Army National Guard

The Army National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. Armed Forces and serves as the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Army. The National Guard is unique among the U.S. armed forces in that it can perform state as well as federal functions. It is generally called up to respond to state-level emergencies, such as natural disasters, but it can also serve a domestic law enforcement role. The Army National Guard provides a unique capability for national defense, through its combined arms capabilities that includes infantry, armor, cavalry, artillery, and support units.