National Guard (United States)

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Seal of the United States National Guard

Active	December 13, 1636 – present
Disbanded
Country	United States
Allegiance
Branch	United States Army, United States Air Force
Type	Reserve military force
Role
Size	443,543 (as of 2021)
Part of	United States Department of Defense
Garrison/HQ	The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia

Military unit

The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of National Guard military members or units of each state and the territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia for a total of 54 separate organizations. All members of the National Guard are also members of the militia of the United States as defined by 10 U.S.C. § 246.

History

The National Guard traces its origins to the militia regiments formed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony on December 13, 1636. These regiments were among the first organized military units in the American colonies. The modern National Guard was established under the Militia Act of 1903, which organized the various state militias into a formal reserve component of the United States Army.

Structure

The National Guard is divided into two primary components: the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Each state, territory, and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard, which can be activated by the Governor of the state or territory or by the President of the United States in times of national emergency.

Army National Guard

The Army National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Army. It provides trained units to the states, territories, and the District of Columbia to protect life and property and to preserve peace, order, and public safety. It also provides units to the United States Army to support national defense missions.

Air National Guard

The Air National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Air Force. It provides air support to the states, territories, and the District of Columbia and can be mobilized to support national defense missions.

Roles and Responsibilities

The National Guard has both state and federal responsibilities. At the state level, the National Guard can be called upon to respond to natural disasters, civil disturbances, and other emergencies. At the federal level, the National Guard can be mobilized to support military operations overseas, provide support during national emergencies, and assist in homeland defense.

Activation and Deployment

National Guard units can be activated by the Governor of their state or territory for state missions or by the President of the United States for federal missions. When activated for federal service, National Guard units are placed under the control of the Department of Defense and can be deployed overseas.

Related Pages

• United States Army
• United States Air Force
• Militia Act of 1903
• Army National Guard
• Air National Guard
• United States Department of Defense
• Governor
• President of the United States