
Can the National Guard enforce civil law?
National Guard units can assist law enforcement in various ways, from providing support and equipment to assisting emergency responders and barricading roads. The President can also call in the National Guard in three circumstances: at the state's request, to enforce federal law, or to protect citizens' civil rights (if the state refuses to do so).
What are the Civil Affairs core tasks?
Civil affairs components work countrywide to strengthen the social and civic conditions necessary to consolidate peace processes and are a core function of multi-dimensional peacekeeping operations. As of mid-2013, there were approximately 700 Civil Affairs Officers in 13 UN Peacekeeping Operations worldwide.
What are civilian affairs?
What is Civil Affairs? Joint and Army doctrine defines civil affairs as “designated active component and reserve component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct civil affairs operations and to support civil-military operations,” which in turn support broader U.S. interagency stabilization efforts.
What is civil affairs mission statement?
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) - Fort Totten, New York
- A Company - Fort Totten, New York
- B Company - Fort Meade, Maryland

What branch of the Army is civil affairs?
United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations CommandUnited States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)Active1990–presentCountryUnited StatesBranchUnited States ArmyTypeU.S. Army Reserve10 more rows
What is civil affairs in the military?
Common Questions About Civil Affairs A Civil Affairs Soldier is someone who is physically fit, tactically skilled, and culturally aware of their surroundings. They are able to conduct global missions in harsh environments that are politically sensitive or even hostile.
Where do civil affairs get stationed?
The 95th Civil Affairs Brigade and its five subordinate battalions are all stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, which is a rapidly deployable unit that only supports the Army Special Operations Command.
Do civil affairs see combat?
After completing training, newly christened civil affairs soldiers deploy to worldwide combat zones, humanitarian crisis regions, and other problem areas requiring low-intensity intervention.
Is Civil Affairs a combat arm?
Five types of units compose Army SOF. Army special operations aviation (SOA), rangers, and special forces (SF) units are combat arms forces. Civil affairs (CA) and psychological operations (PSYOP) units are CS organizations.
Are Civil Affairs Airborne?
The 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) is the only Active Duty Civil Affairs Brigade in the U.S. Army.
How long is civil affairs AIT?
13 weeksJob training for a civil affairs specialist begins with the usual ten weeks of Basic Combat Training (boot camp), followed by 13 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT).
How do I get into civil affairs?
RequirementsBe a college graduate with at least a four-year degree.Be between 18 and 34 years old.Officer Basic Leadership Course (Or Additional Special Courses/Qualifications)Eligible for a Secret security clearance.Must be a U.S. citizen.
Are civil affairs considered operators?
Civil Affairs operators are versatile, innovative, and highly trained Soldiers who operate in small, autonomous teams among local populations, even in hostile or denied territory.
What are examples of civil affairs?
An example of civil affairs in cooperative efforts might involve engaging partner nation local governments, civil aviation authorities and port authorities in support of military training exercises.
Who wears GREY Berets?
Grey — U.S. Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape That definitely qualifies them for their own beret. A new wave of survival specialists. (USAF photo by Airman 1st.
What percentage of the Army Civil Affairs personnel are active?
Approximately 10% of Army Civil Affairs personnel are active component soldiers assigned to the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, the 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion or a variety of Special Operations, Joint, diplomatic, or conventional Army staff, planning, and policy positions.
What is civil affairs?
Civil Affairs in United Nations Peace Operations. Civil affairs officers in UN peace operations are civilian staff members who are often at the forefront of a mission's interaction with local government officials, civil society, and other civilian partners in the international community. "Civil Affairs components work at the social, ...
What is the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion?
U.S. Military Civil Affairs. A civil affairs soldier with the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion assesses the reconstruction of sewage lines in Baghdad June 11, 2003. According to the U.S. Army, "The force that the Army employs to compete and win within the population is Civil Affairs.".
Why was the UN needed?
In a rapid sequence of major operations – principally in Namibia, Central America and Cambodia – the UN was required not only to make peace, but to conduct nationwide processes of reconstruction and national reconciliation.
What is the New York State Guard?
