The New York Guard is a state volunteer force which augments and supports the New York National Guard with manpower and skills.
New York Guard members are a volunteer, unpaid force which serves at
the direction of the Governor. They assist the National Guard in
planning, training for and executing state emergency support and
disaster missions, and provide legal and medical pre-deployment
assistance to the National Guard units and other reserve components as
requested.
Many New York Guard members are retired members of the National Guard
and other military services, however military experience is not a
prerequisite to membership. They are part of the military forces of New
York but are not federal military reservists like members of the Army
and Air National Guard.
Members of the New York Guard assist National Guard Soldiers and
Airmen to serve the people of New York as members of Guard Joint Task
Forces which respond to state natural disasters, state emergencies and
state security requirements.
Mission:
The New York Guard is one of New York’s state
military forces, which augments the New York National Guard as a force
multiplier. The New York Guard’s primary missions are civil support
operations including disaster relief efforts and state emergencies.
As a state defense force, the New York Guard trains and serves
without pay but members receive pay and benefits when called up for
state activation. Members cannot be federalized for active duty overseas
and serve within the state of New York.
