Virginia National Guard
Encyclopedia
The Virginia
National Guard consists of the Virginia Army National Guard
and the Virginia Air National Guard
. It is part of the Government of Virginia
though the National Guard across the United States is mostly funded by federal monies. The Constitution of the United States
specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States
military force empowered to function in a state status. Those functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of martial law
when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control.
The National Guard may be called into federal service in response to a call by the President
or Congress
.
Many states also maintain their own military forces. These forces are federally recognized, but are separate from the United States National Guard
and are not meant to be federalized, but rather service the state exclusively, especially when the National Guard is deployed and unavailable. The Virginia Defense Force is the commonwealth's own all-volunteer, formal military organization that is the reserve to the Virginia National Guard http://www.virginiadefenseforce.org/.
The Virginia National Guard has a State Partnership Program
relationship with the Military of Tajikistan
.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
National Guard consists of the Virginia Army National Guard
Virginia Army National Guard
The Virginia Army National Guard is composed of approximately 7500 soldiers, 1200 airmen, and maintains 67 armories in 50 communities.The Governor may call individuals or units of the Virginia National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which lend...
and the Virginia Air National Guard
Virginia Air National Guard
The Virginia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Virginia. It is, along with the Virginia Army National Guard, an element of the Virginia National Guard...
. It is part of the Government of Virginia
Government of Virginia
The government of Virginia combines the three branches of authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The current Governor of Virginia is Bob McDonnell. The State Capitol building in Richmond was designed by Thomas Jefferson, and the cornerstone was laid by Governor Patrick Henry in 1785. Virginia...
though the National Guard across the United States is mostly funded by federal monies. The Constitution of the United States
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military force empowered to function in a state status. Those functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control.
The National Guard may be called into federal service in response to a call by the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
or Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
.
Many states also maintain their own military forces. These forces are federally recognized, but are separate from the United States National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
and are not meant to be federalized, but rather service the state exclusively, especially when the National Guard is deployed and unavailable. The Virginia Defense Force is the commonwealth's own all-volunteer, formal military organization that is the reserve to the Virginia National Guard http://www.virginiadefenseforce.org/.
The Virginia National Guard has a State Partnership Program
State Partnership Program
The National Guard State Partnership Program was established in 1993 in response to the radically changed political-military situation following the collapse of Communism and the disintegration of the Soviet Union....
relationship with the Military of Tajikistan
Military of Tajikistan
Tajikistan's armed forces consist of Land Forces, Mobile Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Presidential National Guard, and Security Forces...
.
External links
- Virginia National Guard
- Bibliography of Virginia Army National Guard History compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History