I'm starting to look into potential paths after high school, and I've come across talk of the National Guard. I know it's associated with the military, but can anyone tell me which two branches of the military have National Guard units?
The United States military is composed of six branches, two of which - the Army and the Air Force - have National Guard units.
The Army National Guard (ARNG) operates under Title 32 and Title 10 of the U.S. Code. It serves both state and federal governments. The primary difference between the National Guard and the Regular Army lies in the Guard's dual mission. While Guard units can be deployed overseas the same as other Army units, they can also be called on to assist in state emergencies, such as natural disasters.
Similarly, the Air National Guard (ANG), serves as both a federal and state military force. The ANG provides trained units to the President in times of war or national emergency and the Governors for state emergencies.
It's also important to note that while these are military units, they also have a strong community focus, often assisting in disasters and other local crises. This can be an attractive feature for individuals wanting to serve both their country and their community.
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