The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards.

[citation needed] The Montana Army National Guard was originally formed in 1867.

The Regiment was inducted into the Regular Army in September 1940, and were sent to Camp Murray at Fort Lewis, Washington.

On 7 Dec. 1941 small units were detailed to guard the Washington coastline from Japanese saboteurs.

In September 1945 the Regiment went ashore at Hiro, Japan as part of the occupation of that country.

[1] The Montana ARNG maintained the 163rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (whose roots date back to 1884), until 1988.

[7] In April 2010, the 1st Battalion, 163rd Cavalry received mobilization orders and prepared to deploy to the Middle East for the second time in five years.