Viorel
Regular Member
imported post
WheelGun wrote:
To add insult to injury, there are NG units that no longer have an active component equivalent.
But hey, every war that happens overseas will be for America's defense anyway, right?
WheelGun wrote:
Agreed. I wasn't stating what should be, but what is.Viorel wrote:Basically there are two types:
-Regular National Guard (can be activated)
-State Defense Forces (also federally recognized state militia - can NOT be activated)
State Defense Forces came into being when the National Guard was first deployed overseas during World War I. States realized theystill needed a minimal staff to keep thelocal armoriesopen and to protect facilities such as municipal water supply reserviors and power plants.
For the National Guard, deployment overseas in a war zone was never the original purpose of 'federalization.'
Federalization of the National Guard was in case the federal government had to use military force to defend the nation, it could do so with a cohesive, well organized force, instead of using a collection of individual state units.
Federalizing the National Guard and sending them overseas was, and continues to be, a loophole in the law to augment the regualar military forces without a draft.
State Defense Forces have been working side by side with the National Guard units that remain in the States. They do light security work, and assist with legal paperwork and other clerical tasks.
Some state soldiers operate military vehicles on base and construct training facilities such as shooting ranges.
To add insult to injury, there are NG units that no longer have an active component equivalent.
But hey, every war that happens overseas will be for America's defense anyway, right?