WHAT HAPPENS IN THE ARMORY?

Recognizing our Citizen Soldier’s this Independence Day

We are accustomed to seeing the brick-and-mortar Army National Guard building on Evergreen Avenue. But what is the FUNCTION of the ARMORY?

It is the home base of the 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment of the NJ Army National Guard.

These CITIZEN SOLIDERS (the men and woman have civilian jobs in addition to performing their military service) need to be ready at a moment’s notice to deploy where needed – in the state or around the world.

Less than one third of one percent of our U.S. citizens are members of the Armed Forces. The full-time military cannot achieve their missions without the support of our Citizen Soldiers. Forty percent of our military force comes from the National Guard and Reserve.

Imprinted in our collective memory are the tragic events of September 11, 2001, with the attacks of the World Trade Center.

Our Woodbury based unit, the Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, were deployed to provide security for the critical infrastructure locations in New Jersey.

When not deployed on an overseas national mission, this unit, along with other units of the National Guard, are tasked with State readiness by having properly trained and equipped units.

The next time you see a man or woman of the 114th Infantry Regiment, take a moment to thank them for their service!

Soldiers with the 1-114th Infantry Battalion, NJ Army National Guard, guard strategic points near the Lincoln Tunnel, Weehawken, NJ November 20, 2021. The soldiers were mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle to provide security at critical infrastructure locations in New Jersey. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)

TAKING COMMAND IN QATAR. Members of the 1ST Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, NJ Army National Guard, assume command for security at Cam As Sayliyah in Qatar on March 16, 2018, relieving a California Army National Guard unit.