A major overseas war could leave US governors short of National Guard troops to respond to hurricanes, cyberattacks and other emergencies at home, senior Army National Guard leaders have warned.
Several generals raised the concern at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting last month, where they discussed how the Guard’s more than 329,000 soldiers could face competing demands in a war against a major military power. “Hurricanes will not take a break for great power war,” said Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard.
The Pentagon’s “Simultaneity” Problem: War Abroad, Emergencies at Home
The Guard serves under state governors in emergencies and as a combat reserve for the military, so a major conflict could pull large numbers of troops away. Army leaders call the dilemma “simultaneity.”
The problem isn’t new. Guard troops made up about 20% of Army deployments and 11% of Air Force deployments from 2001 to 2015. Today, thousands are at the southern border and in Washington, DC, and this year Guard troops also supported Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
Indiana’s adjutant general asked what would be left for a governor in a contested homeland. Florida has revived its State Guard, a volunteer force of up to 1,500, to help fill gaps. Other generals suggested a process to resolve competing state and federal demands, better civilian emergency response and streamlined mobilisations.
