The National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions, celebrated its 370th birthday on December 13, 2006. The National Guard traces its history back to the earliest English colonies in North America. Responsible for their own defense, the colonists drew on English military tradition and organized their able-bodied male citizens into militias.

The colonial militias protected their fellow citizens from Indian attack, foreign invaders, and later helped to win the Revolutionary War. Following independence, the authors of the Constitution empowered Congress to "provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia." However, recognizing the militia's state role, the Founding Fathers reserved the appointment of officers and training of the militia to the states. Today's National Guard still remains a dual state-Federal force.

Throughout the 19th century the size of the Regular Army was small, and the militia provided the bulk of the troops during the Mexican War, the early months of the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. In 1903, important national defense legislation increased the role of the National Guard (as the militia was now called) as a Reserve force for the U.S. Army. In World War I, which the U.S. entered in 1917, the National Guard made up 40% of the U.S. combat divisions in France; in World War II, National Guard units were among the first to deploy overseas and the first to fight.

Following World War II, National Guard aviation units, some of them dating back to World War I, became the Air National Guard, the nation's newest Reserve component. The Guard stood on the frontiers of freedom during the Cold War, sending soldiers and airmen to fight in Korea and to reinforce NATO during the Berlin crisis of 1961-1962. During the Vietnam war, almost 23,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called up for a year of active duty; some 8,700 were deployed to Vietnam. Over 75,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called upon to help bring a swift end to Desert Storm in 1991.

Since that time, the National Guard has seen the nature of its Federal mission change, with more frequent call ups in response to crises in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, and the skies over Iraq. Most recently, following the attacks of September 11, 2001, more than 50,000 Guardmembers were called up by both their States and the Federal government to provide security at home and combat terrorism abroad. In the largest and swiftest response to a domestic disaster in history, the Guard deployed more than 50,000 troops in support of the Gulf States following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Today, tens of thousands of Guardmembers are serving in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan, as the National Guard continues its historic dual mission, providing to the states units trained and equipped to protect life and property, while providing to the nation units trained, equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests, all over the globe.

The Army National Guard (ARNG) is one component of The Army (which consists of the Active Army, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve.) The Army National Guard is composed primarily of traditional Guardsmen -- civilians who serve their country, state and community on a part-time basis (usually one weekend each month and two weeks during the summer.) Each state, most territories and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard, as provided for by the Constitution of the United States.

The National Guard has a unique dual mission that consists of both Federal and State roles. For state missions, the governor, through the state Adjutant General, commands Guard forces. The governor can call the National Guard into action during local or statewide emergencies, such as storms, fires, earthquakes or civil disturbances.

In addition, the President of the United States can activate the National Guard for participation in federal missions. Examples of federal activations include Guard units deployed to Kosovo and the Sinai for stabilization operations, and units deployed to the Middle East and other locations in the war on terrorism. When federalized, Guard units are commanded by the Combatant Commander of the theatre in which they are operating.

The Air National Guard is administered by the National Guard Bureau, a joint bureau of the departments of the Army and Air Force, located in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. It is one of the seven Reserve components of the United States armed forces that augments the active components in the performance of their missions. 

Mission 
The Air National Guard has both a federal and state mission. The dual mission, a provision of the U. S. Constitution, results in each guardsman holding membership in the National Guard of his or her state and in the National Guard of the United States. 

Federal Mission 
The Air National Guard's federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances). During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to most Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, humanitarian and contingency operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Air National Guard units may be activated in a number of ways as prescribed by public law. Most of the laws may be found in Title 10 of the U.S. Code. 

The Air National Guard provides almost half of the Air Force's tactical airlift support, combat communications functions, aeromedical evacuations and aerial refueling. In addition, the Air National Guard has total responsibility for air defense of the entire United States. 

State Mission 
When Air National Guard units are not mobilized or under federal control, they report to the governor of their respective state, territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) or the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. Each of the 54 National Guard organizations is supervised by the adjutant general of the state or territory. Under state law, the Air National Guard provides protection of life, property and preserves peace, order and public safety. These missions are accomplished through emergency relief support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires; search and rescue operations; support to civil defense authorities; maintenance of vital public services and counterdrug operations. 

The Army Reserve's mission, under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, is to provide trained, equipped, and ready Soldiers and cohesive units to meet the global requirements across the full spectrum of operations. The Army Reserve is a key element in The Army multi-component unit force, training with Active and National Guard units to ensure all three components work as a fully integrated team.

• Enabling the Army to do more with fewer resources, by providing a flexible, well-trained, complementary force that can expand and contract to meet the specific needs and challenges of each new mission. 
• Training Soldiers at the highest possible level in one of nearly 200 specific skills in order to support the Army on any air, land or sea mission.  
• Maintaining a force that can mobilize rapidly and skillfully at any moment to respond to a crisis or situation, or to defend America's interests at home and abroad.   
• Building a stronger Army by drawing on the strength, support and success of all the diverse backgrounds and communities across America represented by the Soldiers in the Army Reserve. 
• Anticipating the ever-evolving needs of today's modern Army and helping it transform into a smaller, faster, stronger force while continuing to protect the nation's interests. 
• Implementing national objectives. 
• Keeping the Army mobile, efficient and complete by providing specialized technological and troop support when and where it's needed most. 
• Supporting national policies. 
• Preserving the peace and security, and providing for the defense of the United States, the Territories, Commonwealths and Possessions, and any areas occupied by the United States. 
• Overcoming aggressive acts from nations and terrorist groups that imperil the peace and security of the United States. 
• Giving back to the community by providing civil support, i.e. food, shelter, safe drinking water and medical attention to our citizens during emergencies and natural disasters.

