National Guard is one of the organizations of the United States Army and Air Force. It is the oldest U.S. military force, tracing its roots back to militias of the American Colonies during the 1600’s. The National Guard is a reserve group. Other civilian reserves, such as the Army, Air Force, and Navy reserves, have no connection with the National Guard.
Each state, each territory, and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard. The National Guard Bureau of the Department of the Army directs Army units. The Department of the Air Force supervises Air National Guard units. About 325,000 men and women serve in Army units of the National Guard. About 105,000 serve in the Air National Guard.
Members of the National Guard enlist voluntarily and are formed into distinctive units. The Army and Air Force supervise the training of the National Guard. State funds provide armories and other storage facilities. Federal funds provide clothing, weapons, and equipment.
Tens of thousands of National Guard soldiers have fought in foreign wars and peacekeeping missions. During peacetime, National Guard personnel attend one weekend of training each month. They also receive two weeks of field training every year. The federal government pays them for the time they spend training.
Guard members have a dual status because they take an oath of allegiance to their state and to the federal government. Until 1903, the state controlled the militia units. The president had to call units into federal service through the governors of the states (see Militia ). The National Defense Acts of 1920 and 1933 extended federal authority. Since that time, the president may order units to active duty for up to two years upon declaring a national emergency, or for up to six months without declaring a national emergency. State governors may order units to active duty during emergencies, such as storms, fires, earthquakes, or civil disturbances. In 2005, for example, the Guard deployed about 50,000 troops to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
