Don't we already have a national security force....The National Guard?

@spalladino (17891)
United States
November 11, 2008 7:39pm CST
Instead of recreating what we already have, the National Guard should return to it's origins. I have never agreed with the decisions to send these troops to fight in wars overseas. Any thoughts? [i]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.[/i] http://www.ngb.army.mil/About/default.aspx
1 person likes this
7 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
12 Nov 08
Ok, I know I've been ranting on this whole issue hard but here I go again. If what Obama is proposing is a civil rebuilding labor force that is a whole different matter. However if has been suggested, that these are to be a civilian "military force", then they may not, absolutely NOT, perform police duties on U.S. soil. Even the national guard, when nationalized, cannot do this. And rightfully so. I have a deep respect and gratitude for our nations military, god bless them , why order these fine men and women to blaspheme the constitution they proudly uphold? If what he proposes is another federal law enforcemnt agency, then why not just better take care of the state, local and county law enforcement in cooperation with federal law enforcement, it's worked great for the last 8 years. Ted is right, the national guard have been a staple in our nations defense for a long and great history. They have evolved from a citizen force to a multi purpose fighting and civilian assistance and disaster relief entity. Howver, they are for the most part under the authority of the governors of their respective states, the governors may legaly call them up for policing duties, but only the governors. The U.S. cannot federalize them and then use them for duties involving police actions except under extreme cases of foriegn flag military invasion or extreme cases of national conflict and rebellion by actions not defined as defending the constitution. The national guard is not the militia as is it is commonly used interchangably in terminology. The organized and unorganized militias refered to in the 2nd amendment are primarily a citizen state force callable by either state governors or formed out of circumstance by like minded individuals when the need to defend the constitution arises, to defend that state, as many states in the south did durring the civil war and the defense of a free state against tyrany from outside invasion or imposed upon them by the federal government. In some states these are organized "state guards" sponsored by the state governments. The unorganized militia is basicly a group of citizens formed per diem when needed or that exist consistantly in name and organization. A nationalized military security force policing on united states soil is a police state by definition. It is EXACTLY what the organized/unorganized armed milita, is spelled out in the second amendment to defend the state against. "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." A free state as clearly defined in the 10th amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people" Ever feel your just preaching to the choir sometimes ted? Exasperating isn't it, I am astounded how people could scream for Bush's impeachment and head over constitutional violations and complain about the loss of civil liberties in his policies and executive orders, many issues I agrea with actualy, but warmly embrace the incooming adminstation's, which openly take things to the next level.
1 person likes this
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Like many politicians, he does not understand the US Constitution.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
12 Nov 08
I just realized I used the wrong name in my post, I meant spalladino, lol, sorry.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Nov 08
No prob, X. I guess we're just going to have to wait and see where the next level takes us...or wants to take us. As a free speaking nation we still have the power of our collective voices if necessary.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Nov 08
Great discussion on the history of the National Guard. You are right, they are our National Defense Force. However, I think that President-Elect Obama has something else in mind than improving on this great body of soldiers. I am sorry to say this, but I am beginning to believe that the Obama Administration is beginning to sound a lot like the reading of the Left Behind Series of books. I am not at all saying that he is the Anti-Christ, but I am tired of hearing that he is a Messiah. He is far, and I mean far from a messiah. He has to get off this kick. Anyway, I think that there is going to be an attempt at setting up a national security force similar to that which is portrayed in the Left Behind Series. There is going to be an attempt to set up some form of one world government. It is going to be explained away as the fact that the economy worldwide is in shambles and that the socialistic agenda of President-Elect Obama is going to have to do what it can to change everything for the better. Folks, we are in a world of hurt, and it is going to take a long, long, long time before it gets better. We, as Americans, are being fooled. We have to be on our "best behavior" as we are going to be watched much more closely. Can anyone say "KGB?" I say, let's see what happens. Give the new administration a chance. The first signs of a new type of security force being built, the first signs that the Second Amendment, the Right to Bear Arms, is dismantled and that the First Amendment as well is violated by our soon to be new president, we need to rethink what this country has done and retake our country. By heart goes out to all of the soldiers who have fought for our freedom in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world, past and present, and in the future. We have a long way to go, but somehow we will be victorious at home and abroad.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I agree with you, davebrown, we need to always be vigil regardless of who our president is.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
12 Nov 08
You forgot to mention that every time the politicians cut the military forces the National Guard has to pick up the slack every time there is a national crisis and the Military is needed. The Guard Members are among the best trained soldiers in the world. They are as good as the Regular Army. The problem with the National Guard and Katrina was the Louisiana Governor was waiting for President Bush to call up the NG and did not realize that she had to do that. The NG is a state controlled Army and is only under the President when he uses his emergency powers to Nationalize them for a national emergency.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
12 Nov 08
It is incredible to me that a governor would not know this fundamental responsability. Her roll of commander in chief and she dropped the ball horrendously.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Obama wants his own army like Hitler. They are very similar. All you have to do is read "Mein Kompf". Maybe he needs it so he can be a dictator and take over the U.S. Praise hail the fuhrer. Zig heil Obama. Heil Obama. Heil Obama. Get used to it folks. LOL
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
12 Nov 08
Vermony militia sticker - a bumber sticker from the unorganized militia of vermont.
We don't have to get used to ANYTHING, we have remedies.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Ok so I must admit I first thought you were giving us a history lesson but then as I was reading comments I got the impression that you were talking about Obama's comments. So as for the history lesson it's very interesting, I guess I had never really thought much about the National Guard. Being from Ohio the National Guard does not leave good thoughts when spoken. And, if this is for Obama's plan lol it doesn't sound all that bad but after I found out Bush supports it now I wonder lol. And, for everyone that pictures the National Guard when he made his comments, here's a quote but a spokesperson, "The Obama transition team declined to comment on Broun's remarks. But spokesman Tommy Vietor said Obama was referring in the speech to a proposal for a civilian reserve corps that could handle postwar reconstruction efforts such as rebuilding infrastructure — an idea endorsed by the Bush administration." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27655039/
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I didn't know their history either until I looked it up and I was surprised at how long they've been around. I do know that we depend on them here in Florida after a big storm passes and they are the reason Florida sets the standard for disaster response for the rest of the nation. Increased funding and expansion of the National Guard isn't as scary as something new and unknown so I hope that's Obama's plan.
• India
12 Nov 08
hi i m busy but wannt to disscuss i think we tiil dont have it because we are not secure till now
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I do agree that our National Guard forces need to return to the states and be used to protect our homeland.