The Pittsburgh Press (February 12, 1946)
Background of news –
National Guard, old and new
By Bertram Benedict
The Army’s plans for the National Guard in the post-war military setup are being considered by a House Military Affairs subcommittee.
The plans are ambitious. Although the traditions of the old National Guard units would be preserved “as far as practicable” and although the new units would still be responsible for preserving local law and order under jurisdiction of the state authorities, the new units would be considered “an integral part of the Army.”
Stressing air warfare, the new National Guard would be a frontline reserve “capable of immediate expansion to war strength” and “service anywhere in the world.”
When the defense emergency burst upon the United States in May 1940, after the first defeats of the Allied armies, the National Guard of the United States had about the same strength as the Regular Army. On June 30, 1940, the number of men and officers in the several National Guard units was 241,612, as against 264,035 in the Regular Army and 147,889 (mostly officers) in the reserve forces.
In 1940, the National Guard was ordered into federal service before civilian conscription was applied.
Limitations imposed
One issue of importance in connection with the conscription policy was first fought out in the National Guard bill. The guard act, like the Selective Service Act, provided that the men involved were not to be employed outside of the Western Hemisphere except in the territories and possessions of the United States. This provision was of course repealed after the attack at Pearl Harbor and the German declaration of war.
Federal law still makes every able-bodied male between 18 and 45, with certain exemptions, a member of the militia. However, those who have not actually enlisted are classified as members of the “unorganized militia,” and are available for service only in theory.
President may call Guard
The president may call the National Guard into national service in emergency, such as the border troubles with Mexico in 1916, without separate legislation. In this event the Guard retains its state identity and its stats allegiance.
Legislation is needed to order the Guard into national service, when it loses its state identity and allegiance, becomes subject to the president as commander in chief, and is merged with the Regular Army.
In peacetime the National Guard meets a certain number of times a year for drill and has an annual training period in camp. During drill and at camp it is paid at approximately the same rates as members of the Regular Army.
Prior to World War I training of the Guard was largely left to the states. Now, by the defense acts of 1917, 1920 and later years, the training, still theoretically under the guard officers, is supervised by the Regular Army.
The Army assigns hundreds of regular officers to assist in the training of the guard and provides the guard pay and equipment (the states furnish the housing, such as armories). Promotion for guard officers usually depends on vacancies.