Military Civics: The Many Armies of the United States

[@joshkarpoff3341]

The Dept of Defense should link to this video from now on for all explanations of this subject.

[@iivin4233]

I'd gladly watch a couple more videos on this kind of subject

[@thomasborgsmidt9801]

When you get to Europe things get really, really complicated. F.i. in Denmark the Home Guard is in peace time under the command of the police, but in wartime under military command and the police gets under military command. There was a small issue during WW2 where the army surrendered quickly - ordered to. That led to the resistance which was under allied control - if control is the right word?? In fact they were rather poorly controlled. But after the liberation they were enrolled into the Home Guard (quality of said troops varies greatly). In the current enviroment it has some practical implications. Normally a BTN has fully mobilised 5 companies: 3 combat units, 1 logistics and one guarding the rest at rest. In the Nato calculations they show up as having 1.000 men/women/doubtfull. But when a BTN is assigned to f.i. Estonia as reinforcements there are only 800 - the guarding company's duties are taken up by the Estonian Home Guard. Now that means that there is an insanely quick reaction time. There was an instance where the estonian government was crapping its pants due to russian belligerence. A Danish flight of F-16 was scheduled to take over the Air Policing duties in three weeks. But the government enacted a temporary law - with broad political support - that autorised moving forward the deployment by three weeks. As soon as passed (took about and hour - following parliamentary protocol) the flight tucked in the wheels on their way - much to the unmitigated relief of the Estonian government: It is a common misconception that democracies are slow to react to agression - that is not necessarily true. There is a thing called contingency plans! Those are prepared plans that has all the formalia allready prepared and only needs parliamentary approval to enter into force - which takes about an hour. Another thing is the contingency order, which states that commands from a captured government is NOT to be obeyed, and that troops under own initiative shall continue the fight with allied forces. Introduced after WW2. In the bad old days during the cold war the Home Guard had weapons and ammunition in their homes - today they break them out of the depot, where the guns they have practiced on are ready for issueing. The police absolutely hates other than themselves having firearms. That has something to do with having both a territorial defence and an army.

[@Agridefense]

Me too

[@LevitatingCups]

I'd too, now that some floating rumours of using state forces are floating around (non-us).

[@tigercat418]

England did WW1

[@curtisbrayfield4548]

I bet part of it is his Irish accent. Like Shelby Foote in Ken Burns Civil War series, his accent is pleasing to the ears.

[@michelesilvestri8340]

me, an european, whatching this video like “oh yes, some cool informative video, how complex could it be” also me, losing my shit 5 minutes into the video

[@GCJT1949]

I keep telling Europeans just how BIG and varied the US of A has become in the last 200 years or so. Geoff Who notes a Luftwaffe pilot training in the US of A, said in West Germany staying inside the border was a problem, in New Mexico getting lost in the state was a problem.

[@stephenbritton9297]

Yeah, but now you know more about the subject than most Americans... sadly

[@wingracer1614]

Don't feel bad. I was born and raised in Virginia yet never knew I was in a militia.

[@mpetersen6]

And this just one area of the complexity of US law. Another good example is alcohol laws. The legal age to imbibe is not a federal law but a matter of state law. However the Federal Government threatened States that if they did not raise the legal drinking age to 21 the Federal Government would with hold federal tax dollars for road and other transportation purposes. Also inside the individual states you may see "dry" counties, towns, cities or villages. These are areas were the sale of alcohol is not legal under local option. I can think of two locations of the top of my head. One in Wisconsin and one in Illinois. Plus the county in Tennessee were the distillery for Jack Daniel's is located is (or was) a dry county. Plus in the various states there are legal differences in just what a village, town, city and county are empowered to do. Plus these jurisdictions overlap. New York City for instance also has with in its jurisdiction the counties of New York (Manhattan) , Queens (Queens), Bronx (Bronx), Richmond (Staten Island) and Kings (Brooklyn). All of the above entities may have policing powers but as a rule only counties have the power to try legal cases (civil or criminal). Exceptions to this may be courts that handle things such as traffic violations. Add in the fact that various political entities beyond the Federal and State governments have the power to tax. In my location my property taxes cover the city, county, local school district, local two year technical college and possibly the county wide library system. Plus individual counties and cities depend ding on the state they are in also have the power to set additional sales tax, income tax, hotel tax etc. Maybe this explains the general distaste a lot of Americans* have for government. *That is a word with a lot of loaded problems. After all the US is not the nation in North America much less South America. For instance Brazil is legally known as the United States of Brazil. So yes its complicated.

[@chrysler5thavenue822]

You might be surprised to find out many nations, and many European nations do the exact same thing. But the number of "states" and populations differ. Now if you take the entire EU as an example and work yourself from the 4-5+ French land armies down to the Swiss Guards... Well... you get the picture already.

[@mwhyte1979]

I bet some of your friends from your days in the Irish Defense Force have watched this and said "damn what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into over there?" .

[@OnochieAfigbo]

😃

[@billbrockman779]

As a retired Air Guardsman, I appreciate this explanation.

[@fitzpado]

This is the most informative/clear cut discussion on the various "militaries" within the US I have ever heard in my 30+ years in the Army. I had some insight into the subject, but other parts, such as the States militias, I only had a passing knowledge. I wished this video was around about 25 years ago when I was exposed to some of these organizations as a young staff officer, it would have cleared some of misinformation I was told about them. I would highly recommend this video to to all CPTs Career Courses in all of the service schools. It would make their lives easier later on as staff officers. You are a "GO" at this station!

[@andrewbend9655]

And people say The British/Commonwealth system is confusing

[@Lowlandlord]

Our Canadian system is quite simple actually. We have one group run by the Armed Forces, there are no redundancies. Some careers (the Purple Trades) can have you in different branches potentially. The head of the Armed Forces rotates between being a General (from the Landforce or Airforce) or an Admiral, in theory based on merits but as it is a political appointment with some amount of politics involved (like every nation, but we just have the one).

