Our country’s interests are protected by active service personnel, but also by Army National Guard reservists. The nation’s military could not protect our interests, both at home and abroad, without the partnership it enjoys with the National Guard. It’s not a second string military – it is a first rate defense.

The War on Terrorism

Prior to the devastating effect of 9/11 on our country units of the Army National Guard were required to serve only one year cumulative active duty with no more than half of that time served overseas. This worked well to meet peacetime military needs. The effect of the horrible September day changed the world forever, and immediately and dramatically increased our demands on our Armed Forces. Active duty personnel were stretched thin following these attacks however and it became necessary to increase mobilization time for those in the Reserves.

Today Army National Guard units may serve up to two years (twenty four months) of active duty during a six year enlistment period. One weekend a month, two weeks a year used to be the standard for Guards. That’s no longer true, however. In 2008 more than one quarter of our deployed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq are Guardsmen. These troops are now an essential part of our national safety.

Presence on the Home Front

When crises strike at home the National Guard is there. In the event of a hostile invasion our safety will depend on these highly skilled soldiers to protect our interests and repel enemy forces. But the threats to our safety don’t always come from outside our borders. Natural disasters require a quickly deployable, highly dependable, and capable force to protect our citizens. The Army National Guard is just right for the job.

The military offers training in teamwork, problem solving, and crisis intervention unsurpassed by anything offered in the private sector. Army careers have changed exponentially in the last few decades. Military careers were once thought to consist mostly of hand to hand combat skills but reserve and active service positions today include highly skilled, technical and professional career choices always on the cutting edge of technology.