–present
| specialization                = 
| command_structure             = Joint Force Headquarters – Vermont<br />[[86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)|86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain)]]<br />124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute)<br />Vermont National Guard Garrison Support Command<br />[[158th Fighter Wing]]
| size                          = Approximately 4,000 (3,000 Army, 1,000 Air)
| website                       = https://vt.public.ng.mil/
| current_commander             = [[Gregory C. Knight]] (Since March, 2019)
| garrison                      = 
| ceremonial_chief              = 
| nickname                      = The Green Mountain Boys
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = Green, gold and blue
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]], [[St. Albans raid|St. Albans]]
| notable_commanders            = [[Isaac Fletcher (American politician)|Isaac Fletcher]] (1824–1825)<br />[[Peter T. Washburn]] (1861–1866)<br />[[William Wells (general)|William Wells]] (1866–1872)<br />[[Theodore S. Peck]] (1881–1901)<br />[[Donald E. Edwards]] (1981–1997)<br />[[Martha Rainville]] (1997–2006)<br />[[Michael Dubie]] (2006–2012)<br />[[Thomas E. Drew]] (2012–2013)
| anniversaries                 = 
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Vt arng.png|border|200px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Joint Force Headquarters shoulder sleeve insignia
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Flag of the Vermont Republic.svg|200px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Flag of the Green Mountain Boys]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=History of The Vermont Green Mountain Boys' Flag |url=https://www.ang.af.mil/Media/Article-Display/Article/3640367/history-of-the-vermont-green-mountain-boys-flag/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ang.af.mil%2FMedia%2FArticle-Display%2FArticle%2F3640367%2Fhistory-of-the-vermont-green-mountain-boys-flag%2F |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225210054/https://www.ang.af.mil/Media/Article-Display/Article/3640367/history-of-the-vermont-green-mountain-boys-flag/ |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Air National Guard |language=en-US}}</ref>
}}
The '''Vermont National Guard''' is composed of the '''Vermont Army National Guard''' and the [[Vermont Air National Guard]]. Together, they are collectively known as the '''Green Mountain Boys'''. Both units use the original Revolutionary War-era [[Flag of the Green Mountain Boys]] as their banner. In 2009, they had 2,600 members.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Hemingway |title=Vt. Guard not part of downsizing push |work=Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, Vermont |pages=1B |date=11 July 2009}}</ref>

==History==
===Colonial===
{{main|Green Mountain Boys}}
Settlers relied on the militia almost from the moment they began moving into Vermont in the mid-1700s.<ref>National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Hampshire, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTMwAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22new+hampshire+grants%22+militia+1749&pg=PA72 ''Register of New Hampshire Society of the Colonial Dames of America''], 1898, page 72</ref> Units were often formed as needed, and usually for brief periods of time. Since most Vermonters had obtained land grants from [[New Hampshire]]'s governor, they relied on the militia to resist attempts by the government of [[New York (state)|New York]] to exert control over the grants.<ref>Ron Miller, Rob Williams, editors, [https://books.google.com/books?id=cZP1oWMMhRoC&dq=%22new+hampshire+grants%22+militia+new+york+land+grants&pg=PA192 ''Most Likely to Secede''], 2013, page 192</ref> However, Vermonters were also willing to work with the [[British Empire|British]] colonies when it suited them, and several early Vermont settlers served as militia in the [[French and Indian War]].<ref>Francis Smith Eastman, [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_aY0UAAAAYAAJ/page/n41 <!-- pg=34 quote="new hampshire grants" first settlers. --> ''A History of Vermont''], 1828, pages 27–28</ref><ref>Miriam Irene Kimball, [https://books.google.com/books?id=nM0WAAAAYAAJ&dq=vermont+%22french+and+indian+war%22&pg=PA46 ''Vermont for Young Vermonters''], 1908, pages 44 to 52</ref>

In the late 1760s and early 1770s, the militia took on a more organized structure and formalized its name, the Green Mountain Boys,<ref>Fletcher Haulley, [https://books.google.com/books?id=2stE3ysbp4YC&dq=%22new+hampshire+grants%22+militia&pg=PA39 ''A Primary Source History of the Colony of New Hampshire''], 2005, page 39</ref> with [[Ethan Allen]] appointed as [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] and commandant, and [[Seth Warner]] and [[Remember Baker]] as [[Company (military unit)|company]] commanders with the rank of [[Captain (United States)#Captain (Ground and Air Forces)|Captain]]. In Vermont's pre-Revolutionary War days, the legislature or committee of safety would generally call out the militia as needed, its members would elect their leaders, and the legislature or committee of safety would confirm them. On occasion, the elections by members were not ratified. Perhaps the most noteworthy example of this occurred in 1775, when the Green Mountain Boys became part of the [[Continental Army]], and the committee of safety selected Warner over Allen as colonel and commander.<ref>Daniel Chipman, [https://archive.org/details/memoircolonelse00unkngoog/page/n117 <!-- pg=114 quote="ethan allen" passed over "seth warner". --> ''Memoir of Colonel Seth Warner''], 1848, page 156</ref>

