Militia Act of 1903

For example, during the War of 1812, members of the New York militia refused to take part in operations against the British in Canada, arguing that their only responsibility was to defend their home state.

[4] As a result, starting in 1812, the federal government would create "volunteer" units when it needed to expand the size of the regular Army.

[9][10] Several problems were identified with the National Guard during the Spanish–American War, such as units suffering from low levels of training and readiness and a lack of standardization in organizational structure, uniforms, equipment, leader qualifications and professional development.

Root's allies included Charles Dick, Congressman (later Senator) from Ohio and Chairman of the House Militia Affairs Committee, who also served as president of the National Guard Association of the United States.

The National Guard in each state was also required to carry out a uniform schedule of weekend or weeknight drills and annual summer training camps.

The President of the United States was empowered to call up the National Guard for up to nine months to repel invasion, suppress rebellion, or enforce federal laws.

[27] The 1908 law also included the creation of the Division of Militia Affairs as the Army agency responsible for overseeing federal training and administrative requirements for the National Guard.

[28][29][30][31][32] The National Defense Act of 1916, as part of the mobilization prior to U.S. entry into World War I, increased the number of required drill periods from 24 to 48 and the length of summer training camps from five days to 15.

[35] The law replaced the federal subsidy with an annual budget to cover most Guard expenses, including drill pay.