Indiana Army National Guard

• Origins in the Militia: The Indiana Army National Guard traces its roots to 1801, when the Indiana Territory organized its first militia units to protect settlers from Native American attacks. • War of 1812 Service: Indiana militiamen fought in the War of 1812, notably at the Battle of Tippecanoe and during the defense of Fort Harrison. • Civil War Contributions: Indiana supplied more than 200,000 soldiers to the Union during the Civil War, many organized as Indiana volunteer regiments that now trace lineage to modern Guard units. • “Pershing’s Own”: The 38th Infantry Division, headquartered in Indiana, is nicknamed the “Cyclone Division” after a tornado struck during its organization in 1917 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. • World War II Valor: The 38th Infantry Division fought with distinction in the Pacific Theater, liberating Bataan in the Philippines and earning the moniker “Avengers of Bataan.” • Natural Disaster Response: The Indiana Army National Guard has responded to numerous disasters, including the 1913 Great Flood, the 1974 Super Outbreak tornadoes, and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. • International Deployments: Indiana Guard units have deployed in support of peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sinai, as well as combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. • Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy: The Guard sponsors this program to help at-risk youth earn a high school diploma and develop life skills, with its campus at Camp Atterbury. • Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck: Indiana’s Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center are key training sites, hosting joint military, civilian, and international exercises. • Women in the Guard: Indiana women have served since the 1970s, with the state’s first female general officer, Brigadier General Barbara Owens, promoted in 2008.