Since Vermont was not part of the British colonies that declared independence, the [[Continental Congress]] did not automatically accept Allen's and Warner's request for the Green Mountain Boys to be directly accessed into the army. Instead, they asked Allen and Warner to work through New York's Provincial Congress to facilitate the process.<ref>Brenda Haugen, Andrew Santella, [https://books.google.com/books?id=2oQFr6jVx18C&dq=%22seth+warner%22+%22ethan+allen%22+%22continental+congress%22&pg=PA68 ''Ethan Allen: Green Mountain Rebel''], 2005, pages 68–69</ref> New York agreed and provided uniforms, equipment and pay, as well as authorizing officer's commissions.<ref>New York Secretary of State, [https://books.google.com/books?id=u-81AQAAMAAJ&dq=%22green+mountain+boys%22+%22new+york%22+%22provincial+congress%22&pg=PA61 ''New York in the Revolution as Colony and State''], 1808, page 61</ref><ref>Benson John Lossing, [https://books.google.com/books?id=kfM_AAAAYAAJ&dq=%22green+mountain+boys%22+%22new+york%22+%22provincial+congress%22&pg=PA155 ''The Pictorial Field-book of the Revolution''], Volume 1, 1855, page 155</ref> When Allen was denied the command, he met with [[Major General (United States)|Major General]] [[Philip Schuyler]] and offered to serve in any capacity—with a commission or without, with pay or without. Overcoming his previous misgivings about Allen, Schuyler accepted, and Allen was appointed a [[Lieutenant Colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] in the Continental Army.<ref>Willard Sterne Randall, [https://books.google.com/books?id=bdE4Q3EGCVYC&dq=%22ethan+allen%22+staff+philip+schuyler&pg=PT554 ''Ethan Allen: His Life and Times''], 2011</ref>

When Schuyler gave up command temporarily because of illness he was succeeded by [[Richard Montgomery]]. Montgomery allowed Allen to attempt to raise troops for an invasion of [[Canada]]. Allen was captured at the [[Battle of Longue-Pointe]]<ref>William Henry Atherton, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Zyw-1lj0U44C&dq=%22ethan+allen%22+captured+longue-pointe&pg=PA70 ''Under British Rule, 1760–1914''], 1914, pages 70–73</ref> and spent over two years as a prisoner of war.<ref>Philip K. Jason, Mark A. Graves, editors, [https://books.google.com/books?id=JO4Bu8aCAfwC&dq=%22ethan+allen%22+prisoner+of+war&pg=PA13 ''Encyclopedia of American War Literature''], 2001, page 13</ref>

With the Green Mountain Boys called to active duty, Vermont reorganized its militia to defend the border with [[Canada]] and protect Vermont from invasion. After Allen's release, he returned to Vermont and was appointed commander of the reorganized militia.<ref>Randall, ''Ethan Allen: His Life and Times''</ref> [[Roger Enos]], the father-in-law of [[Ira Allen]], and a veteran of over twenty years in the [[Connecticut]] and Vermont militias, was later appointed commander with the rank of [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadier General]], and he was later promoted to [[Major General (United States)|Major General]].<ref>John J. Duffy, Samuel B. Hand, Ralph H. Orth, editors, [https://books.google.com/books?id=uTBCXqOou0YC&dq=%22roger+enos%22+commander+vermont+militia&pg=PA115 ''The Vermont Encyclopedia''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424073530/https://books.google.com/books?id=uTBCXqOou0YC&pg=PA115&dq=%22roger+enos%22+commander+vermont+militia&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fjcAUt6mKu2x4AODmIDYCQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22roger%20enos%22%20commander%20vermont%20militia&f=false |date=April 24, 2016 }}, 2003, page 115</ref>

===Statehood===
After [[Vermont]] attained statehood, its militia was organized into several divisions. The [[Governor of Vermont|governor]] served as head of the militia, with the title "Captain General and Commander in Chief", and the division commanders, who held the rank of major general, reported to the [[State adjutant general|adjutant general]], who reported to the governor.<ref>Vermont General Assembly, [https://books.google.com/books?id=_4swAQAAMAAJ&dq=vermont+militia+governor+captain+general&pg=PA559 ''The Revised Statutes of the State of Vermont Passed November 19, 1839''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704230141/https://books.google.com/books?id=_4swAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA559&dq=vermont+militia+governor+captain+general&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4FYAUr-dArLH4APEx4DwBg&ved=0CFAQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=vermont%20militia%20governor%20captain%20general&f=false |date=July 4, 2014 }}, 1840, pages 559–560</ref> Noteworthy among the individuals who commanded divisions during this period was [[Martin Chittenden]], the son of [[Thomas Chittenden]], Vermont's first governor.<ref>Vermont General Assembly, [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_SdwNAQAAMAAJ/page/n47 <!-- pg=38 quote="martin chittenden" division commander major general. --> ''Records of the Council of Safety and Governor and Council of the State of Vermont''], Volume 5, 1877, page 38</ref>

