Military defence has several different meanings dependent on what criteria you apply the reference to. The term can be used in an individual sense in respect of a single soldier and what methods the individual soldier takes to defend himself such as; wearing protective equipment, utilising armaments or constructing protection such as a digging a trench or a foxhole.

Defence is also a term used when describing a military unit’s defensive tactics when working against an opposing forces offensive, perhaps by seeking to circumnavigate the enemy position, delay an enemy attack, or to wage a war of attrition whereby the enemy will lose numbers eventually allowing the defensive force to form a defensive line or perform an offensive manoeuvre.

An excellent example of employing defensive strategy tactics can be seen when used against American soldiers in the Vietnam Conflict. The Vietcong employed both regular army units and guerrilla units in order to fight an offensive and defensive strategy. By the use of smaller mobile guerrilla forces the Vietcong waged a war on the resources of the American soldiers, which included destroying supplies and supply routes. They also used the Americans resources when producing booby traps, including discarded items such as tin cans as well as unexploded bombs which they would collect and use for mines.

Eventually the efforts of the smaller mobile defensive guerrillas caused such an effect that the main army was able to overrun the American forces with a massive attack know as the Tet Offensive.

Defensive military strategy is also hugely apparent in the arms race, and more recently the nuclear arms race. The opinion being that with a nation holding such powerful weapons it would be inadvisable to attack unless of course the offensive nation holds weapons of a similar nature.

Nowhere is this example more outlined than in the Cold War stand offs of the mid to late twentieth century. One specific example of this is the Cuban Missile Crisis which involved the US and the Soviet Union in 1962. The Soviet and Cuban authorities had placed nuclear weapons on Cuba as seen by American reconnaissance planes and, with the tension between the two countries already palpable, a standoff ensued with the ‘very real’ threat of a nuclear war occurring. Fortunately diplomatic proceedings ensured that the crisis was settled relatively amicably with the dismantling of the weaponry and a no-invasion agreement in place from the American authorities.

There are many different types of commanders in the Army National Guard. Within most states, there are company, battalion, and brigade commanders. In some states, there are division commanders. Also, all states have an Adjutant General, who is the state military commander.

As a Captain, you would serve as a company commander responsible for 100-200 soldiers.

As a Lieutenant Colonel, you would serve as a Battalion Commander, responsible for 400-700 soldiers.

As a Colonel, you would lead a Brigade and be responsible for 1,800-5,000 soldiers.

As a Major General, you could be a Division Commander in charge of 10,000 to 15,000 troops. Or, you could be the Adjutant General in charge of the entire state military department.

As you can see, there are many different types of commanders within the National Guard.

Most of these leaders are part-time, Citizen Soldiers. They maintain civilian jobs or businesses full-time and tend to their military duties part-time. Most commanders have a full-time AGR staff that handles day to day life within their unit.

As a commander, you can expect to drill one weekend a month minimum. In addition, you will probably visit your unit once per week or more. Also, you will attend meetings and phone conferences.

In essence, you have the same responsibility as an Active Duty Commander, but you have less time to complete your tasks. It is a challenge, but in my opinion, it’s worth it.

The biggest benefit is improving your leadership skills, serving your state and leading soldiers. It’s an experience I will never forget.