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E. F. Hutton
Lv 7
E. F. Hutton asked in Politics & GovernmentMilitary · 1 decade ago

Active National Guard in central States?

A friend and I were just discussing uses, needs, and practicality of a National Guard of various States. We were wondering if States away from US borders or lakes such as Wyoming or Oklahoma have active National Guard personnel. It's obviously more important to Alaska, or California, or Maine for examples. We have good insight as to how the Guard is used here in our home State, Illinois. And if they're active what tasks they serve in? This would be regular functions and not uses such as disaster relief. Exactly what in some of these States does the Guard guard? How substantial in numbers is the Guard in various States? How does it compare to or is offset by reservists?

Update:

Yes, I understand the position about the Alaska National Guard being the First line of defense from the Russians. My question is more about is the Nebraska National Guard the first line of defense from the South Dakotans.

Actually Teekno guarding Lake Michigan is important. The great lakes serve as shipping channels and could be used entry ways for foreign invaders.

Also, States with smaller populations I'm guessing will have fewer in the Guard by default.

Is the Guard being used to watch over things such as missile sites or arsenals?

Update 2:

Thanks Spc.

I'm not poking fun at the Guard or questioning the usefulness. I hope the question didn't come over that way. And I suppose if the Guard is being deployed overseas there is no validity to the original question.

Of course I recognize that the Guard reduces the need/desire for a draft.

I suppose perhaps the National Guard isn't what it once was.

This is why I'm asking. I'm trying to get a grip on it all. We hear a bit about our forces, particularly during overseas activity, through the media and what not. But we don't hear much about the National Guard, other than disaster relief efforts.

I have a brother-in-law in the Navy, so I get some of the news through him.

3 Answers

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  • Spc
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I agree with teekno. I am in the Indiana national guard and in 05 our unit was put on active orders to help with disaster relief in Mississippi. Recently our brigade was deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan in 03 and im currently deployed in iraq as of last Dec. Its not your generation of national guard anymore. We are upholding standard that should have always have been implemented over the years. Our units actually train and do pt on drill weekends. we are expected to actually pass pt tests...crazy huh? and I have yet to see a two week annual training since i joined in 05, my first was 3 weeks in 06, and one 3 week, one one week and another 9 days leading up to deployment in 07 and well 08, I have been here. so well... the guard may just as well have saved our govt from implementing a draft, did you ever think of that???of course not. well as you ponder the need for the national guard, just remember there are many soldiers (GUARD/RESERVE)who have given their lives to protect and sustain the nation in which you live (even from po-dunk little states.)

  • Teekno
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Frankly, I am confused as to why you'd think there would be a greater need in states with borders or lakes than there would be for states that don't.

    In Illinois, do you have thousands of National Guard personnel waiting for Godzilla to come out of Lake Michigan or something?

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Alaska National Guard is the First line of defense from the Russians

    I don't care what those commie bastards call them selves now.

    they are a part of SAC (Strategic Air Command)

    Have you seen Red Dawn?

    I would like to thank all service people for there Scarface's, in defending my freedom, I am in your debt

    Source(s): Former SN3/c US Naval Sea Cadet
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