Though most Vermonters did not support fighting the British in the [[War of 1812]], preferring the economic prosperity they derived from trade with the British dominion of Canada,<ref>Spencer C. Tucker, [https://books.google.com/books?id=VljA5QEI9_wC&dq=vermont+opposed+%22war+of+1812%22&pg=PA743 ''The Encyclopedia Of the War Of 1812''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528102932/https://books.google.com/books?id=VljA5QEI9_wC&pg=PA743&dq=vermont+opposed+%22war+of+1812%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BFgAUufLBset4AOn5oH4Dw&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=vermont%20opposed%20%22war%20of%201812%22&f=false |date=May 28, 2014 }}, 2012, pages 742–743</ref> units of the state militia were mobilized after the British invaded upstate New York, with General [[Samuel Strong (Vermont politician)|Samuel Strong]] of [[Vergennes, Vermont|Vergennes]] leading a successful Vermont Militia attack at [[Battle of Plattsburgh|Plattsburgh]] as part of an American effort that resulted in a British retreat.<ref>Carl Edward Skeen, [https://books.google.com/books?id=bBFn7PAjjokC&dq=vermont+militia+%22samuel+strong%22+%22war+of+1812%22&pg=PA116 ''Citizen Soldiers in the War of 1812''], 1999, pages 116–117</ref>

[[Martin Chittenden]] served in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] from 1803 to 1813, and as governor from 1813 to 1815. As one of the majority of Vermonters who opposed U.S. involvement in the War of 1812, in November, 1813 he issued an order for Vermont Militia units that had been mobilized and sent to New York to return immediately to Vermont, arguing that the federal government had no right to command state militia troops, and that the militia was needed to guard Vermont's border with Canada.<ref name="Stuart">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hzEIwCfT7vsC&q=vermont+militia+%22martin+chittenden%22+recall&pg=PA91 |title=Civil-military Relations During the War of 1812 |publisher=Praeger |author=Stuart, Reginald C. |author-link=Reginald C. Stuart |year=2009 |pages=91 |isbn=978-0275982003}}</ref> The commander in Plattsburgh, General Jacob Davis of [[Milton, Vermont|Milton]], positively refused, countering that once the militia was ordered into federal service, it was no longer subject to the governor's orders.<ref>William T. Doyle, [https://books.google.com/books?id=C3HWXxwAwxUC&q=%22jacob+davis%22 ''The Vermont Political Tradition''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627150229/https://books.google.com/books?ei=_VkAUpG1IrWz4AOz7oGoBg&id=C3HWXxwAwxUC&dq=vermont+militia+%22jacob+davis%22+recall&q=%22jacob+davis%22 |date=June 27, 2014 }}, 1987, page 288</ref>

U.S. forces, including the Vermont Militia, remained encamped near Plattsburgh until they returned home in December, and Chittenden took no action against Davis. U.S. House members from [[Kentucky]] who supported the War of 1812 introduced resolutions calling for criminal charges to be pursued against Chittenden, which were never acted on, but Vermont public opinion on the war had changed and Vermonters demonstrated their displeasure with Chittenden's stance by defeating his bid for a third one-year term in 1815.<ref>Donald R. Hickey, [https://books.google.com/books?id=oxpScZjdk8kC&dq=%22martin+chittenden%22+kentucky+legislature&pg=PA271 ''The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627150219/https://books.google.com/books?id=oxpScZjdk8kC&pg=PA271&dq=%22martin+chittenden%22+kentucky+legislature&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aloAUqXCM5L64APDhIDIDQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22martin%20chittenden%22%20kentucky%20legislature&f=false |date=June 27, 2014 }}, 2012, page 271</ref><ref>Austin Jacobs Coolidge, John Brainard Mansfield, editors, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Jr9PAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22martin+chittenden%22+%22jonas+galusha%3A+governor+election+1815&pg=PA996 ''A History and Description of New England, General and Local'']  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926140613/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jr9PAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA996&dq=%22martin+chittenden%22+%22jonas+galusha%3A+governor+election+1815&hl=en&sa=X&ei=cFsAUs-9A7HJ4APzpIGADA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA |date=September 26, 2014 }}, Volume 1, 1859, page 996</ref>

In the wake of the War of 1812, the federal government attempted to standardize training and laws governing call up and mobilization for militia organizations throughout the United States. As a result, state governors were no longer in direct command with military rank, but appointed an [[state adjutant general|adjutant general]] who reported directly to the governor and served as commander of the state militia. As with other states, Vermont's adjutant general was originally appointed by the governor. Subsequent changes to Vermont law conferred this appointment power on the state legislature, which still elects the adjutant general every two years. (A few other states also modified their selection process. As one example, until 2014 the adjutant general in South Carolina was elected statewide directly by the voters.)

The Vermont adjutant general's office was marked in the 1820s and 1830s by efforts to reenergize the militia after interest started to lapse following the War of 1812.

In the 1830s and 1840s militia activity nationwide was on the wane, largely the result of the long period of relative peace that followed the War of 1812. Militia membership, once compulsory, was rife with exemptions. Regular drills were replaced by once a year "muster days" that were more picnic than military formation. Vermont was no exception, and its militia records for this era are incomplete.

In the late 1830s the Vermont Legislature began to reenergize its military.

From the late 1830s on, the office worked in conjunction with the faculty of [[Norwich University]] to reorganize and obtain funding for the militia, and convened annual meetings of like-minded individuals to plan ways to increase participation.

===Civil War===
H. H. Baxter, Vermont's adjutant general in the late 1850s and early 1860s, was commended for taking measures to prepare the militia for mobilization in anticipation of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. At the outbreak of hostilities his office oversaw recruiting, equipping and training of federal volunteers, and mustered in the first Vermonters activated for wartime service, the [[1st Vermont Infantry]] Regiment.

