The U.S. National Guard
The National Guard, composed of Army and Air National Guard units, exists in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. The state, territory or district leadership are the Commanders in Chief for each Guard. Their Adjutants General are answerable to them for the training and readiness of the units. At the state level, the governors reserve the ability, under the Constitution of the United States, to call up members of the National Guard in time of domestic emergencies or need. The National Guard’s state mission is perhaps the most visible and well known.
The West Virginia National Guard provides trained, equipped and ready forces capable of mobilizing and deploying in support of federal and state missions.
Our State Mission
The National Guard's state mission is perhaps the most visible and well known. Nearly everyone has seen or heard of Guard units responding to battle fires or helping communities deal with floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms or other emergency situations. In times of civil unrest, the citizens of a state can rest assured that the Guard will be ready to respond, if needed.
Our Federal Mission
During peacetime, each state National Guard answers to leadership in the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. During national emergencies, however, the President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status.
While federalized, the units answer to the Combatant Commander of the theater in which they are operating and, ultimately, to the President.
Even when not federalized, the Army and Air National Guard have a federal obligation (or mission.) That mission is to maintain properly trained and equipped units, available for prompt mobilization for war, national emergency, or as otherwise needed.
The National Guard is a partner with the Active Army, Air Force and other DoD branches in fulfilling the country's military needs.
Since 9/11, the WV National Guard has deployed over 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen in support of overseas global missions.
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