Army Guard leaders urge civilian leaders to plan for domestic operations during war

WASHINGTON — As the Army shifts from the predictable mobilization models of the past to the demands of future large-scale combat, the Army National Guar… WASHINGTON — As the Army shifts from predictable mobilization models of the past to the demands of future large-scale combat operations, the Army National Guard’s more than 329,000 Soldiers must be prepared to mobilize at scale for war while continuing to support governors in responding to emergencies at home. That was the core message Army Guard leaders delivered at this year’s Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition during the Director of the Army National Guard Seminar. If a conflict with a peer or near-peer adversary erupts, the Army Guard will almost certainly be federalized on a large scale, not only to fight alongside the active-duty Army and Army Reserve overseas but also to protect the homeland and respond to threats such as cyberattacks, attacks on critical infrastructure and natural or human-caused disasters.

During the seminar, panelists warned that these simultaneous demands, which they called “simultaneity,” could strain the Army National Guard and complicate governors’ responses to state emergencies. “Hurricanes will not take a break for great power war,” said Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard and host of this year’s seminar panel. “Bad days and natural disasters