What’s the Difference between Army and National Guard?
When it comes to defending our nation, many people think that the Army and the National Guard are the same thing. However, these two organizations have distinct roles, responsibilities, and capabilities. In this article, we will explore the main differences between the Army and the National Guard, focusing on their history, role, training, deployment, and benefits.
A Brief History
- The Army was established on June 3, 1784, as a direct descendant of the Continental Army that fought in the Revolutionary War.
- The National Guard, on the other hand, has its roots in the Militia Acts of 1792, which authorized state governments to form militias to provide protection against external threats.
- Initially, the National Guard was composed of citizen-soldiers who would volunteer to defend their communities. Over time, the organization evolved to become a branch of the US military, albeit with a unique status and mission.
Roles and Missions
- The Army: The primary role of the Army is to defend the United States against foreign threats, as specified in the National Defense Act of 1956. The Army is a force to be reckoned with on a global level, deployed across more than 150 countries and territories.
- National Guard: The National Guard, also known as the Reserve Component, plays a critical role in domestic disaster response, civil disturbances, and homeland security. Although it can be mobilized to support national security interests, its primary mission remains supporting state and local governments.
Training and Operations
- The Army: Army soldiers receive standard basic training (Basic Combat Training, or BCT) and advanced individual training (AIT) to learn skills specific to their military occupational specialty (MOS).
- National Guard: National Guard soldiers attend an 8-13 week Basic Combat Training program, followed by unit-level training and specialized skills courses. The training period varies depending on the individual’s military occupation.
- Deployment:
- The Army has a more frequent deployment schedule, with some units serving multiple tours.
- The National Guard is deployed more infrequently and usually for shorter periods. However, they often provide critical support in post-disaster environments and long-term stability operations.
- In domestic emergencies, the National Guard may be called to provide aid and support in neighboring states or within the deploying state.
Responsibilities and Authorities
| Responsibility | Army | National Guard |
|---|---|---|
| National Security | Primary role is defense against foreign threats | Supporting national security interests but prioritizing domestic operations |
| Domestic Response | Primary role in responding to domestic disasters and emergencies | |
| Command Structure | Directly falls under the Department of Defense | State governed with national integration (dual- key control) |
| Officer Leadership | Commissioned officer corps | Commissioned officers from the state National Guard with federal recognition |
| Soldier Status | Federally activated troops serving full-time | Citizen-soldiers who support national security and participate in federal missions |
Key Takeaways
- While both the Army and the National Guard are critical components of the US military, their roles, training, and deployment patterns differ fundamentally.
- The Army’s primary focus is national defense, whereas the National Guard prioritizes domestic emergency response and homeland security.
- National Guard soldiers serve dual roles, supporting their community as citizen-soldiers while also participating in national security operations.
- Each organization has its strengths, with the Army bringing combat readiness and global experience and the National Guard bringing tactical flexibility and local expertise to the table.
Benefits and Incentives
- Education benefits: Both the Army and the National Guard offer educational incentives, including the Montgomery GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) respectively.
- Hazards pay: Soldiers in both the Army and the National Guard can receive hazardous duty pay when serving in high-risk or combat zones.
- Retirement benefits: Service members in the Army and National Guard can collect a pension after completing at least 20 years of service.
- Citizenship benefits: For National Guard members who accumulate more than 90 days of active duty, federal reactivation, or continuous drill periods, they are credited with federal service towards meeting naturalization requirements.
Conclusion
In summary, while both the Army and the National Guard serve under the umbrella of the US military, they are unique entities with distinct responsibilities and strengths. Understanding these differences is essential for effectively using the resources and talents available within each organization to better defend our nation. As the National Guard has been described as "citizen-soldiers on federal duty," this emphasizes their dual role and responsibility, exemplifying their service above self.
