Meeting the Organizational Needs of the National Guard as Part of Transformation to the Future Force
Abstract
The 2002 National Security Strategy of the United States asserted that America's national security institutions must be transformed to meet the requirements of a new era. They must build and maintain U.S. defenses beyond challenge. As part of the total military force and to comply with the National Security Strategy, the National Guard also must transform from the Guard of the past to the Guard of the future. This is imperative to the security of the nation and the state, and to the very relevance of the National Guard itself. This research paper analyzes the current organization of the Guard force down to the lowest level, determines its strategic effectiveness, and discusses how it should change its current organization to meet the transformation needs of the future total force. To be more ready, reliable, essential, and accessible, it must re-balance its forces worldwide. It must organize, train, equip, and resource its units like its active component counterparts with light formations and growth in areas such as Military Police and Information Operations. This growth and conversion will help the National Guard to better respond to homeland defense and security missions, many times in lieu of active component forces. Further, Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams must continue and must be enhanced with full-time assets to better support local civil authorities. The National Guard's role in Northern Command needs to continue to grow and develop as a vital link to defense in the homeland. The Northern Command's use of the National Guard enhances the active component force's ability to conduct homeland defense and warfighting missions abroad as necessary.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431821
Entities
People
- Martha Wong
Organizations
- United States Army War College