Pennsylvania National Guard | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Active | As militia: 1747–1870 As reserve: 1870–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Army United States Air Force |
Role | State Militia Reserve force |
Size | Full Time: 3,500 Part Time: 15,500 |
Garrison/HQ | Fort Indiantown Gap |
Motto(s) | "Civilian in peace. Soldier in war." |
Website | www |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Major General Mark Schindler |
The Pennsylvania National Guard is one of the oldest and largest National Guards in the United States Department of Defense. It traces its roots to 1747 when Benjamin Franklin established the Associators in Philadelphia.
With more than 18,000 personnel, the Pennsylvania National Guard is the second-largest of all of the state National Guards. It has the second-largest Army National Guard and the fourth-largest Air National Guard.[1] These forces are respective components of the United States Army and Air Force.
The Pennsylvania National Guard is also part of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which is headed by Pennsylvania Adjutant General Major General Mark J. Schindler. It is headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania and has facilities in more than eighty locations across the state.