In the New York State Guard, one of approximately 25 states with state defense forces, (not to be confused with the New York Army National Guard ), the term 'Civil Affairs' has a slightly different connotation. The Civil Affairs units include lawyers, judges, engineers, doctors and other professionals and paraprofessionals committed to voluntary, part-time military service in support of the New York National Guard and U.S. Military Reserve Units from all branches. When soldiers are called up for duty, the New York Guard makes sure their legal needs are attended to so that they can serve with the peace of mind of knowing that their affairs are in order. Civil Affairs soldiers draft their wills, prepare powers of attorney and other necessary documents, and advise them of their rights as soldiers under federal law and as citizens of the United States. There are five units, one in each brigade of the Guard, including the 5th Civil Affairs Regiment, Yonkers, New York; 7th Civil Affairs Regiment, New York City; 13th Civil Affairs Regiment, Garden City, New York; 23rd Civil Affairs Regiment, Latham, New York; and the 209th Civil Affairs Regiment, Buffalo, New York.
What is the Army involved in?
Throughout U.S. history the U.S. Army was involved in Civil Affairs and civic action. Civil Affairs has its organizational origins in military governments that were and are established when a country is occupied during war, but also encompasses the wide variety of mission sets focused on or leveraging the broader population of a given area in times of peace or war.
What is the key asset of civil affairs?
Overall, in the evolving environment of international peace and security, a key asset of civil affairs components is their agility and their capacity to respond flexibly to the wide range of demands and expectations within Security Council mandates.
What is the National Guard?
The National Guard is part of the reserve components of the United States Army and the United States Air Force. It is a military reserve force composed of National Guard military members or units of each state and the territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, for a total of 54 separate organizations.
When did the National Guard become a federal force?
In 1940, with the onset of World War II and as a result of its federalizing the National Guard, Congress amended the National Defense Act of 1916, and authorized the states to maintain "military forces other than National Guard.".
How many presidents have served in the militia?
Militia service was a common trait among presidents of the United States, 18 of whom have served in colonial or state militias and two have served in the National Guard since it was established in 1903. Among these, three served in colonial militias ( George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison ), 15 served in state militias ( James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, William Henry Harrison, William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt ), one in the Army National Guard ( Harry S. Truman) and one ( George W. Bush) served in the Air National Guard.
What is state defense force?
Many states also maintain their own state defense forces. Although not federal entities like the National Guard of the United States, these forces are components of the state militias like the individual state National Guards.
What is the nickname of the Air Guard?
All 50 U.S. states, and organized U.S. territories, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Nickname (s) " Air Guard ", " Army Guard ".
What is state active duty?
State and territory duty 1 The Governor can activate National Guard personnel to "State Active Duty" in response to natural or man-made disasters or Homeland Defense missions. State Active Duty is based on State statute and policy and on State funds. Soldiers and Airmen remain under the command and control of the Governor. The federal Posse Comitatus Act (PCA) does not apply under state active duty status or Title 32 status. 2 Title 32 Full-Time National Guard Duty. (Federally funded, but command and control remains with the State Governor through his Adjutant General.) Title 32 activation can only be done by the President or SECDEF with the approval and consent of the state Governor.
Where is the National Guard located?
The National Guard Bureau is headquartered in Arlington County, Virginia, and is a joint activity of the Department of Defense to conduct all the administrative matters pertaining to the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
Civil Affairs Officer Branch Description
Encompasses positions that require officers possessing specialized skills relating to the conduct and analysis of civil affairs operations and critical skills associated with politico-military awareness, and foreign language and cultural expertise that supports national policies or that can implement national objectives across the conflict spectrum..
Civil Affairs, General (38A)
Description of duties. Commands or serves on the staff of USAR civil affairs units. Identifies positions requiring general civil affairs experience.
Special Qualifications
The service member should have expertise in at least one civil affairs functional specialty through specific education or experience as a requirement. Some positions require specific training in certain special operational techniques as additional tracks to the Civil Affairs Officers Course or the Civil Affairs Officers Advanced Course.
Special Grading of Positions
Due to the amount of entry-level training and experience required for this AOC, many company and detachment level positions are graded for MAJ .
What is the National Guard?
