Citizen Defenders - National Guardsmen and Army Reservists

"The Reservist is twice the citizen" - Winston Churchill

The September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States resulted in the activation of thousands of Army Guard personnel. A total of 9,600 National Guard men and women were already on duty across the country September 14 when President George Bush approved an order to call up as many as 50,000 members of the National Guard and Reserves. Several hundred citizen-Soldiers supported the operation in New York City alone. Many of the New York Guard troops supporting the massive recovery operation at "ground zero" in lower Manhattan were from the neighboring Bronx. Soon after the attacks Army Guard Soldiers were ordered to the Nation's airports to assist in security. Governors of many states also called on the Guard to protect critical facilities and infrastructure. The mission of Homeland Defense for the Guard is not a new mission.

The Army National Guard and the Army Reserve - Duty Defined

The Army National Guard is made up of reservists - civilians who serve their country on a part-time basis. The Guard has a unique dual-mission that consists of both federal and state roles, although its federal mission, being trained and equipped for prompt mobilization for war or national emergency, is its primary focus. The President of the United States can activate the National Guard to participate in federal missions. For state missions, the governor, through the State Adjutant General, commands Guard forces. The governor can call the Guard into action during local or statewide emergencies, such as storms, fires or civil disturbances. The Army National Guard is a partner alongside the Army and Army Reserve.

Rooted in the tradition of American colonists, the Army Reserve citizen-Soldiers train to Army standards and serve daily as part of the Army thus demonstrating Army values around the world. In recent years the Army Reserve has become the Army's main provider of combat service support (CSS), and a significant source of combat support (CS) forces. Both Congressional and Presidential action are required for full mobilization of units. As a Federal Force, Army Reservists can be seamlessly integrated into the active Army without involving multiple levels of government, and provide cost-effective support to the National Security Strategy in times of changing priorities and fiscal constraints. Currently, the Army Reserve is adapting to new challenges by establishing units to combat information warfare and chemical/biological weapons.

"Twice the Citizen"

The citizen-Soldiers - carpenters, teachers, house-wives, doctors, engineers and others - who make up the Army Reserve's 2,000 units drill in 1,500 Army Reserve Centers located in communities throughout the country. During weekend drills they hone their military skills so that they are ready for their first mission, defending the nation. They also contribute to their communities. This is the "return on investment" our communities receive from Army Reservists' training and experience. The leadership and organizational skills they learn as Army Reservists carry over into the contributions they make to their communities. When they collect and distribute food and clothing for the homeless, help with outreach programs for veterans and participate in Habitat for Humanity projects, they are giving back to the community and fulfilling their roles as good citizens.

Sources:
The Army National Guard - September 2001
The Army National Guard - Protecting Our World, Our Federal Mission
U.S. Army Reserve - A Federal Force - Brochure