It was founded in 1959[1][2] in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution to protect buildings against sabotage from "counter-revolutionary" armed groups and any external threat of intervention.
While MNR members were often assigned noncombat tasks, they played an important role on the frontline during the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and defeating the 1958-1965 Escambray Rebellion.
On 16 April of each year, Cuba celebrates Militiaman Day, in honor of the combatants of this organization who on the same date in 1961, defended the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution, that Fidel Castro had proclaimed on 1 January 1959.
After weeks of training, on 27 November 1959, uniformed in wine-red shirts, gray pants and black berets, armed with the M1 Garand rifles that Fidel had sent them, the boys at the University Student Federation (USF) returned to the Escalanita en masse.
The graduation of the University Militia in January 1960 was done with an ascent up Pico Turquino, where they were joined by Fidel Castro, Celia Sánchez and other revolutionary leaders.