During the Civil War [[Peter T. Washburn]], Baxter's successor, earned accolades for bringing order to the process of recruiting, equipping, training and transporting recruits for the [[Union Army]], working with Norwich University to develop a process that was later adopted by other Union states.

During the Civil War, the Vermont militia was formed into the [[1st Vermont Brigade]] and [[2nd Vermont Brigade]] and served most notably in the battles of [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]] (July 1863), [[Battle of the Wilderness|Wilderness]] (May 1864), and [[Battle of Cedar Creek|Cedar Creek]] (October 1864).

===Post Civil War===
After the Civil War, successive Vermont Adjutants General initiated efforts to obtain benefits for Vermont's Civil War veterans, including establishment of the Vermont Soldiers' Home.

In the late 1890s, the Adjutant General of Vermont was responsible for preparing Vermont units to take part in the [[Spanish–American War]] (1898).

===20th century===
In the early 1900s a major project undertaken by Vermont's adjutants general was a renovation and cataloging of the Vermont National Guard's archives, including muster rolls, payrolls and unit rosters dating back to the Revolution.

===Two World Wars===
[[Herbert Thomas Johnson|Herbert Johnson]] became acting adjutant general in 1917 when the incumbent resigned to join the regular army for [[World War I]]; then adjutant general in 1919. He served for 24 years, and remained Vermont's longest-serving adjutant general.

During [[World War I]] (1917–1918), Vermont National Guard units served with the [[26th Infantry Division (United States)|26th Infantry Division]] (a.k.a. the "Yankee" Division).

Johnson and his staff oversaw the construction of 12 new armories and the modernizing and reorganizing of the Vermont National Guard after World War I. Johnson also advocated improved relations between the regular army and the National Guard, including the standardization of training and unit organizations.

During the [[Great Vermont Flood of 1927|Flood of 1927]], the Vermont National Guard overcame the downing of telephone and telegraph lines by following Johnson's directive to operate on their own initiative during recovery efforts, and the National Guard took part in evacuations of people from flooded areas, clearing roads, and providing food, water and other emergency aid.

In the early to mid-1930s Johnson worked to maintain funding for the National Guard while states and the federal government struggled with the loss of revenue caused by the Great Depression. These efforts to preserve the Guard's readiness and force structure were later acknowledged by historians to have played an important part in the Army's rapid response after the US entered [[World War II]].

===World War II and the Korean War===
Johnson and his successor, [[Murdock A. Campbell|Murdoch Campbell]], received accolades for organizing the volunteer [[Vermont State Guard]] that performed many state duties while National Guard soldiers were deployed in the [[European Theater (World War II)|European]] and [[Pacific Theater (World War II)|Pacific]] Theaters during World War II.

During [[World War II]] (1941–1945), Vermont National Guard units served with the [[43rd Infantry Division (United States)|43rd Infantry Division]] (a.k.a. the "Winged Victory" Division) in the Pacific Theater of War, notably in the Solomons and on Luzon in the Philippines. The 2nd Battalion of the 172nd Infantry Regiment earned a [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] for combat actions during the Battle of the Ipo Dam, Luzon in mid May 1945.

Campbell also received credit for successfully deploying the Vermont National Guard during the [[Korean War]], organizing the [[Vermont Air National Guard]], modernizing armories, and converting Vermont units from [[Infantry Branch (United States)|Infantry]] to [[Armor Branch (United States)|Armor]].

Vermont National Guard units were deployed to Germany during the Korean War.

===Cold War era===
In 1964 the [[86th Armored Brigade (United States)|86th Armored Brigade]] was established as a separate brigade of the Vermont Army National Guard.

In September 1966 Adjutant General Francis W. Billado died.<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[United Press International]] |date=September 14, 1966 |title=Gen. Billado Dies Suddenly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner-billado/126054734/ |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |location=Bennington, VT |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> From September until December Deputy Adjutant General Reginald Cram acted as adjutant general.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 15, 1966 |title=Brig. Gen. Cram Actibng Vermont Adjutant General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-acting-adjutan/126054814/ |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |location=Burlington, VT |page=12 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In December, 1966 Democratic Governor [[Philip Hoff]] named [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadier General]] Wayne Page, commander of the 86th Armored Brigade, business executive and chairman of the [[Lamoille County, Vermont|Lamoille County]] [[Vermont Republican Party|Republican Party]], to temporarily fill the adjutant general's position.<ref name="Brews">{{cite news |agency=[[United Press International]] |date=December 1, 1966 |title=Controversy Brews: Hoff Accepts Cram's Resignation As Acting Adjutant General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner-brews/126054027/ |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |location=Bennington, VT |page=14 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Cram resigned as deputy adjutant general when Page was sworn in, and then campaigned against Page in the Republican-controlled [[Vermont General Assembly]] for a full term as adjutant general.<ref name="Rebuke">{{cite news |last=Terry |first=Stephen C. |date=February 17, 1967 |title=Gen. Cram Wins Military Job In Rebuke To Hoff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-cram/126054179/ |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |location=Rutland, VT |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In an upset, Cram defeated Page in the legislature's February, 1967 secret ballot election, ending Page's three-month tenure.<ref name="Rebuke"/> Cram served until 1981, while Page retired from the military.<ref>{{cite news |last=Karvelas |first=David |date=February 20, 1981 |title=Morrisey Reappointed; Edwards Named Adjutant |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-adjutant/126054631/ |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |location=Burlington, VT |page=1A |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 28, 2001 |title=Obituary, Brig. Gen. Wayne H. Page |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-wayne-page/126054506/ |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |location=Burlington, VT |page=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Subsequent reorganizations of the National Guard resulted in the 86th Armored Brigade, which had been a separate organization, becoming part of the 50th Armored Division, then the 26th Infantry Division, and later the 42nd Infantry Division.<ref>John B. Wilson, Center for Military History, [https://books.google.com/books?id=tGAarOMP5VMC&dq=86th+brigade+vermont+50th+armored+division&pg=PA378 ''Armies, Corps, Divisions, and Separate Brigades''], 1999, pages 378-379</ref>