[@andrewbend9655]

@@Lowlandlord Yesish, it can get a bit hard explaining how for example the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is made up of three regiments of Horse artillery, and 16 other regiments and not a single one is regiment size by the definition of most European/US based armies

[@cabalofdemons]

It is simple. The Army National Guard is a reserve component of the US Army and the Air National Guard a reserve component of the Air Force. The state defense forces are the only forces under sole and absolute control of a governor. The Federal government controls the Reserves and shares power with the National Guard.

[@deathfromabove2250]

Its specifically designed to be complicated so that any soldiers with personnel or pay issues have such a hard time getting them resolved that they give up, and don't cost tax payers extra money. At least that's my theory... lol

[@costakeith9048]

@@andrewbend9655 Marine Corps regiments are effectively brigades, but called regiments for historical reasons and, of course, the Marines as a whole technically only compromise a single 'corps' despite, at times, being larger than entire army groups within the United States Army.

[@markallan1382]

As a retired USCG / USCGR SCPO, I want to applaud you for tackling this subject.

[@shorttimer874]

When I went into basic there were RA, NG, AR, and US. Drill sergeant told us very early on that those of us who weren't US, I was RA, chose to be there and so would never get any sympathy from him. Not that there was any to be had anyway. The only time it mattered was with the headcount entering the mess hall. The Army was undergoing changes at the time, early 70s. Partway through basic we switched from yelling 'kill, kill, kill' during bayonet drill to 'yeah, yeah, yeah'. Wonder if that was influenced by the “Alice's Restaurant Massacre”.

[@GCJT1949]

I was at Fort Polk for basic training in 1972. I became part of the downsizing Army 1972-82. Geoff Who has been around awhile.

[@chrysler5thavenue822]

When I went, last decade, they mostly treated us all the same except one drill... He would constantly seek out and harangue the NG guys. Once he had the entire company formed up, calling us all quitters and shit, and said "half of you are reservists and quit before you even got here".

[@jimmehjiimmeehh9748]

Shouting "yeah" sounds more creepy than shouting "kill". It's like you're getting off to it or something.

[@16Tango]

I went to Basic at Sill in 92. The only difference I remember between RA and Guard/Reserve was the clothing issue. Those of us in the RA got more “stuff”.

[@dennisholiday1868]

@@GCJT1949 I was at Fort Polk in 1973. But we did 16TEEN Weeks at Tiger Land, that is BCT and AIT at same place.We could not get out of that Hell Hold fast enough.But I got to ask you this question because everyone who was at Fort Polk would say Do you remember The Casino?

[@doughudgens9275]

To confuse things more: I was a commissioned officer in the US Army Reserve on active duty orders to the regular Army. The units I was assigned to were Regular Army, but almost all officers were Reservists. In my ROTC class, about 10% were RA, the rest got Reserve Commissions. RA types were subject to recall to active duty until age 60 (I think) when they left active service. I was only subject to recall for 8 years after commissioning.

[@GTBANNA]

Hi I'm currently an ROTC cadet (MS3) and was confused with the different type of commissions. I heard that most cadets get a reserve commission even if some of them get an active duty slot, and that only the select few get a regular commission, whats the diffrences between the two?

[@doughudgens9275]

@@GTBANNA the Chieftain did a KZbin video on the types of commissions about 7-8 months ago. About 5% of my ROTC class got a Regular Army commission and the rest Reserve commissions. I am not aware of how many got Guard commissions, but not many. The question is how many went on active duty beyond Officer Basic Course, and I don’t know. After I learned how to be a Field Artillery Officer, I stayed on active duty in the “regular army” for 4 years total, even though I had a reserve commission (like 70-80% of my peers). That 5% that got Regular Army commissions ( plus West Point grads), plus the a few OCS officers, made up the rest. What type of commission you have does not really affect what you do, or how you are treated professionally, your performance does. The US Army is still a meritocracy. You can ask to stay on active duty after training through your Department of Military Science ( they should ask you as part of the process). Also the Reserves are mostly service and support types. The Guard is where the combat arms are in the “weekend warrior” force. I hope this helps.

[@GTBANNA]

@@doughudgens9275 yes thats helps a lot, thank you so much!

[@MikeEsqLTC]

@@GTBANNA So here's another wrinkle: I graduated from Army ROTC (4 year program) from the University of Iowa in 1973. Thanks for a clerical error (or whatever), I was slated to get a Reserve commission. Being a gung ho guy, that upset me and I applied for an RA commission before I graduated. I signed on to active duty at Fort Gordon for the MP Officer Basic (it's now at Ft. Leonard Wood) on July 4, 1973. Halfway through the course (I was in the top 15%), I was informed that I was selected for an RA commission in Transportation Corps with - wait for it! - a year's detail to Armor! Armor branch told me "only one basic to an officer" and there was no armor orientation course. Their suggestion: Get the MPs to send me to Fort Knox for the Maintenance Officer Course, and try to "audit" some Armor Basic courses. That ended up being one day on the vehicle familiarization course. After a year at Fort Riley as an armor platoon leader, TDY Recruiting Liaison Officer and assistant S-1, I got myself sent to Germany after the TC Orientation Course. After 2 months in a boring transportation planning unit, I - surprise! - became the commander of the Nellingen Security Police where I was for almost 2-1/2 years. After the burn out of that job, I applied to leave active duty to go to law school. The G-1 (bless his heart!) suggested that I take a Reserve commission to speed things up. After a 2 month break in service, I joined the same Army Reserve unit my dad had been in since 1959(!) and retired as an O-5 in 1995. Moral of the story: Just because you're in one branch doesn't mean you won't be able to (or be told to) "branch out" (pun intended). Good luck and airborne!

