Title 32 — National GuardRelease 119-73not60
§102 General Policy
Title 32 › Chapter 1— ORGANIZATION › § 102
Summary
Keep the Army National Guard and Air National Guard strong and ready to help defend the country. If Congress decides the regular Army or Air Force needs more units, it can call the Guard and any needed reserve units into federal active duty and keep them on duty while needed.
Full Legal Text
Title 32, §102
National Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In accordance with the traditional military policy of the United States, it is essential that the strength and organization of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard as an integral part of the first line defenses of the United States be maintained and assured at all times. Whenever Congress determines that more units and organizations are needed for the national security than are in the regular components of the ground and air forces, the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States, or such parts of them as are needed, together with such units of other reserve components as are necessary for a balanced force, shall be ordered to active Federal duty and retained as long as so needed.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 10250:921(b).July 9, 1952, ch. 608, § 201(b), 66 Stat. 482. The words “The Congress further declares * * * as expressed in the National Defense Act of 1916 as amended” and “It is the intent of Congress that” are omitted as surplusage. The words “United States” are substituted for the words “our” and “this Nation”. The words “more * * * than are in” are substituted for the words “in excess of those”. The words “Federal duty” are substituted for the words “military service of the United States”. The words “as long as so needed” are substituted for the words “so long as such necessity exists”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
32 U.S.C. § 102
Title 32 — National Guard
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60