On 1 September 1982, the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment was activated as a mountain warfare unit, a unique unit in the army.

Several Vermont National Guard organizations were activated for Operation Desert Storm, including the 131st Engineer Company, which served in [[Southwest Asia]]. The 131st Engineer Company had also been activated for federal service during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>Center of Military History, [http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/eng/0131enco.htm Lineage and Honors Information, 131st Engineer Company] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074211/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/eng/0131enco.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}, May 10, 2011</ref>

In 1997 the Vermont National Guard made history when [[Martha Rainville]] became the first woman to ever serve as a state adjutant general.<ref>M. D. Drysdale, Randolph Herald, [http://www.ourherald.com/news/2006-10-19/Front_page/f04.html Rainville Makes Her Move In Run for Congress] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402210201/http://www.ourherald.com/news/2006-10-19/Front_page/f04.html |date=April 2, 2016 }}, October 19, 2006</ref>

The Vermont National Guard also continued to perform its state mission, including responding after a [[North American Ice Storm of 1998|massive ice storm in 1998]].<ref>Mitch Wertlieb, Vermont Public Radio, [http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/78794/remembering-ice-storm-january-1998/ Remembering the Ice Storm of January 1998] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093342/http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/78794/remembering-ice-storm-january-1998/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}, January 4, 2008</ref>

==21st century==
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Vermont Army and Air National Guard members performed missions in support of Operations [[Operation Noble Eagle|Noble Eagle]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom|Enduring Freedom]] in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] and [[Iraq War|Iraq]].<ref>Wilson Ring, Associated Press, ''Rutland Herald'', [https://archive.today/20130711160301/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MCNP&p_multi=RHDB&p_theme=mcnp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10D83C83321A1878&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Dean Calls Out Vermont Guard], September 28, 2001</ref><ref>Steve Zind, National Public Radio, [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5485929 Guardsmen Return to Vermont from Iraq, Slowly] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082603/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5485929 |date=March 4, 2016 }}, June 14, 2006</ref><ref>Vermont Public Radio, [http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/71743/vermont-national-guard-soldiers-return-from-afghan/ Vermont National Guard Soldiers Return from Afghanistan] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185625/http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/71743/vermont-national-guard-soldiers-return-from-afghan/ |date=October 29, 2013 }}, September 3, 2004</ref><ref>Vermont Public Radio, [http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/66651/vermont-air-guard-deploys-squadron-to-afghanistan/ Vermont Air Guard Deploys Squadron to Afghanistan] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195605/http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/66651/vermont-air-guard-deploys-squadron-to-afghanistan/ |date=October 29, 2013 }}, January 11, 2002</ref><ref>Sandy Vondrasek, Rutland Herald, [http://www.ourherald.com/news/2010-01-07/Front_Page/Guard_Troops_Begin_Journey_to_Afghanistan_001.html Guard Troops Begin Journey to Afghanistan] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403213750/http://www.ourherald.com/news/2010-01-07/Front_Page/Guard_Troops_Begin_Journey_to_Afghanistan_001.html |date=April 3, 2016 }}, January 7, 2010</ref><ref>''Boston Globe'', [https://archive.today/20130711160323/http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2010/11/21/vt_guard_units_headed_home/ Vt Guard Units Headed Home], November 21, 2010</ref>

1st Battalion, [[86th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)|86th Field Artillery]] was inactivated in 2010. 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery is now the artillery battalion assigned to the 86th Brigade, and the battalion includes one battery in Vermont.

1st Battalion, 172nd Armor and 2nd Battalion, 172nd Armor were both inactivated as the result of the 86th Brigade's conversion to Infantry. Most units were reconfigured as parts of 1-172 Cavalry or the 86th Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

