National Defense Act

Definition

An act passed by Congress in 1916 that expanded the size and scope of the National Guard and established Reserve Officer Training Corps programs across the country.

Related terms

Selective Service Act: Passed in 1917, this act required all men between certain ages to register for potential military service - it was essentially a draft law.

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC): A college-based program for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces.

National Guard: A reserve military force that can be mobilized for federal and state missions. It's like a "backup" team for the U.S. military.