text: National Guard's 381st Birthday Marked
  
  LATHAM-- Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields commander of the New York Army National Guard (middle) joins Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Michael Blake age 58 the oldest National Guard members present (right) and Army National Guard Spec. Jade Richards age 19 one of the youngest members of the New York National Guard in cutting a cake in celebration of the National Guards 381th birthday at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham N.Y. on December 13 2017. The National Guard was established in 1636 and is the oldest military force in the Department of Defense.