In July 2023, [[Tracey Poirier]], the Vermont National Guard's director of the joint staff, was promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]], the first woman to attain general officer's rank in the Vermont Army National Guard.<ref name="VTNGBio">{{cite web |url=https://vt.public.ng.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Bio-Article-View/Article/2277840/colonel-tracey-poirier/ |title=Biography, Colonel Tracey Poirier, Director of the Joint Staff  |date=2021 |website=vt.public.ng.mil |publisher=Vermont National Guard |location=Colchester, VT |access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Historic">{{cite news |last=Guha |first=Auditi |date=July 29, 2023 |title=Vermont National Guard: Woman receives historic promotion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-news-promotion/131290860/ |work=[[Valley News]] |location=Lebanon, NH |page=A2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Adjutants general==
In the 1790s Vermont created the positions of adjutant general, inspector general and quartermaster general.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mountvernon.org/education/primary-source-collections/primary-source-collections/article/militia-act-of-1792/ |title=Militia Act of 1792 |website=George Washington's Mount Vernon |publisher= Mount Vernon Ladies' Association |location=Mount Vernon, VA |access-date=December 10, 2023}}</ref> Sometimes one individual filled all three positions, and sometimes they were filled separately.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 29, 1837 |title=An act, for regulating and governing the Militia of this State |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/vermont-chronicle-militia/136579592/ |work=Vermont Chronicle |location=Bellows Falls, VT |page=4 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/WorkGroups/House%20General/Military%20Affairs/National%20Guard/W~Damien%20Leonard~Vermont%20National%20Guard%20101-%20Background%20on%20Vermont%20State%20Laws~1-15-2019.pdf |title=Vermont National Guard 101: Background on Vermont State Laws |last=Leonard |first=Damien |date=January 15, 2019 |website=Legislature.Vermont.Gov |publisher=Office of Legislative Counsel, Vermont General Assembly |location=Montpelier, Vermont |access-date=December 10, 2023 |page=15 |ref={{sfnRef|Leonard}}}}</ref> The adjutant general (sometimes abbreviated AG for adjutant general or TAG for "the adjutant general") is the senior uniformed military officer in the state, and is responsible for the recruiting, administration, equipping, training, maintenance and readiness of the National Guard.{{sfn|Leonard|pages=7, 15}} The adjutant general oversees preparations for out-of-state deployments when the National Guard is federally mobilized.{{sfn|Leonard|page=7}} The AG also directs the Guard's activities within the state when on state active duty.{{sfn|Leonard|page=10}}

In Vermont the adjutant general is elected to a two-year term by the [[Vermont General Assembly]]. In the event of a vacancy when the legislature is not in session, the governor is authorized to make a temporary appointment. The election previously took place in February of odd-numbered years, and the term started in March. In 2022, the General Assembly passed legislation moving the election of the adjutant general to February of each even-numbered year beginning in 2024, with the two-year term to begin in March. In addition, the legislation details qualifications candidates for the position must possess, including: having attained the rank of [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]]; be a currently serving member of the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, or be eligible to return to service in the Army or Air National Guard; be a graduate of a Senior Service College; and be eligible for federal recognition as a general officer. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/ACTS/ACT140/ACT140%20As%20Enacted.pdf |title=Act 140, Section 10: Election of State and Judicial Officers |author=Vermont House of Representatives |date=May 27, 2022 |website=Legislature.Vermont.gov |publisher=Vermont General Assembly |access-date=June 7, 2023 |pages=10–12}}</ref>

The individuals who have served as Vermont's adjutant general include:<ref>Vermont Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1966, page 4</ref><ref>Vermont State Archives, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120904124302/http://vermont-archives.org/seriesresults.asp?rsCreator=Vermont. List, Portraits of Vermont Adjutants General 1822–1967]}}, accessed September 1, 2013</ref><ref>National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=p4PfAAAAMAAJ&q=wayne+page+vermont+adjutant+general ''The National Guardsman''], Volume 21, 1967, page 38</ref><ref>[[Suzanne Gillis]], Vermont Woman, [http://vermontwoman.com/articles/2004/1004/martha-rainville.html For The Greater Good: Interview with General Martha Rainville] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222034/http://vermontwoman.com/articles/2004/1004/martha-rainville.html|date=March 3, 2016}}, October, 2004</ref><ref>VTDigger, [https://archive.today/20130901161938/http://vtdigger.org/2012/05/10/obama-taps-michael-dubie-adjutant-general-of-the-vermont-national-guard-for-top-northcom-post/ Obama Taps Michael Dubie, Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard for Top Northcom post], Press release, Senator Patrick Leahy, May 10, 2012</ref><ref>''Burlington Free Press'', [https://archive.today/20130901161926/http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BT&Dato=20120803&Kategori=NEWS02&Lopenr=208030803&Ref=PH Vermont Welcomes New Adjutant General Thomas Drew], August 3, 2012</ref><ref>Jennifer Reading, WCAX-TV, [http://www.wcax.com/story/21295699/adjutant-general-vote-held-today Cray Elected Vt. Adjutant General] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015513/http://www.wcax.com/story/21295699/adjutant-general-vote-held-today |date=March 5, 2016 }}, February 21, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=August 16, 1833 |title=Appointment by the Governor: Maj. Martin Flint, of Randolph, to be Adjutant general of the Militia of Vermont, vice gen. Isaac Fletcher, resigned or removed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sentinel-and-democrat-appointment/136579326/ |work=Burlington Sentinel |location=Burlington, VT |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