[@NovaScotiaNewfie]

Was this a voluntary posting or was it under orders? For example here in Canada if any deployment (Combat or peacekeeping) have Reserve slots you can volunteer. If selected you then attend training with our Regular Force (Active duty) members for training for deployment. I will use the Infantry exams as I was in a Reseve Infantry Regiment. We would fall under one of our 3 Regular Force (Active Dury) Infantry (Royal Canadian Regiment, Princess Patricia's Canadisn Light Infantry or the Royal 22nd Regiment, the "Van Doos" Battle Groups.) In Afghasitan each Regiment was tasked with deployments/Rotations on combat tours. The PPCLI went in first. They wore our Woodland pattern CADPAT as Arid Region/Desert pattern was not in service yet and they used US HMMWVs until our Mercedez Benz G- Wagons were procured and deployed.

[@fredorman2429]

In the 50’s I was in the New York Army Nation National Guard and in the 60’s the NY State guard. In the NYARNG we were familiar only with the very basic dichotomy between state and federal. In the state guard we all considered it a fraternal organization, having no idea of any official significance. This video should be SOP for all military and police as well as politicians.

[@vincentkudelycz258]

you would be surprised how much the NYG has changed from that.

[@joshualittle877]

The New York State Guard like the Texas State Guard is a state Militia it has nothing what so ever to do with the actual Army and nothing to do with any of what he is talking about. The Army National Guard however despite being originally formed from what were Militia Units after the Dick Act of 1901 is not a Militia at all its a Reserve Component of the US Army. Yes they are under Command of the Governor when not Activated however they don't belong to the Governor thats merely part of a funding deal reached back in 1901. The Army and Later Air National Guard were designed from day one to be a Reserve Component of the Regular Army that could be mobilized by POTUS and sent to combat. He is also wrong about Army Reserve Combat Units only being in the Army National Guard and not in the Reserves. Thats mostly true but it's not at all 100% even today. For example there are Civil Affairs and PSYOPS units in the Army Reserves while not strictly speaking they are not combat arms they work as a part of USSOCOM. The largest component of USSOCOM are actually in the Army National Guard, those being the 19th and 20th Special Forces Groups. In fact across all services the only Special Operations units that don't have a reserve Component are the US Army Rangers and that's only since the 1990s. In the 1970s-1980s there were at the same time as the 75th Ranger Regiment independant Airborne Ranger Companies in the Army National Guard. Even Marine Recon, MARSOC, The US Navy SEALS and SWCC have Reserve Units. There is one Reserve Special Boat Unit and two Reserve SEAL Teams. There were in addition to the two National Guard Special Forces Groups already mentioned two additional Army Reserve Special Forces Groups the 11th and 12th Special Forces Groups that Remained a part of the Army Reserve until 1995 they were definitely Combat Arms hence his notion that the Army didn't have any combat units after the 1970s is simply not true.

[@HonorableDBowen]

Joshua, If I were you i would read into the US code some more. Title 32 makes it clear. State Defense forces also known as state guards are recognized military forces of the state in which they reside. Infact the national guard is not recognized as federal troops unless placed under title 10 usc when activated for war time. This is why national guardsmen and state guardsmen or defense forces do not get DD214s unless they have been activated under title 10. This is because national guard and state defense forces are title 32 soldiers and not title 10. Also you should read the NGB 10-4 regs.

[@Phoenix_OP]

Glad you mention about the State Defense Force

[@keagansimpson4118]

I’m a soldier in the Ohio Military Reserve (one of Ohio’s three state defense forces) and I found this video to be extremely helpful in understanding the command structure of the military. I would love to show this to other soldiers in my unit.

[@NovaScotiaNewfie]

Can you volunteer for deployment that would normally go to ANG or Army Reserve?

[@madworldfan123]

​@@NovaScotiaNewfienope. State defense forces can't be deployed overseas.

[@sketchesofpayne]

This is important information to understand. I also hope that more people in other countries will understand that the USA isn't a single entity. States govern themselves more that people think. It doesn't help that the media tends to make it seem like the federal government controls everything.

[@mpetersen6]

It also doesn't help that by and large school systems have stopped teaching civics classes. Far too many people seem to think that the Federal Government can do whatever it wants*. It can't. The Constitution states not only what the Federal Government may do. It more importantly states what it cannot do. The Constitutions for individual States similarly limit those states in terms of what the State may or may not do. *I'm personally amazed at the number of people who think that in order to change something about the Constitution all the Federal Government has to do is pass legislation. It goes back to civics lessons. Or the lack of them.

[@jic1]

The Swiss would probably get it. In fact, it seems to me that in many ways, they are even *less* one country than the USA.

[@timengineman2nd714]

@@mpetersen6 In fact the 10th Amendment (of the U.S.A. Constitution) clearly notes that unless it is expressly in the U.S.A. Constitution, those powers (and laws) are for the individual states alone! As for Civics Classes, a few years ago, I saw a humorous video about getting "Ivy League" (a group of private colleges that used to be renown for the level of education of their graduates) signing a Petition to Revoke the 1st Amendment! (For those of you that aren't from the U.S.A. they were signing a petition to revoke their right to "Peacefully Petition the Government"! (1st Amendment has several protections listed under it. Including: Religion, Speech, Assembly, etc.)

[@mpetersen6]

@@timengineman2nd714 These are the same people who will argue that the 2nd amendment does not apply to individuals when it is grouped with the amendments in the Bill of Rights that are concerned with the rights of the individual. I keep telling people if that is what they true,y believe then get control of Congress, the Presidency and state houses in order to get an amendment passed outlining what they want. They almost always reply why cant we just pass a law. They fail to understand that there are limits to what the Federal government can do.

[@timengineman2nd714]

@@mpetersen6 I forget which Founder of the U.S.A. & part of the group that wrote the Bill of Rights said: "The Second Amendment is the Foundation That The First Amendment is Built On."

