During peacetime each state National Guard answers to the leadership in the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia . During national emergencies, however, the President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status. While federalized, the units answer to the Combatant Commander of the theatre in which they are operating and, ultimately, to the President. The state, territory or district leadership are the Commanders in Chief for each Guard. Their Adjutants General are answerable to them for the training and readiness of the units. At the state level, the governors reserve the ability, under the Constitution of the United States , to call up members of the National Guard in time of domestic emergencies or need.

Even when not federalized, the Army National Guard has a federal obligation (or mission.) That mission is to maintain properly trained and equipped units, available for prompt mobilization for war, national emergency, or as otherwise needed.

The Army National Guard is a partner with the Active Army and the Army Reserves in fulfilling the country's military needs.

The Army National Guard's state mission is perhaps the most visible and well known. Nearly everyone has seen or heard of Guard units responding to battle fires or helping communities deal with floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms or other emergency situations. In times of civil unrest, the citizens of a state can rest assured that the Guard will be ready to respond, if needed.

Guard Training
Typically, National Guard members are required to attend one drill weekend each month and one annual training period (usually 2 weeks in the summer) each year. Weekend drills usually consist of one Saturday and Sunday each month, but occasionally include reporting for duty on Friday night. Initially, all non-prior service personnel are required to attend initial entry training (IET), also known as Basic Training. After Basic Training, soldiers go to their Advanced Individual Training (AIT) which teaches them the special skills they will need for their job in the Guard. These schools can usually be scheduled to accommodate civilian job or school constraints.

Training time is precious to Army National Guard soldiers. That's why the Guard uses many unique training methods. From "real-life" training exercises, like rotations at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, to high-tech simulation training and distributed learning, the Army National Guard employs innovative training methods to give its members access to high quality training.

Qualifications to join the National Guard
The National Guard has physical, academic and legal qualifications. You must be in good health and have no major physical handicaps. The minimum age to join the National Guard is 17. Persons under age 18 must obtain the consent of a parent or legal guardian. You must be either currently in high school or have a high school diploma or GED. You must also obtain a minimum qualifying score on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery exam (ASVAB). Soon after you contact a recruiter, they will administer this test to see if you are qualified. Your ASVAB score will also determine which MOS's you are qualified for. Finally, you must have no major criminal convictions. This information is only a basic outline of the qualifications. Before enlisting you will be receive a detailed medical examination and background check. Your recruiter will provide you with more exact information and make recommendations regarding your qualification status. More than 7,000 Army National Guardsmen saw service in the Republic of Vietnam .

Equipment
The Army National Guard uses of a variety of military equipment. Equipment classified in the following categories represents only a small sample of the types of equipment in use today in the Army National Guard.

Air Defense Artillary:

• Avenger
• Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2)
• Patriot
• Sentinel
• Stinger

Artillery:

• 155mm howitzers
• Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)
• M102 105mm Lightweight Towed Howitzer
• M109 155mm SP Howitzer
• M119A1 105mm Lightweight Towed Howitzer
• M198 Towed Howitzer
• M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)
• Paladin
• Striker

Communications and Electronics:

• Combat Service Support Control System (CSSCS)
• Digital Topographic Support System (DTSS)
• Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS)
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Integrated System Control (ISYSCON)
• Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS)

Engineer:

• All Terrain Lifter (ATLAS)
• All-Terrain Crane (ATEC)
• Crush Screen-Wash Plant
• Hydraulic Excavator (HYEX)
• M56 "Coyote" Motorized Smoke Obscurant System
• Palletized Load System (PLS)
• Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU)
• Small Emplacement Excavator (SEE)
• Volcano Mine Dispenser
• Wolverine

Helicopters:

• AH-64A Apache
• CH-47 Chinook/Improved Cargo Helicopter (CH-47F)
• OH-58 Kiowa Warrior
• UH-60A Blackhawk

Individual and Crew-Served Weapons:

• M16A2
• M240B
• M249
• M4
• MK19-3

Mortars and Munitions:

• Javelin
• M-29 81mm mortar
• M224 60mm Lightweight Company Mortar System (LWCMS)
• Tank Main Gun Ammunition

Personal Equipment:

• Meal, Ready to Eat, Individual (MRE)
• Night Vision Device

Tracked Vehicles:

• Abrams M-1A1
• Bradley M2 Infantry/M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle
• M113 Family of Vehicles (FOV)
• M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge

Wheeled Vehicles:

• Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)
• Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HETS)
• Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT)M998 Truck High Mobility
• Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV
  

Missile Defense

National Guard Bureau Missile Defense -- Force Provider
Although the Cold War has ended, the threat of attack on the United States by long-range ballistic missiles remains real - and is growing. In addition to the recognized nuclear powers of the world, numerous other countries have ballistic missiles. Some of these countries are working on adding weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical or biological) to their arsenals. If any of these weapons are ever launched thousands or even millions of lives could be lost. The purpose of the Department of Defense's Ground-based Midcourse Defense program is to develop and potentially deploy an efficient, effective system that detects, tracks, and destroys incoming missiles before they enter our atmosphere.

The National Guard Bureau Missile Defense Cell's mission is to serve as the single point of contact on issues concerning Missile Defense. The Cell is responsible for managing, administering, advising, conducting direct and indirect coordination, and executing the application of resources dedicated to accomplishing the mission of the Missile Defense Program. The Cell also plans and coordinates the tasks required to recruit, train, and maintain the force responsible for defending the United States against a limited strategic ballistic missile attack.

The Missile Defense program needs personnel to fill immediate openings. Soldiers who are interested in being part of the program may, however, elect to be placed on an OML to delay their PCS, training and assignment consideration. Usually PCS and training orders follow about 90 days after selection for a position. To apply for any of the Missile Defense positions, please see the information under the Full-time Title 32 positions section below.

Wolf pups on Camp Ripley

Environmental Program
Throughout our proud history, as the Nation’s oldest military organization, the Army National Guard has protected America –in war and peace – from all enemies, foreign and domestic. We continue to proudly serve the American people not only as a military organization but also as environmental stewards, preserving and protecting the beautiful, abundant natural and cultural environment that is uniquely America. Just as we have stood tall to successfully answer past calls, this challenge, too, is one that we endeavor to meet.

From sea to shining sea, from the Caribbean to Guam, in every corner of our Nation, members of the National Guard family must and will conduct their affairs in an environmentally responsible manner. We’ll strive for environmental excellence in all that we do.

Go BACK