Colonel Rick Patterson: the Changing Roles and Missions of the National Guard November 20, 2008

From early colonial militias protecting settlers to Cold War national strategic reserves, and now vital operational reserves, the "Home Guard's" role and mission has been redefined again and again. Recent responsibilities include taking on an expanded domestic role in Homeland Security, assisting in the war on drugs and getting at-risk-youth back on track, all while concurrently training, mobilizing and deploying thousands of citizen soldiers and airmen supporting the national effort in the global war on terror. The roles and missions of the National Guard have not just changed, they've reshaped modern military service.