MASG Overview

• Organized under the provisions of Chapter 33, Massachusetts General laws and a component of the Organized Militia of the Commonwealth.
• Commanded by the Governor through The Adjutant General (TAG)
• Composed of prior service and non-prior service volunteers committed to serving TAG and the Army and Air National Guard.
• Comprised of two organizations: the regular and auxilliary branches, both support The Adjutant General through the Director, Massachusetts State Guard.
• Volunteer service within the Commonwealth and may not be called into federal service.
• Headquarters at Milford, with 5 Regional Support Battalions located in Reading, Bourne, Worcester, Westfield, and Pittsfield.

The History of the Massachusetts State Guard

The Massachusetts State Guard has a proud history of service to the Commonwealth dating to before the Civil War. In 1863, the legislature authorized the formation of a State Guard that served through 1866 before being disbanded. Reorganized in 1898 as the Massachusetts Provisional Militia, it served during the Spanish American War before being disbanded in 1899. In April 1917, the legislature again called for the formation of the Massachusetts Home Guard and the name was changed to the Massachusetts State Guard.

During World War II the organization was activated and served until February 1947 when it was deactivated. The Massachusetts State Guard was reactivated on a statewide basis in 1966. Since that time, it has undergone several structural and organizational changes to reflect its changing mission. In June 1994, the State Guard was renamed the Massachusetts Military Reserve.

Since September 11, 2001 and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the needs of the National Guard have changed. Consequently, The Adjutant General ordered the reorganization of the Massachusetts Military Reserve into the Massachusetts State Guard to assist in meeting the needs of the Massachusetts Army and Air National Guard.