Title 32, National GuardRelease 119-102
§102 General Policy
Title 32 › CHAPTER 1 — ORGANIZATION › § 102
Summary
Keep the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard as the nation's front-line defenses. If Congress decides the regular forces need more units for national security, those Guards and needed reserve units must be ordered to active Federal duty and kept as long as 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
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102