In times of crisis, federal, state, and local agencies can count on the U.S. National Guard to step in and lend a helping hand. Recently, the Guard has responded in ways not seen before.
Members of the Guard are part-time civilian soldiers who serve at the pleasure of the president and their state’s governor. Most of the guardsmen work everyday jobs or attend college while reporting to drill one weekend a month.
Colonel Joe Eggen has spent more than two decades in the Army. He has spent the last six years in the Nebraska National Guard overseeing recruitment and retention.
“What I love the most about the National Guard is our domestic mission,” Colonel Eggen said. “On top of the federal mission, we have to be able to help our fellow Nebraskans in times of need or other folks in states throughout the nation.”
The Guard lends a helping hand during natural disasters such as hurricanes, major flooding events, and wildfires. It also serves as boots on the ground if needed in times of war.
In 2020, guardsmen assisted with COVID-19 relief efforts, responded to civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, and supported Capital Police following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
In 2022, Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, deployed guardsmen to help secure the Southern border and Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-FL, deployed guardsmen to staff state prisons.
“It’s just appalling that the governor would take this sort of tactic,” Florida State Representative Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said.
Straight Arrow News asked if there is anything the Guard does not do and whether it is being overstretched to handle issues outside of its wheelhouse.
“The adjutant general, as well as the governor of Nebraska, is pretty selective about what we’re asked to do,” Eggen said. “So that we’re filling a role that cannot be met by our state and local agencies, to help out in those times of crisis when that capacity becomes overwhelmed.”
Much like police departments, recruitment for the National Guard is down across the country. Enlistments remain at half of their pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Colonel Eggen said the Guard often recruits high school seniors, but school visits have not been permitted.
Despite the dip in enlistments, the Guard continues to be a necessary backstop for a nation in various states of turmoil.