{{hide|List of adjutants general|
# [[David Fay]] (1794–1822)
# [[Daniel Kellogg (Judge)|Daniel Kellogg]] (1822–1824)
# [[Isaac Fletcher (American politician)|Isaac Fletcher]] (1824–1833)
# [[Martin Flint]] (1833–1837)
# [[Frederic Williams Hopkins]] (1837–1852)
# [[Heman R. Smith]] (1852–1853)
# [[Lewis Samuel Partridge]] (1853–1854)
# [[George Bradley Kellogg]] (1854–1859)
# [[Horace Henry Baxter]] (1859–1861)
# [[Peter T. Washburn]] (1861–1866)
# [[William Wells (general)|William W. Wells]] (1866–1872)
# [[James Stevens Peck]] (1872–1881)
# [[Theodore S. Peck]] (1881–1900)
# [[William H. Gilmore]] (1900–1910)
# [[Lee Stephen Tillotson]] (1910–1917)
# [[Herbert Thomas Johnson]] (1917–1941)
# [[Murdock A. Campbell]] (1941–1955)
# [[Francis William Billado]] (1955–1966)
# [[Reginald M. Cram]] (1966)
# [[Wayne H. Page]] (1966–1967)
# [[Reginald M. Cram]] (1967–1981)
# [[Donald E. Edwards]] (1981–1997)
# [[Martha Rainville]] (1997–2006)
# [[Michael Dubie]] (2006–2012)
# [[Thomas E. Drew]] (2012–2013)
# [[Steven A. Cray]], (2013–2019)
# [[Gregory C. Knight]], (2019–present)
}}

==Naming of Vermont National Guard State Headquarters==
The Vermont National Guard's main site is Camp Johnson in [[Colchester, Vermont|Colchester]]. In 1894 the [[Vermont General Assembly]] authorized purchase of a portion of [[Fort Ethan Allen]] for use as a National Guard training site. In 1898 the 1st Vermont Infantry Regiment mustered there for the [[Spanish–American War]]. In 1900 the Vermont National Guard took possession. This site, christened the State Military Reservation, was named Camp [[USS Olympia (C-6)|Olympia]] for the [[flagship]] of [[George Dewey]], a native Vermonter. It was later named for successive [[Governor of Vermont|Governors]], and used for both individual and unit training and as a staging area for mobilizations. In 1945 the State Reservation was permanently renamed Camp Johnson to honor [[Herbert Thomas Johnson|Herbert T. Johnson]], the adjutant general who led Vermont's military during and in between the world wars, and Vermont's second longest-serving adjutant general.<ref>Vermont General Assembly, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131211114507/http://vermont-archives.org/govhistory/gov/govinaug/farewells/pdf/Wills1945.pdf Farewell Address, Governor William H. Wills]}}, January 4, 1945, pages 3–4</ref><ref>Vermont Historical Society, [http://vermonthistory.org/documents/findaid/johnsonth.pdf Description, Thomas H. Johnson Papers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063038/http://vermonthistory.org/documents/findaid/johnsonth.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }}, 2007, page 1</ref>