[@TXMEDRGR]

As a member of the medical unit of the Texas State Guard, I was called to state duty for hurricanes several times and vaccination clinics each summer along the border. We worked along side the Texas National Guard. We also got paid by the state and had state IDs. We trained one day a month at a Texas National Guard armory. It was a great way to serve the community and enjoyable.

[@jarink1]

I remember being affected by these laws in '93. I was in the 1st ID, stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. (Regular Army). There were severe floods that summer and many states in the midwest declared disasters. Ft. Riley sits almost at the confluence of the Big Blue and Kansas rivers, both of which had dams and reservoirs flanking the post. As Federal Title X troops, we were NOT allowed to help with flood prevention, mitigation or rescue efforts, except on the actual post itself (being Federal property). This was the case even though many of us lived off post, including me. Only the 1st Engineer Battalion was designated as being able to assist in civilan disaster relief efforts (mostly providing direct support to the Army Corps of Engineers, who ran the dams). I don't know under what legal justification this was done. Other units were allowed (after a couple of days for command to get things straightened out legally) to assist off-post personnel only from their unit move belongings and family to safer locations. Even then, only a few trucks from each unit were allowed off-post. Off-hours, we were more or less free to volunteer to help civilian disaster efforts like filling sandbags and moving belongings. This was with the stipulation that we could not be ordered or even encouraged to do so by anyone in our chain of command. In fact, several of us were told to not even mention we were doing this to our superiors.

[@HonorableDBowen]

Agreed, I'm a title 32 soldier and after literally hours of reading us codes and talking with the NGB I learned there is a huge difference between title 10 and title 32 soldiers. One takeaway is the form DD214. If you are a guardsmen either national or state and do not serve 18 months on title 10 orders you will not get a dd214 when you separate. So much to learn, so little time haha.

[@gunnernrd94]

Thank you for your service! I am from the Ft.Riley area and have lived through a few floods here. You guys have helped SOO much.

[@neuroshrink]

Very well done! Thank you for including the State Guard in your description of forces. As a retired "Regular Army" Officer, I found new life as a member of the TXSG, serving under the Governor of Texas, who will allow service to a more mature age than Federal forces. The two roles don't conflict at all and you can serve in both capacities. One is Federal money, the other State. My CAC card now has a Texas flag.

[@neuroshrink]

And apologies for commenting prior to minute 17 of the video. I made an unwarranted assumption. ;-)

[@Nerukenshi1233]

Good morning sir, As a formerly Active Duty enlisted Marine, I was planning on returning to Texas in a few months and enlisting in the Maritime Regiment. I was told they no longer wear Marpat, or the Air force utilities, and I was curious if you would be willing and able to confirm that for me. If you're still willing to help out a young Marine, I would love to hear what service in the State guard is like, and what to expect. Thank you for your time Sir

[@jsorbieus]

Served two years in the Army of The United States and didn’t know it. I thought the US on my dog tags meant “Unwilling Service”. Thanks for this video, very interesting.

[@cdhaware319]

😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@AthAthanasius]

This was definitely interesting. Summary: It's complicated (by how it's the United **States** of America).

[@jantschierschky3461]

Many Republics out there eg Germany, Australia however army is national only

[@1337flite]

Yes. Interestingly it's not nearly as complicated in The Commonweath of Australia which is also a federation of states (as well as a Commonweath) in the exactly same sense as the US, i.e. the states were established as independant colonies/provinces (political states), with their own heads of state. We' ve just decided to eschew traditional perogatives in order to have a functioning more or less uniform system of governance and administration. The weird bit for us is the same person is the head of state for each state and the fedration she just wears different hats depending on what juristiction she is exerising power for. That person also happens to wear a hat as the the reigning British monarch, alhtough when she is exercising powers on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, she is Elizabeth, Queen of Australia, not Eliabeth Queen of the United Kingdom. As noted by Jan above in Australia the army is national only, BUT the tradition of pre -federation state based forces is reflected in in army reserve infantry units, and to a lesser extent Royal Australian Amoured Corps units. Infantry ceremonial regiments include the state name for reserve units. Regular army units of the infantry belong (ceremonially) to the Royal Australian Regiment e.g. 3 RAR whereas the infantry units of the army reserve belong to state based regiments, e.g. 27 RSAR (Royal South Australian Regiment). In my state the local reserve cavlary unit is the SAMR - South Australian Mounted Rifles, wheras the regular units are all simply numbered, e.g. 1 Armoured Regiment, 2nd Cavalry Regiment etc. As far as I know there is no legal distinction with regards to things like Defence Force Aid to the Civil Power (assistance in law enforcement) or Defence Force Aid to the Civil Community (assistance in disaster relief, managing large events and the like) - both Regular and Reserves are treated the same from a legal perspective. The ceremonal regiments are all united however under the corps system. All Armoured/Cav units regular or reservist, state or national ceremonial regiment belong to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). Same for the infantry, all infantry regiments are part of the Royal Australian Infantry (RAInf) which is the infantry corps. The Corps are responsible for things like training, standards, equipment selection, doctrine, organisation etc AFAIK they don't have any separate legal juristiction to the rest of the Army, which is all based on federal law and common law, all of which supersedes pretty much all state law. Naturally as an Aussie I think our system actually makes sense.

[@vinsonnash7219]

That's an awesome story (re: signing your own warrant)

[@GCJT1949]

This is the result of Commissioning a man with a legal education. Geoff Who watches wild talents.

[@JasperFromMS]

That was excellent. I'm retired from state emergency management and that's the best presentation MSCA that I have ever seen. I also must brag that I knew about the NOAA and USPHS Commissioned Corps. I worked with both species of officers during Katrina.

