The recent shooting of two National Guard service members in Washington, DC brought into sharp relief the risks and sacrifices these heroes make every day. 

The National Guard occupies a unique position in America’s military structure, serving as both a state militia and a federal reserve force. This dual role makes the Guard distinct from other military branches and essential to both domestic emergency response and national defense.

Today, with more than 325,000 service members across more than 2,400 communities in 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia, the Army National Guard is a fully sustainable and interoperable force that remains strongly committed to providing trained and equipped soldiers, capable and ready to carry out full-spectrum operations to protect America at home and overseas.

How the National Guard Began

The official birth date of the Army National Guard as a reserve component of the Army is December 13, 1636. On that date, the Massachusetts colonial legislature directed that the colony’s existing militia companies be organized into three regiments.

The Two Components

Today the National Guard consists of two separate components: the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard with the Army National Guard being the older service. Today’s Army Guard includes infantry, armor, artillery, aviation, and support units that mirror the active Army’s structure. Members train on the same equipment and meet the same standards as their active-duty counterparts.

The Air National Guard operates fighter wings, refueling squadrons, airlift units, and air defense systems. Air Guard units frequently support active Air Force operations and maintain a constant presence in air defense missions, including protecting American airspace.

What the National Guard Does

The National Guard serves two primary missions. On the state level, Guard units respond to domestic emergencies under their governor’s command. When hurricanes devastate coastlines, wildfires rage through communities, or civil unrest threatens public safety, the National Guard deploys to assist. They provide disaster relief, conduct search and rescue operations, distribute supplies, maintain order, and support local law enforcement when necessary.

On the federal level, the Guard serves as a ready reserve force for the U.S. military. When activated for federal service, Guard members deploy overseas alongside active-duty troops for combat operations, peacekeeping missions, and humanitarian assistance, or as we have seen this year, federalized Guard troops can be sent in to US cities.

Chain of Command

The National Guard’s chain of command reflects its dual federal-state nature. In normal circumstances, Guard units operate under state authority. Each state’s governor serves as commander-in-chief of their National Guard, with operational control exercised through the state’s adjutant general, typically a senior Guard officer.

However, the president can federalize National Guard units, transferring them from state to federal control. Once federalized, Guard members fall under the same chain of command as active-duty military, answering to the Secretary of War and ultimately the president. This federalization can occur for wartime deployments, national emergencies, or when the president determines federal control is necessary.

The Army National Guard falls under the Department of the Army when federalized, while the Air National Guard comes under the Department of the Air Force. The National Guard Bureau, led by a four-star general, serves as the coordinating office between the states and the federal government, though it doesn’t command Guard units directly.

The Difference Between the National Guard and the Reserves

The National Guard is different from the different branches of the Military Reserves as the National Guard serves a dual state-federal mission, as mentioned above, while the Reserves are a federal-only force. The Reserves are under federal command and primarily serve when mobilized for federal missions. Each brand of the military also has a reserve component. The Army Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve have stations and units throughout the U.S.

A Citizen-Soldier Force

Most Guard members serve part-time, typically drilling one weekend per month and training for two weeks annually. They maintain civilian careers while remaining ready to serve when called. This citizen-soldier tradition allows the Guard to maintain a large, trained force at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent active-duty force, while keeping military service rooted in local communities across America.

In August 2025, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C.. The deployments began with approximately 2,000 National Guard troops, including about 800 from the District of Columbia National Guard. 

International Service

In the years after the 9/11 attacks, hundreds of thousands of Guard members deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global hotspots. According to Military.com, Guard and Reserve units comprised roughly 45 percent of forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and sustained approximately 18.4 percent of total casualties. 

Making the Ultimate Sacrifice Here and Abroad

On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members, who were stationed in Washington, D.C. were shot.  Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, age 20, died from her injuries, while another Guard member was critically wounded. 

The Washington Post’s “Faces of the Fallen” database tracked 482 Army National Guard deaths from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Enduring Freedom.

A 2018 Congressional report found 15,851 total military deaths between 2006 and the report date, with accidents accounting for 32 percent and self-inflicted deaths for 22.3 percent. This figure includes all service components, not just National Guard.

Comprehensive statistics specifically for total National Guard injuries (as opposed to deaths) across all operations are not readily available in public databases but the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), the Department of Defense’s official database for National Guard casualties by conflict, provides more data.  

Like all those who serve in the US military, members of the National Guard put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect and serve our states and the country’s interests here and abroad.