Army National Guard | |
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Seal of the Army National Guard
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Active | As state-funded militia under various names: 1636–1903 As federal reserve forces called the Army National Guard: 1903–present |
Country | United States |
Size | 350,200 (authorized end strength for Fiscal Year 2015) |
Part of |
United States Army U.S. National Guard |
Garrison/HQ | Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington Hall Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
Nickname(s) | ARNG, Army Guard, The Guard |
Anniversaries | 13 December 1636 (founding) |
Website | www |
Commanders | |
Director of the Army National Guard | LTG Timothy J. Kadavy |
The Army National Guard (ARNG), in conjunction with the Air National Guard, is a militia force and a federal military reserve force of the United States. They are simultaneously part of two different organizations, the National Guard of the Several States, Territories and the District of Columbia (also referred to as the Militia of the United States), and the National Guard of the United States. The Army National Guard is divided into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia, and operates under their respective governors.
The Army National Guard as currently authorized and organized operates under Title 10 of the United States Code when under federal control, and Title 32 of the United States Code and applicable state laws when under state control.
The Army National Guard may be called up for active duty by the state or territorial governors to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, as well as civil disorder.
The District of Columbia Army National Guard is a federal militia, controlled by the President of the United States with authority delegated to the Secretary of Defense, and through him to the Secretary of the Army.
Members or units of the Army National Guard may be ordered, temporarily or indefinitely, into the service of the United States. If mobilized for federal service, the member or unit becomes part of the Army National Guard of the United States, which is a reserve component of the United States Army. Individuals volunteering for active federal service may do so subject to the consent of their governors. Governors generally cannot veto involuntary activations of individuals or units for federal service, either for training or national emergency. (See Perpich v. Department of Defense.)