What Sets the National Guard Apart from the U.S. Army?

The National Guard plays a dual role in the U.S. military, serving both local communities and the nation. Typically under state jurisdiction, with the governor as commander in chief, the Guard supports the U.S. Army by providing additional combat units. It is deployed for domestic crises, overseas missions, counterdrug operations, and reconstruction efforts. However, the president can federalize the Guard, bringing it under national control.

National Guard soldiers dedicate one weekend per month to training, along with an annual two-week session. They are often mobilized by state governors to address declared emergencies, such as natural disasters, civil disturbances, or terrorist threats.

Following the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, widespread protests, arson, and looting erupted across U.S. cities in May 2020. In response, National Guard units were mobilized in 23 states and the District of Columbia [source: Soucy]. By June 2020, between 600 and 800 Guard members from five states were called to assist the D.C. National Guard in managing civil unrest in the capital [source: Browne and Starr]. Additionally, Guard troops are often deployed for security operations at borders and airports.

State governors oversee their respective National Guard units, with an adjutant general serving as a liaison to translate the governor's directives into actionable military strategies.

When the president federalizes the National Guard, these troops can be deployed for domestic emergencies, similar to their state-level roles, but without geographical restrictions. For instance, during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Guard units from all 50 states were dispatched to assist in relief efforts. Notably, more out-of-state Guard personnel were sent to Louisiana and Mississippi than those states' own National Guard units [source: Congressional Research Service].

When federalized, National Guard troops can be integrated into the U.S. Army and deployed for active military duty overseas. Notably, 40% of the U.S. Army's combat strength, including 43% of its piloted and unmanned aircraft, is comprised of National Guard personnel [source: Soucy].

During World War I, the National Guard was instrumental in the U.S. war effort. The 27th "Empire" Division, primarily made up of New York National Guard members, and the 30th "Old Hickory" Division from Tennessee and the Carolinas, played key roles in breaching Germany's Hindenburg Line during the 1918 Somme offensive [source: National Guard Bureau]. Between 2001 and 2016, the National Guard saw 780,000 overseas deployments [source: Soucy], with one in six U.S. soldier fatalities in Iraq coming from Guard units.

While the Army National Guard is often the focus of discussions, the Air Force also maintains its own National Guard. The Air National Guard operates similarly to its Army counterpart, with units (typically wings) available to support the U.S. Air Force when activated. This division between the two branches was established during the post-World War II reorganization of the U.S. military.

The National Guard's foundation is rooted in the Constitution, which grants states the authority to form militias and allows the federal government to employ them. Key legislation, such as the 1903 Militia Act and the National Defense Act of 1916, solidified its role. More recently, the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act of 2007 expanded presidential authority to deploy Guard units during emergencies like natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or public health crises, even without state governors' consent [source: Melnyk].

However, the president's authority over the National Guard is not unlimited. Federal law prohibits the use of Guard troops to enforce federal laws within the U.S., except in cases of insurrection [source: Congressional Research Service].

Approximately half of the U.S. states maintain a state defense force, which operates similarly to a militia. These forces consist entirely of volunteers, receive no federal funding, and often rely on members to supply their own uniforms and equipment. While separate from the state National Guard, they may be organized in a similar structure. Although the president technically has the authority to mobilize these militias, state defense forces are generally exempt from federal activation in practice.

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