The mission of the U.S. Navy Reserve is to provide mission-capable units and individuals to the Navy, Marine Corps Team throughout the full range of operations from peace to war.   In today's environment this mandate takes on added meaning and responsibilities as the Navy Reserve is called on to play an increasingly active role in the day-to-day planning and operational requirements of the active Navy.  The Navy Reserve represents 20 percent of the Navy's total assets and is a significant force multiplier the fleet must have to meet its growing global commitments.

The Navy Reserve consists of the Ready Reserve, the Standby Reserve and the Retired Reserve numbering over 690,000 men and women. The "Ready Reserve" is made up of "Selected Reserve" personnel and "Individual Ready Reserve" (IRR) personnel. The Selected Reserve, or SELRES, is the Navy's primary source of immediate mobilization manpower and represents those Reservists who are paid, either as weekend drillers, or who serve as Full Time Support (FTS) on active duty status in the training and administration of the Navy Reserve Force program. Other reserve categories include the Standby Reserve and the Retired Reserve.

For over two centuries the U.S. Coast Guard has safeguarded our Nation’s maritime interests in the heartland, in the ports, at sea, and around the globe. We protect the maritime economy and the environment, we defend our maritime borders, and we save those in peril. This history has forged our character and purpose as America’s Maritime Guardian — Always Ready for all hazards and all threats.

Today’s U.S. Coast Guard, with nearly 42,000 men and women on active duty, is a unique force that carries out an array of civil and military responsibilities touching almost every facet of the U.S. maritime environment.

The Coast Guard's motto is Semper Paratus, meaning "Always Ready."

Marine Forces Reserve must be READY, RELEVANT, and RESPONSIVE.

MARFORRES is comprised of two groups of Marines and Sailors – those who are not currently on active duty, and those who are. The former represent the core of our warfighting strength; the latter are the critical enablers who ensure we are always combat ready. Both groups are essential. Neither group could succeed without the other. We are all members of “the first team.” We must all meet “first team” standards.

The mission of Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) is to augment and reinforce active Marine forces in time of war, national emergency or contingency operations, provide personnel and operational tempo relief for the active forces in peacetime, and provide service to the community. 

Equipped and trained to the same rigorous standards as our active Marine forces, to include joint operations, Marine Forces Reserve will be trained and educated to the highest levels, and provide rapid response when called upon. As versatile Continental Marines, Marine Forces Reserve will be ever-ready to alleviate the intense personnel and operational tempo of active forces in peacetime.

As citizen-Marines, the men and women of Marine Forces Reserve will be community beacons by living the Marine Corps' story of daily service to family, community and nation.

The largest command in the Corps, the men and women of MARFORRES stand ready to answer the nation's call at home and abroad.

The Air Force Reserve has evolved into a Major Command of the active duty Air Force, performing many missions in common with the Air Force and others that are unique (specifically, Weather Reconnaissance - the Hurricane Hunters - and Aerial Fire Fighting).

To support those missions, the Reserve deploys 13 different kinds of state-of-the-art aircraft, from the remote-piloted Predator to the specialized C-17 Globemaster III to the new F-22 Raptor fighter

The Air Force Reserve performs about 20 percent of the work of the Air Force. While the majority of Reservists hold part-time jobs, the number of full-time positions is growing. Full-time roles are performed by Air Reserve Technicians (ARTs) and the Active Guard Reserve (AGR). Another group of experienced Reservists employ their specialized skills as Individual Mobilized Augmentees (IMAs), working tailored schedules at assigned locations.

The Air Force Reserve operates in various locations around the world, including Air Force Bases, Air Reserve Bases and Air Stations, and may also operate from Joint Reserve Bases owned by different branches of the armed forces. While many missions are common to all bases, some have specialized missions, such as the Weather Reconnaissance mission (or Hurricane Hunters), which operates out of Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. Ultimately, the missions assigned to each unit in the Air Force Reserve determine the jobs that are available at a given location

Given the constantly evolving missions of the Air Force Reserve, there is always a need for officers and enlisted personnel. Members of all branches of the military may join the Air Force Reserve even if they have not served in the Air Force. Those with prior service do not repeat Basic Military Training, usually keep their rank, and are entitled to many other benefits, including low-cost medical insurance. Note that a special need exists for those from the healthcare professions; all physicians and nurses join as officers.

Of course, those with no military experience may also join the Air Force Reserve. Although a high school diploma or GED is not required to join the Reserve, higher ASVAB test scores are required. Parents or guardians must give permission for 17 year-olds.

Important to all Reservists is the Airman's Creed, which captures the heritage as well as the vision of the future of the American Airman.