==Units==
* [[File:86th BCT (MTN).jpg|38x38px]] [[86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team|86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain)]]<br />(formerly the 86th Infantry Brigade and 86th Armored Brigade (1925–2007, motto "Ready to Go")) is the primary army force in the VT NG.
** [[File:86 Inf Bde DUI.png|25x25px]] [[Headquarters and headquarters company (United States)|Headquarters and Headquarters Company]] (HHC), [[Camp Ethan Allen Training Site]] ([[Jericho, Vermont]])
** [[File:US Army 172nd Cavalry Regiment DUI.png|33x33px]] 1st Squadron, [[172nd Cavalry Regiment]] ([[Vermont]])
*** A Troop ([[Newport (city), Vermont|Newport, Vermont]])
*** B Troop ([[Bennington, Vermont]])
*** C Troop ([[Lyndonville, Vermont]])
*** Headquarters and Headquarters Troop ([[St. Albans (city), Vermont|St. Albans, Vermont]])
*** D Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion (attached) ([[Swanton (village), Vermont|Swanton, Vermont]])
** [[File:102nd Infantry Regiment DUI.png|31x31px]] 1st Battalion, [[102nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|102nd Infantry Regiment]] ([[Connecticut]])
*** A Company ([[Norwalk, Connecticut]])
*** B Company ([[Middletown, Connecticut]])
*** C Company ([[New Britain, Connecticut]])
*** D Company ([[Middletown, Connecticut]])
*** Headquarters and Headquarters Company ([[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]])
*** F Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion (attached) ([[Southington, Connecticut]])
** [[File:172 Inf Rgt DUI.jpg|25x25px]] 3rd Battalion, [[172nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain)]] ([[Vermont]])
*** A Company ([[Jericho, Vermont]])
*** B Company ([[Brewer, Maine]])
*** C Company ([[Milford, New Hampshire]])
*** D Company ([[Westminster (town), Vermont|Westminster, Vermont]])
*** Headquarters and Headquarters Company, [[Camp Ethan Allen Training Site]] ([[Jericho, Vermont]])
*** G Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion (attached) ([[Morrisville, Vermont]])
** [[File:US ARNG 1-157 Inf Reg DUI.png|28x28px]] 1st Battalion,[[157th Infantry Regiment (United States)|157th Infantry Regiment]] (Mountain) ([[Colorado]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Colo. National Guard infantry battalion to become part of new Army Associated Unit |url=http://co.ng.mil/MEDIA/Pages/160324-infantry.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105053316/http://co.ng.mil/MEDIA/Pages/160324-infantry.aspx |archive-date=5 November 2016 |access-date=28 March 2016 |website=co.ng.mil}}</ref>
*** A Company ([[Colorado Springs, Colorado]])
*** B Company ([[Fort Lupton, Colorado]])
*** C Company ([[Grand Junction, Colorado]])
*** D Company ([[Alamosa, Colorado]])
*** Headquarters and Headquarters Company ([[Colorado Springs, Colorado]])
*** I Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion (attached) ([[Windsor, Colorado]])
** [[File:101st Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia.png|35x35px]]1st Battalion, [[101st Field Artillery Regiment]] ([[Massachusetts]])
*** A Battery ([[Fall River, Massachusetts]])
*** B Battery ([[Waterbury, Vermont]])
*** C Battery ([[Danvers, Massachusetts]])
*** Headquarters & Headquarters Battery ([[Brockton, Massachusetts]])
*** F Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion (attached) ([[Southington, Connecticut]])
** [[File:US Army 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion DUI.png|26x26px]] 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion ([[Vermont]])
*** A Company ([[Bradford, Vermont]])
*** B Company ([[Vergennes, Vermont]])
*** C Company ([[New London, Connecticut]])
*** D Company ([[Aurora, Colorado]])
*** Headquarters and Headquarters Company ([[Rutland (city), Vermont|Rutland, Vermont]])
*** E Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion (attached) ([[Hartford, Vermont]])
** [[File:US Army 186th Bde Support Bn DUI.gif|27x27px]] 186th [[Brigade support battalion|Brigade Support Battalion]] ([[Vermont]])
*** A Company (Distribution) ([[Berlin, Vermont]])
*** B Company (Maintenance) ([[Colchester, Vermont]])
*** C Company (Medical) ([[Winooski, Vermont]])
*** Headquarters and Headquarters Company ([[Northfield, Vermont]])
* Garrison Support Command
** 86th Troop Command
*** 131st Engineer Company (HO)
*** 40th Army Band
*** 172d [[Public affairs (military)|Public Affairs Detachment]]
*** Company C, 3d Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance)
*** Detachment 27, Operational Support Airlift Command
*** 172d Military Police Detachment
*** 15th [[Civil Support Team]] (WMD)
* 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute). The 124th Regiment (RTI)'s designation recognizes a former Vermont Army National Guard unit, the 124th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion.
** U.S. [[Army Mountain Warfare School]]
** 2d Battalion (Modular Training)
** 3d Battalion (Information Operations)
** 4th Battalion (Signals Training)

[[Image:GMBvngMacedonia.jpg|thumb|right|305px|Vermont National Guardsmen supporting ''Operation Rising Phalanx'' stand with U.S. and Macedonian troops holding the Green Mountain Boys battle flag in [[North Macedonia]]]]

==Vermont Air National Guard==
The [[158th Fighter Wing]] was formed in 1946. From 1989 to 1997, the wing was an Air Defense Unit, with aircraft on 5-minute alert, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.<ref name="pike1">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/158fw.htm |title=158th Fighter Wing [158th FW] |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |first=John |last=Pike |date=21 August 2005}}</ref>

Other components of the Vermont Air Guard include:<ref name="pike1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/trade.center/reserve.activations.html |title=Reserve activations: Air Force Reserve |publisher=[[CNN]] |year=2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ng.mil/ngbgomo/library/bio/1544.htm |title=Major General Michael D. Dubie |date=November 2009 |publisher=NG.mil |access-date=2010-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427183900/http://www.ng.mil/ngbgomo/library/bio/1544.htm |archive-date=2010-04-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[134th Fighter Squadron]]
* 158th Aircraft Generation Squadron
* 158th Civil Engineering Squadron
* 158th Communications Flight
* 158th Logistics Group
* 158th Medical Squadron
* 158th Operations Group
* 158th Operations Support Flight
* 158th Security Forces Squadron
* 158th Student Flight
* 158th Support Group
* 229th Cyber Operations Squadron

===F-16 use===
The Vermont Air Guard has used [[F-16]]s since 1986. On Friday November 14, 2008, they retired the longest flying Block 25 F-16C in the United States, tail number 83-1165, which will go on display in Vermont before eventually being moved to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/82882/ |title=Longest flying F-16C flies final mission in Vt. |date=November 14, 2008 |first=Jane |last=Lindholm |work=VPR News |location=Colchester, VT |publisher=[[Vermont Public Radio]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of United States militia units in the American Revolutionary War]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* {{official website|1=https://vt.public.ng.mil/|2=Vermont National Guard}}
* [https://www.158fw.ang.af.mil/ Vermont Air National Guard]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120925125735/http://www.history.army.mil/ARNG/NG-VT.htm Bibliography of Vermont Army National Guard History] compiled by the [[United States Army Center of Military History]]
* Major Tom Slear, [https://books.google.com/books?id=yC4wG9JVdR0C&dq=Tough+Mountain+Warfare+School+file+of+soldiers&pg=PP37 'The Vermont Guard's Tough Mountain Warfare School'], [[ARMY Magazine]], Vol. 39, No. 11, 1989

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[[Category:Vermont National Guard| ]]
[[Category:National Guard (United States)]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Vermont]]