Hendricks County National Guard Recruiters

1903. Since then the guard has served at home and abroad as a part of multiple wars, disaster relief actions, and putting down strikes and riots. After Operation Desert Storm, the National Guard saw its federal mission change, with more frequent call-ups in response to regional crises in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo and the skies over Iraq. The Guard also expanded its scope of operations with peacekeeping rotations in the Sinai and the Balkans. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, tens of thousands of Guard members have mobilized into federal service to provide security at home and combat terrorism abroad. These men and women served in harm’s way during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq (2003-2011) and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (2002-present). In the largest and swiftest response to a domestic disaster in history, the Guard deployed more than 50,000 troops in support of the Gulf States following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The National Guard continued to assist friends and neighbors as they endured multiple deployments overseas, and also trained to effectively respond to local contingencies and other emergencies. The Indiana Army National Guard consists of the 14,000 strong 38th Infantry Division, 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, and the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The Indiana Air National Guard consists of the 122nd Fighter Wing and the 181st Intelligence Wing. The Indiana National Guard is supported by the state’s official militia force, the Indiana Guard Reserve. The Indiana Guard Reserve is a military entity authorized by both the State Code of Indiana and Executive Order. The Indiana Guard Reserve is the state’s authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Indiana National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state status. Those functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of martial law when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control. The National Guard may be called into federal service in response to a call by the President or Congress. The National Guard continues its historic dual mission, providing trained units to the states, territories and the District of Columbia and keeping itself equipped to protect life and property. The Guard also provides trained units to the nation equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests all over the globe. When National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-In-Chief. The federal mission assigned to the National Guard is: “To provide properly trained and equipped units for prompt mobilization for war, National emergency or as otherwise needed.”

The Governor may call individuals or units of the Indiana National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which lend themselves to use of the National Guard. The state mission assigned to the National Guard is: “To provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as otherwise provided by state law.”

That is why we are proud of the Indiana National Guard motto: “Always Ready – Always There.”