Full-time patriots - 1140th protects at home and abroad

When most people get off work on Fridays after fulfilling their 40 hours, they go home and relax. They may go to a movie, watch some TV or head to the lake.

But the men and women of the Missouri National Guard 1140th Engineer Battalion get off work only to go back to work, training to serve their country if called upon.

"It's very challenging to have two lines of work," said First Lt. Brian Fox, a member of the 1140th since 1996. "But freedom isn't free. It's my way of doing something selfless."

The commitment it takes to be in the National Guard is different from the other branches of the military said Capt. Craig Gatzemeyer, a 17-year member and full-time administrator with the 1140th. "These people give up 40-50 hours a week to their employers in their civilian lives, then they give up their free time with their families to serve their country. That takes great patriotism."

The National Guard traces its roots back to the first militia units organized in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636, and members of the Guard have fought in every major conflict since that time. Currently, the Guard has units in 2,700 communities in the United States. They are organized, equipped and trained to the same standard as the U.S. Army.

The Guard has both a federal mission, in which it is to be ready to be called to war or to assist with a national emergency at any time, and a state mission, in which it is to assist with local emergencies.

The 1140th traces its heritage to units that were originally organized as the Missouri State Guard in 1861 by the Missouri General Assembly.

The 1140th has about 500 members under the command of Lt. Col. John Akers. Some of the battalion's members have served for 40 years, even though those in military service can retire after only 20 years, Gatzemeyer said.