Is the National Guard Its own Branch?

Hi guys, I'm getting pretty confused while doing my military research. Is the National Guard considered to be its own branch of military service? Any insight would be appreciated.

Your confusion is understandable! The National Guard is not considered its own separate branch of the military. Instead, it serves as a reserve component of the United States Army and the United States Air Force. Meaning, there are two elements to it - the Army National Guard and the Air Force National Guard. These individuals are typically part-time service members who hold civilian jobs or attend school while simultaneously fulfilling their military service obligations.

Members of the National Guard may be called up for active duty by their state governors during emergencies within their state, such as natural disasters. They can also be called into federal service for missions overseas just like other service members in the Army or Air Force.

In a nutshell - while the National Guard plays a crucial role in the defense and aid of our country, it is not considered its own separate military branch. The six branches of the U.S. Military are the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Hope this clears it up!