[@stoutyyyy]

A friend from college just commissioned in the NOAA Corps

[@russellweatherly9625]

As a commander of an infantry company in the California National Guard, I court martialed my first AWOL. It came as quite a surprise to the miscreant who wound up spending thirty day in the county jail.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

I bet you didn't have to do that again anytime soon either XD

[@stvdagger8074]

You misspelled "court martial". Are you related to Captain Sobel?

[@doncarlton4858]

If you are active duty and are arrested by local authorities and sent to civilian prison, you are also subject to Court Martial for "Desertion", "Disgracing the Uniform" and "Conduct Unbecoming".

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@doncarlton4858 assuming that the locals didn't throw the miscreant back to his unit. It'd take a pretty odd crime for that to happen.

[@Delgen1951]

@@doncarlton4858 all of the above.

[@The_O40]

I appreciate you talking about state guards they are often looked over and underappreciated. You will probably see in the comments to come tons of info about them as people will comment.

[@kennetth1389]

Here was quirk of the TxARNG (TX army nat guard) back in the 80's. Upon my discharge from the RA, being a Texan I was allowed the choice of becoming a reservist or a guardsman. As there were no cbt engr reserve units in my area, I joined the guard cbt engr battalion in my area. They did change my RA cpl rank to a NG spec4. Not really any skin off my nose.

[@MagicalGeekMV]

Chief, you just have gave me a headache... why is the pain so good!...

[@exactinmidget92]

I remember being in the Guard in California and our unit blowing its budget in 6 months. We ended up getting half pay for the rest of the year and unsurprisingly half the unit stopped showing up.

[@pscwplb]

I would argue that for a citizen soldier military civics is not a contradiction in terms

[@mpetersen6]

I would argue that a course in civics should be requirement for all citizens. It is my opinion that immigrants who become citizens often know more about civics than those born here.

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@mpetersen6 I would agree with you. I'd go so far as to say that everyone should have to take and pass the citizenship classes. Though I'd be somewhat nice and make them part of the high school graduation requirements.

[@davidburroughs2244]

Civics used to be taught in a half year course in our junior/middle schools. I caught mine first in California in 8th grade and in Arkansas in 9th grade once we moved there. Getting two perspectives from two different states made me a favorite with the teacher, as it made me aware of the questions I needed to ask to improve my understanding. Still was not an expert but it began to make it clear that two states can look at the same thing in two different ways.

[@enjoyinsanity7065]

Regarding the private state-licensed militia thing, Pennsylvania has no official state guard but there's a lobbyist group/militia that's pushing for its reestablishment. So there's your example.

[@freedomloverusa3030]

Same in Florida, it have a non active State Defense Force, but just like Pennsylvania, there is a push to activate it.

[@AndrewAMartin]

As if there weren't more important things to spend state tax money on... They should have to be self-funded -- let them do bake sales or chicken barbecues like a volunteer fire company.

[@Zorro9129]

@@AndrewAMartin That would basically be a private militia in that case.

[@AndrewAMartin]

@@Zorro9129 That's what these jack wagons want, plus legitimacy from the state, so they can play Army and bully people with their 'authority'...

[@Zorro9129]

@@AndrewAMartin I agree entirely. However I still would prefer a state guard to a national equivalent. Your governor may range from okay to terrible, but the national government is pretty consistently terrible.

[@irahynes2299]

Thank you for your well spoken explaination. I spent 26 years in the US Coast Guard and working with most US military branches with all the confusion of who can do what/when. Please tell us more.

[@jarink1]

I wish he'd gone into the Coast Guard a little more, since they are a part of the DoT in peacetime and have law enforcement powers.

[@booqueefious2230]

@@jarink1 it used to be DoT but now it's DHS. I think they changed it after 911. Same concept though

[@grumpyboomer61]

Nice coverage of an interesting, and to some degree, unknown subject. Especially on the subject of National Guard vs. State Militia.

[@Tishirobearcat]

Loved the AWOL enforcement!

[@basher20]

My understanding is that Space Force is still part of the Department of the Air Force, and thus bears a relationship to the parent service similar to that of the Marine Corps to the Navy. The Posse Comitatus Act should still apply to Space Force personnel. Back when I was in the Civil Air Patrol my understanding was that members who were also state law enforcement personnel surrendered their ability to enforce state law and even make common law arrests while in CAP uniform or otherwise on CAP missions. Mission status was also a legal slice and dice, since there were multiple agencies who could request and/or authorize activities that may or may not be considered missions.

[@truechaos6927]

The Space Force does still answer to the Department of the Air Force similarly to how the Marines are under the Department of the Navy, but the main difference between them is, the Marines were at one time a separate group of their own from the time they were first formed as the Continental Marines in November 1775 until 1834 when they were moved under the Department of the Navy, with a small gap from 1783 when they along with the Continental Navy were disbanded and then reformed in 1798 as the US Marines. The Space Force branched off of the Air Force in a similar way that the Air Force branched off of the Army.

[@Phoenix_OP]

I'm a State Guardsman and I can confirm what he said about the Organize State Militias. Texas State Guard is poorly trained and unarmed, while California State Guard is well training and equipped

[@Nerukenshi1233]

Are you speaking from TXSG experience, California's State Guard experience, both, or neither? Do you think it's worth the time to serve in the TXSG?

[@3rdgr2t11]

Have a question so if a state guard unit is integrated into a national guard unit and that national guard unit deploys can the integrated personal deploy with the national guard unit? Even if it’s out of state?

[@HonorableDBowen]

@@3rdgr2t11 yes, it happens. You read they dont but alaskas deploy out of state all the time.

[@ocorbitt]

Excellent introduction to the arcane structure of the US Armed Forces. For the advanced lesson sequel, you can discuss how almost all ARNG officers also hold USAR commissions and the difference between unit vacancy promotions initiated by the state which are subject to Federal recognition and promotions initiated by Department of the Army Promotion Selection Boards that are subject to state military department approval. Or you can discuss the difference between M-Day Soldiers, Dual-Status Technicians, Active Guard Reseve Soldiers and Guard bums. On second thought, KZbin probably doesn't have enough server space to hold all the videos required to unpack all the wonderful weiredness of service in the National Guard, so never mind . . . seriously, from a retired Guard 06, well done.

