the military of new france consisted of a mix of regular soldiers from the french army (carignan-salières regiment) and french navy (troupes de la marine and compagnies franches de la marine) supported by small local volunteer militia units (colonial militia). most early troops were sent from france, but localization after the growth of the colony meant that, by the 1690s, many were volunteers from the settlers of new france, and by the 1750s most troops were descendants of the original french inhabitants. additionally, many of the early troops and officers who were born in france remained in the colony after their service ended, contributing to generational service and a military elite. the french built a series of forts from newfoundland to louisiana and others captured from the british during the 1600s to the late 1700s. some were a mix of military post and trading forts.