Texas Army National Guard

History

The Texas Army National Guard has its roots in the Texas Militia formed by Stephen F. Austin at his headquarters village of San Felipe de Austin. Austin was empowered to "organize the Colonists into a body of National Militia" in the 18 February 1823 decree authorizing Austin to form his colony in Mexican Texas. Commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel, Austin organized the 5-company battalion at San Felipe de Austin on 22 June 1824. Three companies were formed on the Brazos River and two on the Colorado. This militia structure formed the basis for several of the volunteer companies raised to fight in the Texas Revolution of 1836.{}

The Militia Act of 1903 organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system. After World War II, the Texas National Guard was reorganized with the 36th Infantry Division and the new 49th Armored Division.

The 49th Armored Division was ordered to active federal service in October 1961 at Dallas, for the 1961 Berlin Crisis, and reverted to state control in August 1962. The 36th and 49th were inactivated in 1968 and reorganized into three separate brigades, the 36th Infantry Brigade, 71st Infantry Brigade and 72d Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (Dallas). The division was reactivated on 1 November 1973, with its headquarters at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas.

McGrath says the 36th Brigade insignia with star was authorized for wear from 10 May 1967 – 1 November 1973, but never worn, because the brigade at the time was designated 71st. The 36th Airborne Brigade was active from 1973, and inactivated on 1 April 1980.

In November 1976 the Texas Army National Guard, in the words of the AG Report 1975-76, was "organized into a State Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Public Information Detachment, the 49th Armored Division, and the Base Units Command of the State," both commanded by general officers. The 49th Armored Division had its headquarters in Austin; comprised three brigades, divisional artillery, and a Division Support Command; and was authorized a strength of 14,854 officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men. Its units were spread geographically across the entire state. The Base Units Command commanded every other unit in the TX ARNG except the division and the 100th Public Information Detachment. It consisted of one support center headquarters, one airborne brigade headquarters [the headquarters of the 36th Airborne Brigade)], one aviation group headquarters (111th), one support group headquarters, three battalions, one engineer dredge detachment, one assault support helicopter company, one air ambulance medical company, and one Combat Support Hospital (117th), with an authorized strength of 2,603 officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel (p. 5).

The 36th Brigade was reconstituted as a divisional formation (36th Brigade, 50th Armored Division) from 1988–92. In 1992 it became the 36th Brigade of the 49th Armored Division based at Houston, TX. It seems likely to have been active between 1992 and May 2004 when the 49th Armored Division became the 36th Infantry Division.

Major subordinate commands

• [[File:36th Infantry Division CSIB.svg|35x35px]]36th Infantry Division
  • [[File:36th Infantry Division CSIB.svg|35x35px]] 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
  • [[File:36th Infantry Division CSIB.svg|35x35px]] 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
  • [[File:36th Infantry Division CSIB.svg|35x35px]] 36th Division Artillery
  • [[File:36th Infantry Division CSIB.svg|35x35px]] 36th Combat Aviation Brigade
    • [[File:US 449th ASB insignia.png|35x35px]] 449th Aviation Support Battalion - based at Martindale Army Airfield - due to move to Kelly Field, Joint Base San Antonio
    • [[File:149 Avn Rgt DUI.png|32x32px]] Company C(-), 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment (UH-60) - based at Martindale Army Airfield - due to move to Kelly Field, Joint Base San Antonio
  • [[File:36th Infantry Division CSIB.svg|35x35px]] 36th Sustainment Brigade
  • [[File:136th MEB.png|35x35px]] 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
  • [[File:US Army 176th Engineer Brigade SSI.png|32x32px]] 176th Engineer Brigade
• [[File:641 Avn Rgt DUI.jpg|35x35px]] Detachment 7, Company B, 641st Aviation Regiment
  • Detachment 49, Operational Support Airlift Command
• [[File:108AvnRgtCOA.jpg|35x35px]] Company C, 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment
• [[File:US Army Security Force Assistance Brigade SSI.png|35x35px]] 4th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade
• 71st Troop Command
  • Special Operations Detachment - Africa
  • [[File:528th Sustainment Brigade DUI 2008-12-16.png|35x35px]] 197th Special Troops Support Company, 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne)
  • [[File:United States Army Special Forces SSI (1958-2015).png|39x39px]] Company A, 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group
  • [[File:United States Army Special Forces SSI (1958-2015).png|39x39px]] Company C, 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group
  • [[File:71st Theater Information Operations Group emblem.png|35x35px]] 71st Theater Information Operations Group (71st TIOG)
  • [[File:71st BfSB SSI.jpg|35x35px]] 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade
    • 636th Military Intelligence Battalion
    • 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion
  • 136th Expeditionary Signal Battalion
  • 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
  • Detachment 1, 178th Cyber Protection Team
  • 136th Regiment (CA) (RTI)
• Medical Command
• Office of the State Surgeon
• Recruiting and Retention Battalion
• State Army Aviation Office
• Army Ground Safety Office
• Training Centers Command