[@jimreilly917]

🤣

[@alphasierrazulu]

FWIW, one of his Q&A videos covered his own promotion from MAJ to LTC and the intricacies involved. The KZbin app doesn't make it easy for me to link here and now, but anticipate a second comment with the link or the video name.

[@alphasierrazulu]

Q&A #21, we'll see if the link works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaDYhH95rJp7h5I

[@ab5olut3zero95]

Great video Sir! Would love to hear more topics like this. Been a Guardsman for 12 years- SC n TN- and knew about 80% of what you presented but genuinely enjoyed the clarification.

[@glypnir]

It's a new dimension to the Chieftains nerdiness. My wife the attorney is even interested in watching it. Lots of fascinating content.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

She may not be shocked to discover i have a law degree and am married to an attorney

[@glypnir]

@@TheChieftainsHatch impressive quick reply too. She says she's not surprised. It's good being married to the right attorney, although I hear they make up a fairly small percentage of the overall attorney population.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

@Lawofimprobability University College Dublin.

[@thechillywinds5810]

Thought this was about militirized Hondas for a second.

[@wingracer1614]

As a Civic owner and unknowing member of the Virginia Militia, I resemble that remark

[@thechillywinds5810]

@@wingracer1614 90% of the videos recommended to me are honda/acura related so my brain has been left with only one context to use the word civic.

[@thechillywinds5810]

@@tsmith9586 The exhaust on my civic could be weaponized to great affect as psychological warfare.

[@moconnell663]

@@tsmith9586 honestly, that seems like an excellent way to reduce operating and maintenance costs.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Does that mean reading the owner's manual of a Honda automobile qualifies as a "Civics lesson?"

[@durandol]

The Chieftain's a Guardsman? Where's his lasgun?

[@oswaldchai9865]

Which regiment does he belongs to? Cadian Shock Troopers?

[@sorenweber5684]

Who needs a Lasgun when you have a Shovel

[@Ihasanart]

Hiding within his Emotional Support Missile.

[@Andrewza1]

@@oswaldchai9865 steel legion

[@alexreams1060]

I'd actually never heard of the Army pf the United States vs Regular Army distinction, even though the RA/NG/AR bit is fairly well understood in the Army. Very neat.

[@carl5381]

"Ike when we get back stateside, I swear I'm going to have your ass doing flutter kicks from now until eternity" -Patton, probably.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

_"He was Regular Army too."_ -- APOCALYPSE NOW [1979] {Watching this video reminded me of that quote.}

[@jeffknight9604]

That explains a lot. My uncle went into the Army at the start of Korea. After his tour there and a stint as a Drill Sgt, he went into the Reserves for the next 35 years. While in the Reserves, he was promoted to CSM. When he passed away, he was buried in the Veterans Cemetery in Quincy, IL. To my aunts shock and dismay, when they put his grave marker up, it read Sgt E4 (his rank when he left active duty and joined the Reserves).

[@JackDrinkn2DollarJim]

Reminds me of of a bulletin board covered in photos and article for an investigation and there are thumb tacks and stings going every which way.

[@IanMcleod911]

Great video Chieftain... And thank you for your service! 10 year veteran US Army, NYARNG and IRR

[@Mirageknight2133]

Sure Greg maybe your commander in chief, but pray tell, guardsman, WHO IS YOUR COMMISSAR!?

[@nicholaspatton5590]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHPJd3eKhbWfl68

[@dropdead234]

The man standing behind you with a cocked pistol, and a very annoyed expression.

[@FirstNameLastName-tg3rc]

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who thought WH40K when he mentioned commissar.

[@thurin84]

@@nicholaspatton5590 UHH OOHHH!

[@carl5381]

well since a few years ago the governor may call himself the CIC but the guard are now allowed to be activated without his permission with the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act so the president is now CIC of them too. More Fed centralizing power bullshit.

[@clintonr9804]

Can you go over a little of that again? Starting with the stuff about "military civics". That being said -- welcome, we're glad you're here.

[@bobteachout3779]

Very good video. I'm glad that he brought up the State militias - as most people do not know about it.

[@CivilWarWeekByWeek]

You forgot about our Team America world police branch of the military

[@USSAnimeNCC-]

Durka Durka Mohamed jihad

[@woochang405]

Trump has been trying hard not to be but fighting the swamp ain’t pretty

[@gobblox38]

@@woochang405 Trump is the swamp

[@SonsOfLorgar]

@@gobblox38 or, more to the point: The toupé wearing swamp troll...

[@woochang405]

@@gobblox38 common answer from a spiteful leftist mutant

[@dfostman6014]

Thank you, nicely done. That deserves 3 or 4 fingers of your choice beverage. I've always liked the sound of Army of the United States vs. United States Army.

[@toddhulsey2480]

Chieftan, I'm going to echo Dan Fitzpatrick's comments, below, and say this is the most informative and concise briefing on this subject and this video should be mandatory viewing at the Captain's Career Course AND Command & Staff College. The number of senior regular officers in the joint force and members of the Secretariat at the OSD who could use a viewing of this video are legion. Thank you for making this video!

[@DasFlank]

Former Arkansas Guardsmen here, thanks for the information. Its quite interesting

[@peteranderson037]

Hey, my basic training unit was D Co. 1/46 Inf., across the parade grounds from 2/46! I still think that the movie "Stripes" is one of the most accurate portrayals of US Army basic training ever committed to film.

[@mpetersen6]

Stripes

[@peteranderson037]

@@mpetersen6 Thanks.

