Army National Guard

Army National Guard
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Militia (United States)
Command structure	National Guard of the United States, United States Department of the Army (federal), State military departments (state)

Army National Guard. It is a reserve component of the United States Army and part of the National Guard of the United States, operating under dual state and federal control. Its members are citizen-soldiers who maintain civilian careers while training for military missions. The force can be mobilized by state governors for domestic emergencies or by the President of the United States for federal active duty.

History

The origins trace back to colonial militia systems, notably influenced by the English Trained Bands. The Militia Act of 1792 formally organized state militias, which saw action in the War of 1812 and the American Civil War. The Militia Act of 1903, also known as the Dick Act, reformed these forces into the modern National Guard, creating a federal relationship. Significant federal mobilizations occurred during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The Total Force Policy implemented after the Vietnam War further integrated it with the active duty United States Army. Key legislative acts shaping its development include the National Defense Act of 1916 and the Montgomery Amendment.

Organization

It is organized into units located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Each state's force is commanded by a state adjutant general who reports to the governor. The primary combat formations are brigade combat teams aligned under Army Reserve's First Army for training oversight. At the federal level, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau serves as a principal advisor and represents the interests of the National Guard of the United States within the United States Department of Defense.

Mission and roles

Its dual mission consists of state and federal responsibilities. For state missions, governors may activate it to respond to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, civil disturbances, or other emergencies under Title 32 status. Federally, it can be mobilized under Title 10 status to support active-duty forces in overseas combat operations, such as those in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It also participates in overseas partnership programs like the State Partnership Program with nations such as Ukraine and Georgia.

Training and readiness

Soldiers typically conduct one weekend of training per month (Battle Assembly) and a two-week annual training period. Initial entry training includes Basic Combat Training at installations like Fort Jackson followed by Advanced Individual Training in a specific Military Occupational Specialty. Readiness is assessed through major exercises like Combined Resolve at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels. Units must meet the Army Force Generation model standards to be available for deployment cycles.

Equipment and modernization

It fields a wide array of equipment, including the M1 Abrams tank, M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Modernization efforts align with the United States Army's priorities, such as fielding the M109A7 Paladin howitzer and integrating the Next Generation Squad Weapon program. Communication systems are being upgraded with the Integrated Tactical Network, and aviation units are transitioning to newer models like the UH-60M Black Hawk. Equipment is maintained through a network of state Army Aviation Support Facilities and federal depots.

Notable units and deployments

Historic units include the 29th Infantry Division, which landed at Omaha Beach during the Normandy landings, and the 34th Infantry Division, the first U.S. division deployed to the European Theater of Operations in World War II. More recently, the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment have seen repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Individual soldiers have earned high decorations, including the Medal of Honor, for actions in conflicts from the Battle of the Bulge to the War in Afghanistan.

Category:Army National Guard Category:Militia of the United States Category:Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces