What is a National Guard For?

To Guard its NATION

Well, you wouldn’t know it, if you read this - GA National Guard has been sent to protect Israel (not a bad choice of ally, for Federal troops - just not the state guards). Three Americans from GA died in a Iran-sponsored attack.

It’s long past time to de-couple the states’ home guards - what USED to be called the State Guard - from their co-optation by the Federal government.

It SEEMED like a good idea. The state guards would work in that state, but subject to being called up by the President - no Congressional authorization needed, just ‘a stroke of the pen’. They would be sent, under penalty of court-martial if they resisted, to any spot that the current occupant took a whim to send them. And, they could be recalled at any time, no notice required.

The massive disruption that this caused many in the guard led to some flat-out quitting. Just resigning their commission, and foregoing any benefits.

Many states found that they had difficulty recruiting after that point. Protecting of their state in an emergency was the original idea of the Guards. Leaving the country for an extended period of time was not what they had signed up for.

Why did the state allow the Federal government to nationalize the State Guards?

What usually leads to bad decisions - money was waved at them.

The Federal government agreed to supply materials and equipment to the individual State Guards. In return, they made their Faustian bargain.

I’d argue that it’s well past time for the governors, and the state legislators, to de-couple from the National part of this. To assume the responsibility of providing for provisioning the State Guard units and their training. That would allow the governor to say “Uh-uh,” the next time the president got on the phone. With state resumption of the expense, they would also have the right to decline the call for their units.

The STATE would have the control - not the president.

Now, the states don’t have to make this a quick and complete decision right now.

They can start the process by creating - or RE-creating - a State Guard unit. Naturally, it cannot offer all of the same benefits, nor pay, but it can offer something even better, and that is a GUARANTEE that they would not be called into action except at the directive of the STATE, and for that state’s benefit.

Start with identifying retired/inactive/released because of refusal to allow Covid vaccination military. Offer them their former rank and some marginal benefits, at first. One of those benefits might be as simple as a patch identifying them as part of the Original Guard Volunteers of the reconstituted units. People will do a lot for recognition.

Their first task is to work out the organization’s bare bones, and start recruiting/training/making lists of needed supplies. It’s OK if they are few - that’s easier to manage, in the beginning.

Work with the governor/state legislature to identify the major catastrophes they will be needed for (in the West, that’s likely fire control). In some states, that may be assistance with natural disasters - in the beginning, the smaller events should be viewed as training opportunities, both for the non-coms, and for the officers. Over time, they can develop relationships with other emergency personnel, and take the time to build a reputation.

I’m assuming that there will be time before Everything Goes to Hell & Gone - these days, that sometimes seems like a HUGE assumption.

But, better to put this in process, than to kick the can down the road.

Otherwise, don’t be surprised when the National Guard shows up outside YOUR town, armed to the teeth, and prepared to fire on American citizens.