Page:Military organization of the United States (IA militaryorganiza00comm).pdf/13

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Introduction
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duced strength but so equipped and trained as to permit immediate deployment in case of emergency. These units are stationed so as to provide for training activities and to facilitate mobilization.

d. The inactive or "paper" units are associated with particular active units in order to provide a cadre therefor and to facilitate reconstitution.

5. National Guard.a. The consists of an active and a reserve force. It is composed of enlisted citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age and of commissioned officers between twenty-one and sixty-four years of age, who are enlisted and commissioned, armed and equipped, in accordance with Federal laws and regulations. The maximum authorized strength of the active National Guard is prescribed by Congress. No limitations are placed on the strength of the National Guard Reserve.

b. The National Guard has two aspects, first, as consti- tuting the organized militia of the State to which it pertains and, second, as a component of the Army of the United States.

(1) As the organized militia, it constitutes the organ- ized military man-power of the State to which it pertains. As such it may be employed by the State within limitations defined by the Constitution of the United States and Fed- eral legislative enactments. It may, also, be called forth by the United States to execute the laws of the Union, sup- press insurrections, and repel invasions. When it is so called forth, it is militia in the service of the United States and can only be used for the services specified in the Con- stitution and within the continental limits of the United States.

(2) As a component of the Army of the United States, it becomes the National Guard. It is supported wholly or in part by Federal appropriations and is given close Federal supervision. Likewise, when authorized by Congress, the President may draft any and all members of the National Guard and of the National Guard Reserve into the military service of the United States, to serve therein for the period of the war or emergency, unless sooner discharged. Also, the Secretary of War, under such regulations as the Presi- dent may prescribe, is authorized to provide for the partici-