The United States National Guard

The National Guard was organized under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code as a reserve military force consisting of active and inactive militia members who still serve in a military capacity for the United States.

National Guard units are stationed in each of the 50 states and U.S. territories and serve as a first line of defense for the country. Each unit is operated under the authority of the governor of the state or territory in which they are located.

Operated as a joint component of the U.S. Army and Air Force, they are known as the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States.

National Guard members may be called up for active duty by state governors in response to emergencies and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and disastrous storms. They may also be called up and deployed as part of the federal armed forces in times of war or national emergencies.

The National Guard can be mobilized in cases of civil unrest, rebellion, or if their is an invasion by foreign powers, especially if the President, along with Congress, deems it necessary to have a contingent of additional armed forces, other than the regular branches of the service, the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force, Coast Guard, put in place.

The National Guard is administered by the National Guard Bureau under the auspices of the Department of Defense. The National Guard Bureau provides the necessary polices, funding, and the training requirements for both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

The Air Force

The Navy

The Marines

The Coast Guard

The Army

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