The Army National Guard is two things. When activated for a federal mission, it is a Reserve Component of the U.S. Army.
What is family service in the National Guard?
Family Services. The Army National Guard values the support and contributions of our Families across the country. Family Programs not only benefit service members and their Families, but also have a positive impact on a unit's morale and readiness. Mission.
What is the Army Family Action Plan?
The Army Family Action Plan (AFTB) is the Army’s primary tool to communicate to leader’s issues of importance to Soldiers, Retirees, Family members and DoD civilians. It is the people’s perspective of adjustments and improvements that will increase recruitment, retention, and work-life satisfaction.
How many drills are required for the National Guard?
Army National Guard members are required to attend one drill weekend each month and one two-week annual training period each year (usually during the summer). Weekend drills are usually scheduled over a Saturday and Sunday each month, but can occasionally include reporting for duty on Friday night.
How often do you have to pass a fitness test in the National Guard?
National Guard members are required to pass a physical fitness test at least once a year, and are required to conform to the military's standards for height, weight and grooming. What are the service obligations in the National Guard.
What is the Army spouse employment program?
The Army Spouse Employment Program (ASEP) is a great opportunity to attain financial security or to achieve employment.
How does the Army help soldiers build stronger relationships?
Military life places extreme hardship on relationships, especially in wartime, so the Army – backed by Congress - has committed unprecedented resources to help Soldiers build stronger relationships through the Strong Bonds Program. Strong Bonds has specialized programs for single Soldiers, couples and Families.
What is the job of a civil affairs officer?
Job Overview. As a Civil Affairs Officer, you’ll act as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations. You’ll perform strategic and tactical civil affairs operations and combined armed forces, both overt and covert, in peacetime or when activated for crisis or war.
What is the Army Reserve?
Army Reserve. Army National Guard. Entry Level. As a Civil Affairs Officer, you’ll act as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations. You’ll perform strategic and tactical civil affairs operations and combined armed forces, both overt and covert, in peacetime or when activated for crisis or war.

Overview
U.S. Military Civil Affairs
According to the U.S. Army, "The force that the Army employs to compete and win within the population is Civil Affairs." With their knowledge of governance and diplomacy, Civil Affairs soldiers are the principal experts in assisting a commander on the conduct of civil-military operations, and the sole force trained and tasked to conduct Civil Affairs Operations.
Civil Affairs in United Nations Peace Operations
Civil affairs officers in UN peace operations are civilian staff members who are often at the forefront of a mission's interaction with local government officials, civil society, and other civilian partners in the international community. "Civil Affairs components work at the social, administrative and sub-national political levels to facilitate the countrywide implementation of peacekeeping mandates and to support the population and government in strengthening conditi…
Civil affairs worldwide
The British Army has a Civil Affairs Group, formed in 1997 and consisting primarily of Territorial Army personnel. Most personnel are members of the Royal Engineers and the group is administered by the Central Volunteer Headquarters Royal Engineers (CVHQ RE), based at Gibraltar Barracks, in Minley, Surrey. Members of the group have been deployed operationally in Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq. In Afghanistan…
Civil affairs in popular media
• A Bell for Adano (movie) and A Bell for Adano (Pulitzer Prize winning novel by John Hersey) depict a U.S. military government officer in occupied Italy during World War II.
• The Teahouse of the August Moon (play), The Teahouse of the August Moon (novel), and The Teahouse of the August Moon (film) depict U.S. military government personnel in occupied Okinawa during World War II. These were also adapted into the 1970 musical Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen.
External links
• U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), U.S. Army Reserve Official Website
• Civil Affairs Association
• US Army Field Manual 41-10 Civil Affairs Operations
• Friends Of Civil Affairs (FOCA) – a non-profit organization dedicated to the soldiers and families of 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), United States Army Special Operations Comman…
• U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), U.S. Army Reserve Official Website
• Civil Affairs Association
• US Army Field Manual 41-10 Civil Affairs Operations
• Friends Of Civil Affairs (FOCA) – a non-profit organization dedicated to the soldiers and families of 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).
