Trump & the National Guard

[Gregory Matthews]

President Trump has Federalized 2,000 members of the California National Guard and ordered them into service in LA.    I have decided to inform as to the basics of such service, potentially this involves SDA members.

Due to the fact that President Trump has ordered 2,000 members of the California National Guard omtp service in LA, and potentially more such actions may follow, I thought that I would inform as to military service in the US, which may involve SDA members.

*  The Uniformed Services of the U.S. include six military branches: Army, Air Force, Navy Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Command.  

*  All of the above branches also have a Reserve component.  The Army and the Air Force also have a National Guard component.  NOTE:  All of these components can be sent into combat in any location in the world.  This is a reality for all major combat operations.

*  Normal enlistment in the US military subjects the person to an 8-year term of service which is a combination of Active service and Reserve service. (The enlistment period is the term of active service.)

*  The Reserve components typically require part-time service of one weekend a month and 2- weeks each year.  NOTE:  The Army Reserves has some options that differ from this.

*  The Coast Guard is unique in that it has a civilian law enforcement function.  The other branches of the military are generally, with one exception, are prohibited from being used in civilian law enforcement.

*  The National Guard exists in all 50 of the States and the District of Columbia.  

*  The National Guard is unique in that the Governor of each State can use their National Guard for any function that is desired.

*  The President can Federalize any National Guard unit and use it just about as the President desires, including law enforcement.

[Gregory Matthews]

For your interest, my military service includes the following:

* Drafted enlisted service as a combat medic--two years.

*  First SDA To serve in a National Guard unit (D.C.) as a Chaplain.

*  Service as a Chaplain in an Army Reserve unit.

*  Active-duty Army Chaplain for 18 years.

* First Army Chaplain in modern times to go into combat with a COED unit.

* Teaching faculty at the US Army Chaplain School--probably the first SDA.

* Retired with a Légion of Merit among my awards.