The National Guard In Combat Operations
Abstract
The role of training and mobilizing the National Guard (NG) for combat in defense of our nation is incredibly diverse. This paper will dissect the command challenges, mission and effects, both positive and negative on the active force, states, local communities, and families of NG Soldiers. To simplify this process, the first two chapters will discuss the actions and effects of training NG Soldiers prior to mobilization, while the next two will discuss actions and effects after mobilization. Our NG dates back to well before revolutionary time when the first English settlers brought their cultural influences and English military ideas with them to this continent. One of their ideas included the reliance on a militia of citizen-soldiers who had the obligation to assist in national defense. The basis for the present day NG is the organized militia as described in our Constitution. The President controls all military forces as Commander-in-Chief, and Congress has the sole power to impose the taxes to pay for military forces and the right to declare war. In the militia, power is divided between the individual states and the Federal government. The Constitution gave the states the right to appoint officers and supervise training, and the Federal government was granted the authority to impose standards. In the final analysis, the Constitution established the legal basis for the foundation of a dual military system comprised of citizen soldiers within the state militias, and a professional federal military force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- AD1129830
Entities
People
- Carolina Johnson
- Christopher L. Jenkins
- Emmit B. Gause
- Gustavus D. Dampier
- Lemuell Brock
Organizations
- United States Army Sergeants Major Academy