[@flight2k5]

🙄

[@battlejitney2197]

Ha, ha! I went through A Co. 1/46 in the late 80’s.

[@doncarlton4858]

It probably was in the mid 1970s!

[@n5syr01]

September 1986, I joined the AR National Guard as a 17 yr old high school student. 1989, I transferred to active duty with the US Army, stationed in West Germany. M60, M60A3, and M1A1. I walked both sides if the duty fence.

[@SoloRenegade]

I was combat arms in the Army Reserve, an entire battalion, then later renumbered and it got a bit confusing but still combat arms, and was Not part of the 100th. My unit deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. And rather highly decorated, but I doubt our story will ever be properly told.

[@alanbrown5593]

What a strange organisational structure. Everyone knows the Navy comes first. Merry Christmas from Scotland.

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

Problem is it's different in Britain. Ironically, there is a similarity between the US and the UK and that both had a pretty strong aversion to official standing armies for a long time, whereas most European continental powers had originally adopted them. So in a sense the Army were kind of "amateur" - not that they were necessarily unskilled, but it just wasn't a permanent career path. Even going back a few hundred years ago, owning and using warships was a fairly complicated and technical task. It's not something you can just call up guys on two months notice when you need to fight a war. There has to be a pretty permanent component that builds ships, trains people to use them, and maintains them. Hence why a professional Navy almost always predated a professional Army. That said, the United States is a little bit different because it was born out of a war, which means there had to be an army from the beginning. And even though politically there was a long-running aversion to having a large standing army, we never fully got rid of it from the beginning.

[@alanbrown5593]

@@Laotzu.Goldbug I could say not different, just wrong. Cut me I bleed navy blue. I would agree that due to the historical nature, the formation of an army or perhaps more accurately a militia, would predate the Navy for the US. It can be difficult at times for us in the UK, to fully comprehend the structural differences between both regular/reservists/state forces and who then has both operational control and also political oversight. An interesting video though.

[@TankToChest]

Wish I could come over there and liberate your country bro…

[@alanbrown5593]

@@TankToChest No need, but I thank you for your kind offer. Stay safe and well.

[@jamesstodola3582]

These differences in rank as mentioned is called "Theater rank" which is difference from peacetime rank..

[@battlejitney2197]

Thanks for explaining this. Most Americans have no idea how all this works, even a lot of folks in the military! Early on in my career, I was in something called the Simultaneous Membership Program, which allowed me be in both the Washington National Guard and the Army Reserve Officer Training Program at the same time, holding two “ranks”: E-5 Sergeant in the Guard, and Officer Cadet in the ROTC. I drilled with my Guard unit (Armor) monthly (and AT in summer), shadowing a platoon leader or platoon sergeant. During this dual enrollment, I always wore cadet rank. I received an active duty appointment, at which time I was discharged from the Washington National Guard and commissioned into the Army Reserve as a 2nd Lieutenant. When I left the Army a decade later, I was discharged from the Army Reserve. I believe if I had stayed in the National Guard when I finished ROTC, I would have been released from the Army Reserves and promoted from Sergeant to 2LT in the Guard. Thanks for spelling this out as clearly as anyone possibly can.

[@kellymouton7242]

Thanks Chieftain,.great explanation of how States are involved and the real drivers of military activity. Going to share with my Company mates in my State Guard unit.

[@connorhus]

The Reserve kept combat arms units well into the 1980's I know for sure. I know the 102nd moved to an ARCOM but still retained their Arty Battalion into 1986 for sure but was later changed into a transport company.

[@doncarlton4858]

The last Combat Arms units were swapped with support units in the Guard after the Gulf War.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Uhm, the 116th Cavalry BCT would like to say hi. That's the Idaho National guard unit, which has Abrams, Bradleys, M109s, and at least used to have Apaches. (I need to look at the flight line again).

[@heatherryan9820]

I'm a Disabled Army Veteran who is originally from Nevada. This was very interesting, and I didn't know a lot of that information. Thanks for the info. Also, it was such a relief to hear someone say 'Nevada' correctly. When I first clicked on the video, I thought you were talking about TRADOC, CENTCOM, NORCOM, etc.

[@markgaudry7549]

II grew up in an Army family. I studied Military history. I could never understand how these armies worked until today. Thank you very much. Where does the active reserve fit in? I didn't quite get that part.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

They are paid to operate full-time in order to keep the organization ticking over in between training sessions, but for Guardsmen are Title 32, and Army Reserve are title 10.

[@doncarlton4858]

@@TheChieftainsHatchAGRs or "Active Guard-Reserve" status who are active duty permanently attached to a guard unit (all with Texas license plates on their cars! 😂). The "Technicians" Dept of the Army or Air Force civil servants during the week (and union members) Guardsmen or Reservists on the Drill Weekend. Then there are the "Armourers"! 😂😂😂 Simple Eh?

[@jarink1]

I believe all Army Reservists are Title X no matter if they are full-time (can also be "active" for training) or just do the monthly drills.

[@doncarlton4858]

@@jarink1 Yes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard Reserve are only Federal status.

[@markgaudry7549]

@@TheChieftainsHatch Thank you. Can you explain why all Warrant Officers were active reserve and served right along side regular Army during the late 60's.

[@saltyroe3179]

Loved this. My father in law was inducted into the regular army at the beginning of WW2 and never sent to basic training and never learned to shoot a gun. Apparently there was a procedure used for inducting Indian Scouts that was used

[@TotalRookie_LV]

National guard of my country is pretty closely cooperating with Michigan National guard. I guess, now I understand a bit better why and how it's specifically Michigan one, not a nationwide US one.

