The National Guard at War

Joint Force Quarterly, Spring-Summer, 2001 by Michael D. Doubler

During two global conflicts the National Guard mobilized and provided both ground and air capabilities to defeat totalitarian powers in Europe and Asia. Its contribution reflected the American reliance on citizen-soldiers who serve their states and the Federal Government. On the state level, the National Guard protects life and property and preserves peace, order, and public safety. In the event of a national emergency, it provides integral components of the Armed Forces.

The Korean War saw a break with past practice. Instead of undertaking a full mobilization, the National Guard provided a limited number of units. Nonetheless, nearly 200,000 members of the Army National Guard (ARNG) and the Air National Guard (ANG) were ordered to active duty. National Guard units fought in Korea, bolstered European security, and replenished the Strategic Reserve in the continental United States (CONUS). Key reforms after Korea laid the foundation for a more capable National Guard establishment which could participate fully in the long-term prosecution of the Cold War.

After the Battle

The Pentagon began shaping the postwar National Guard before the end of World War II. One influence was General George Marshall, who believed the Guard should resume its traditional place in national defense after the war. He sought to avoid a repetition of the bitter dispute between the Army and National Guard that followed World War I and resulted in the National Defense Act of 1920. Nonetheless, friction occurred among the War Department, National Guard Association of the United States, and state adjutants general. Finally, the War Department issued a directive in October 1945 outlining the purpose, mission, and force structure of the National Guard. It would remain an integral part of America's first line of defense and also retain its unique status as both a state and Federal force.

The Guard received approval to organize as many as 425,000 members into 27 divisions, 21 regimental combat teams, 12 wing headquarters, 24 fighter groups, 3 light bomb groups, and hundreds of support units. Authorized manpower was twice the prewar level. Beginning in 1946, reorganization was rapid and widespread. The first unit to be activated after World War II was 120th Fighter Squadron in Colorado. By the end of 1948, 288,427 Army personnel were formed into 4,646 units, and within two years, th the Army Guard reached 325,000. By 1950, ANG units consisted of 72 fighter and 12 light bomber squadrons, and nonflying assets included 36 aircraft and warning units. The ANG inventory had more than 2,400 aircraft including 211 jet fighters, and manning stood at nearly 45,000. By 1950, 21 states and the territory of Hawaii had completed National Guard reorganizations.

Citizen-airmen faced an uphill struggle integrating efforts with the Army Air Forces (AAF). Despite contributions by flying units and aviators from the National Guard during World War II, AAF generals who favored an independent Air Force following the war put little faith in the Guard. Leaders such as General Henry Arnold were determined to build the largest, most modern Air Force possible based on nuclear-capable heavy bombers. The same leadership was convinced that citizen-airmen could only operate complex aircraft with extensive training and during a national emergency. Guardsmen had no place in the new Air Force. After considerable bickering in the Pentagon and Congress, however, these leaders reluctantly accepted a separate air arm in the National Guard. Austere defense budgets after 1945 precluded building a robust Air Force, and citizen-airmen were essential to providing the balance of air assets.

The National Security Act of 1947 reorganized the Department of Defense and resulted in recognition of the National Guard as a distinct entity. In September 1947, the Air Force became a separate service and ANG came into existence. In October 1948, the National Guard Bureau was reorganized to better fulfill its mission as the official channel of communication between the states and secretaries of the Army and Air Force. The Chief of the National Guard Bureau retained direct control over several special staff sections, but daily ARNG and ANG operations fell to two staff divisions, both headed by Guard major generals.

Despite this progress, the National Guard faced challenges. Bad relations with the Air Force and problems with budgets, recruiting, and equipment made the initial years difficult. Many active officers regarded ANG units as little more than state-sponsored flying clubs.

The Army National Guard also suffered. Equipped with heavier, more numerous weapons than before the war, it experienced chronic shortages in facilities and training sites.

But the greatest concern was that training and mobilization planning had changed little since 1940. Training normally took place during two-hour drills on weekday nights and focused on individual skills. Unit training occurred only in summer encampments. As late as 1950, the National Guard was still wedded to the notion of deliberate and total mobilizations similar to the events of 1916, 1917, and 1940 when it brought trained individuals to mobilization stations and most unit training was conducted after the declaration of a national emergency.