On 1 September 2009, the Texas Army National Guard activated the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, the only Airborne infantry battalion in the Army National Guard. The unit includes the battalion headquarters and headquarters company (HHC), three rifle companies (Companies A, B, and C), a heavy weapons company (Company D), and a forward support company (FSC—previously Company E). Most elements of the battalion are located in Texas, but Company C is located in Rhode Island. Rather than converting an existing TX ARNG unit, the battalion was built from the ground up. The 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment is a separate unit and it is not subordinate to other commands in the state, although it is attached to the 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade for local administration. In 2016 Company B, which was originally located in Bethel, Alaska, was inactivated as part of the Alaska ARNG. Troop C (LRS), 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas ARNG in Terrell, Texas was then used to reform Company B. During the same year, the battalion became affiliated with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy, and adopted the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 173rd ABCT.

Historic units

File:141st Infantry Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|141st Infantry Regiment File:142nd Infantry Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|142nd Infantry Regiment File:143rd Infantry Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|143rd Infantry Regiment File:144th Infantry Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|144th Infantry Regiment File:112th Cavalry Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|112th Cavalry Regiment File:124th Cavalry Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|124th Cavalry Regiment File:131st Field Artillery Coat of Arms.svg|131st Field Artillery Regiment File:133rd Field Artillery Coat of Arms.svg|133rd Field Artillery Regiment

Additional Units

File:49th Finance Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|49th Finance Battalion File:111th Engineer Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|111th Engineer Battalion File:111th Medical Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|111th Medical Battalion File:136th Military Police Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|136th Military Police Battalion File:136th Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|136th Regiment File:136th Signal Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|136th Signal Battalion File:136th Signal Battalion Coat of Arms (Obsolete Insignia).svg|136th Signal Battalion (Obsolete) File:149th Aviation Regiment Coat of Arms.svg|149th Aviation Regiment File:149th Personnel Services Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|149th Personnel Services Battalion File:156th Engineer Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|156th Engineer Battalion File:176th Engineer Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|176th Engineer Battalion File:386th Engineer Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|386th Engineer Battalion File:449th Support Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|449th Support Battalion File:636th Support Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|636th Support Battalion File:649th Military Intelligence Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|649th Military Intelligence Battalion File:949th Support Battalion Coat of Arms.svg|949th Support Battalion File:Special Troops Battalion, 36th Infantry Division Coat of Arms.svg|Special Troops Battalion, 36th Infantry Division File:Special Troops Battalion, 72nd Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division Coat of Arms.svg|Special Troops Battalion, 72nd Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division

References

References

1. . ["Sunset Advisory Commission Staff Report 2018-2019 8th Legislature"](https://www.sunset.texas.gov/public/uploads/files/reports/Texas%20Military%20Department%20Staff%20Report_4-19-18.pdf). *Texas Military Department*.
2. Brian Schenk, [http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/49ad/49division.htm An Introduction to the 49th (Lone Star) Armored Division (1947–)], Texas Military Forces Museum, Camp Mabry, Texas.
3. McGrath, 'The Brigade,' 233. Patch can be seen at http://www.usarmypatches.com/Infantry.htm
4. (May 2023). "[[AirForces Monthly]]". [[Key Publishing.
5. "Texas-based Army aviation unit receives national award".
6. (26 October 2020). "Become a Combat Advisor".
7. "71st Troop Command". Texas Military Department.
8. "TXARNG Soldiers prepare to support law enforcement for protests in Angelton, Texas".
9. "71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade". Texas Military Department.
10. Maruquin. (16 September 2009). "36 ID Stands up Airborne Infantry Battalion". 36th Infantry Division.
11. Richardson, James. (8 May 2016). "Bravo Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment Deactivation". Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs.
12. McBride, Michelle. (14 August 2016). "Texas National Guard Patch Ceremony to initiate Army of One". Texas Military Department.