Origins
- The first muster of militia forces in what is today the United States took place on September 16, 1565, in the newly established Spanish military town of St. Augustine. The militia men were assigned to guard the expedition's supplies while their leader, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, took the regular troops north to attack the French settlement at Fort ...
Organization
- Territorial organization
The National Guard of the several states, territories, and the District of Columbia serves as part of the first line of defense for the United States. The state National Guard is organized into units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia, and operates un… - National Guard Bureau
The National Guard is administered by the National Guard Bureau, which is a joint activity of the Army and Air Force under the DoD. The National Guard Bureau provides a communication channel for state National Guards to the DoD. The National Guard Bureau also provides policies and requ…
Standards
- Both the Army National Guard and Air National Guard are expected to adhere to the same moral and physical standards as their "full-time" active duty and "part-time" reserve federal counterparts. The same ranks and insignia of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force are used by the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, respectively, and National Guard members are eligible to recei…
Other Organizations
- State defense forces
Many states also maintain their own state defense forces. Although not federal entities like the National Guard of the United States, these forces are components of the state militias like the individual state National Guards. These forces were created by Congress in 1917 as a result of t… - Naval militias
Although there are no Naval or Marine Corps components of the National Guard of the United States, there is a Naval Militia authorized under federal law.10 U.S.C. § 7851. Like the soldiers and airmen in the National Guard of the United States, members of the Naval Militia are authorized f…
Duties and Administrative Organization
- National Guard units can be mobilized for federal active duty to supplement regular armed forces during times of war or national emergency declared by Congress, the President or the Secretary of Defense. They can also be activated for service in their respective states upon declaration of a state of emergency by the governor of the state or territory where they serve, or in the case of W…
National Guard Active Duty Character
- The term "activated" simply means that a unit or individual of the reserve components has been placed on orders. The purpose and authority for that activation determine limitations and duration of the activation. The Army and Air National Guard may be activated in a number of ways as prescribed by public law. Broadly, under federal law, there are two titles in the United States Cod…
History
- Colonial history
On December 13, 1636, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered that the Colony's scattered militia companies be organized into North, South and East Regiments—with the goal of increasing accountability to the colonial government and responsiveness during conflict… - American Revolutionary War
The Massachusetts militia began the American Revolutionary War at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, The Massachusetts militia units were mobilized either during or shortly after the above battles and used to form, along with units from Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire, t…
Relevant Laws
- The United States Congress has enacted various laws that control the National Guard: 1. The Militia Acts of 1792 1.1. Providing for the authority of the President to call out the Militia, and providing federal standards for the organization of the Militia. 1.2. For the 111 years that the Militia Act of 1792 remained in effect, it defined the position of the militia in relation to the feder…
Notable Members
- Presidents
Militia service was a common trait among presidents of the United States, 18 of whom have served in colonial or state militias and two have served in the National Guard since it was established in 1903. Among these, three served in colonial militias (George Washington, Thoma…
Number of Guardsmen by State, Territory and D.C.
- A member of the NG, often called a "guardsman," is a person who has signed an Enlistment Contract and has subscribed to an Enlistment Oath, is still alive, or has not yet been discharged. The subscription to the oath (typically a recitation) and the signature must be witnessed by a person, typically a Guard officer, authorized as an official witness. The term of the enlistment, o…
Civil Affairs Officer Branch Description
Civil Affairs, General
- Description of duties. Commands or serves on the staff of USAR civil affairs units. Identifies positions requiring general civil affairs experience.
Special Qualifications
- The service member should have expertise in at least one civil affairs functional specialty through specific education or experience as a requirement. Some positions require specific training in certain special operational techniques as additional tracks to the Civil Affairs Officers Course or the Civil Affairs Officers Advanced Course.
Special Grading of Positions
- Due to the amount of entry-level training and experience required for this AOC, many company and detachment level positions are graded for MAJ. Civil affairs companies and detachments are commanded by Majors. This is necessitated due to the often sensitive nature of CA missions. Civil Affairs company and detachment commanders actually direct CA missions when deployed…
Unique Duty Positions
- Brigade/Regiment/Battalion S5.
- Director of Civil-Military Operations.
- Strategic Civil Affairs Specialist.
- Government Functions Officer.