[@rph111745]

Another point of confusion for some guardsmen is annual training, some people think it is active duty, but it is not. In the guard, I was a Military Police NCO, and one time I had to explain to a 2LT that the Federal Posse Comitatus Act did not apply to us. At the time there was an organization known as the Law Enforcement Assistance Force (LEAF) in which all army guard MP and Air Guard SF personnel that were MOS qualified and had completed a POST-certified training course, could be employed as peace officers during declared emergencies. I did three call-ups, two to protect rich people's property from looters, and for the 1984 Olympics in LA.

[@ThroneOfBhaal]

Well that was fascinating, thank you for explaining, it's always been a source of some confusion. It is indeed a little messy, but I can see how you got there. It's quite a bit simpler here, a lot less hats.

[@nonpartisangunowner4524]

Sir, thank you for taking the time to sum this up. I’ve never had the organization broken down like this, thanks for piecing things together and clarifying a good deal of confusion! 91B CAARNG 2017 - present.

[@TraysonMartin]

The State of Georgia technically has an air militia. However, it only services transport aircraft and electronic warfare aircraft. Nevertheless it's an air militia for the State of Georgia.

[@7gibbens]

As a non American that was concise, well presented and highly informative. Many thanks from Australia.

[@duanecampbell2515]

Cool presentation!

[@davidlisovtsev6607]

probably your most interesting video up to today

[@Perfusionist01]

Interesting. My father was appointed TAG for the Nebraska National Guard in 1978. At that time the regs said that he had to be a Brigadier General for a year (he had been a Col) before he could be federally recognized as a Major General. So for a year he was one of those that you described; he was a Major General inside the state of Nebraska but he was only recognized as a Brigadier General if he went to DC on business or had other federal military duties. I don't know if he had to switch insignia or not (by that time I was not living at home anymore). I don't know anything about his income at that time but I was under the impression that he drew a federal check for a BG for that year, then was paid appropriate to his permanent rank (MG). He did describe having to go to "charm school" for general officers after he was appointed - an interesting detail (to me at least).

[@doncarlton4858]

When I was in you had to be a Federally Recognized Major.

[@randomnobodovsky3692]

That's an interesting piece to add to the subject. Thank you! "Charm school" is quite understandable, considering that generals' work is around, about and with people - some of which happen to be politicians.

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@randomnobodovsky3692 point of order! I don't believe that politicians can be described as "people". 😜

[@glypnir]

@@ScottKenny1978 I'm an engineer, and I'm not good at politics. I always resented it, but I've finally figured out that it's necessary. Politicians at their best can persuade a whole bunch of people to get together and do something. Because of the politics, it may never be a perfect technical solution, but without the politicians, it would not happen at all. Perhaps if the French politicians had done better, their WWII experience may have gone differently. So I've concluded that politicians are a necessary evil.

[@gemyniraptor8626]

Long time follower and fellow NG member, greatly appreciate this vid! Even having 18 years in I still learning some of the legal murky waters that is the relationship between the NG and the RA or State vs Fed control. Also often confusing to explain to civilians. Excellent vid, many thanks SFC, NYARNG

[@Kosh800]

I have to say, while I knew most of the basics of what you said (I'm a US citizen with military family) I didn't know the details and I didn't know ANYTHING about State Militia. I knew of the Guards, obviously, but when someone mentioned a State Militia I just always assumed they were referring to the Guard. That was an interesting thing to learn so thanks.

[@Flurb_Xray]

Interesting, As an European I had no idea how complicated it is. I knew there is US Army and National Guard in the US. But never had an idea it is even more complicated. Thank you.

[@zorin234]

This was a very informing video. Thank you Chief.

[@MN-pu6qx]

Excellent presentation on a very interesting subject.

[@ZGryphon]

Back when I worked for a local newspaper (sadly now defunct), I had occasion to go and chat with the crew of an Army National Guard helicopter that had been called in to rescue a stranded hiker from a nearby mountain, which happens two or three times a year around here. They were _extremely keen_ to make sure I understood, and would report, that despite the fact that they were undeniably operating an aircraft, they belonged to the _Army_ National Guard. Not the Air National Guard! Those guys fly tankers! That's great if you want a hundred thousand pounds of JP-8, but it's no help at all if you're lost in the woods! It was hilarious how earnest they were about it. Mind you, I knew that already, but I didn't tell them that, it would have spoiled their fun. :)

[@colbeausabre8842]

On a percentage basis, you have a better chance of flying in the Army than the Air Force

[@ZGryphon]

@@colbeausabre8842 True. Conversely, when I was in high school, one of the things the Air Force recruiter assigned to my school used to do to try and steer people toward his service was point out that in the Air Force, officers get shot at a lot more often than enlisted personnel, whereas in the Army it's the other way around.

[@doncarlton4858]

One of the fiercest interservice rivalries is Air Guard (ANG) VS Army Guard (ARNG) in the same state!. We in the Air Guard felt we were part of the US Air Force and the Army Guard treated us as the red headed step children. Then I transferred to the Air Force Reserve and found they hated the Air Guard ("Why does a governor need his own air force?").

[@Ghatbkk]

Very well done

[@stephenbritton9297]

And you only covered the Army... In the list of uniformed services, you forgot the UN-uniformed service, the Merchant Marine.

[@jarink1]

And the weird mix of military and civilian responsibilities of the Army Corps of Engineers

[@Glove513]

Wasn’t the Merchant Marine a uniformed service in WW2?

[@Glove513]

Robert Kiyosaki of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” fame received a commission into the Marine Corps from the Merchant Marine Academy and went on to fly helicopters in Vietnam. I would love to hear more about the Merchant Marine, the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, State Militias and the rumored tactical units inside of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association.

[@timengineman2nd714]

@@Glove513 They do have uniforms, but aren't technically part of the defense of the US of A.... They did have US Navy gun crews on their ships during WW2, and did help crew the guns during combat (unofficially of course!)

[@ZGryphon]

@@Glove513 Oh come on, you can't just drop a phrase as epic as "the rumored tactical units inside of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration" without some background. What would they even be for? Taking out people who think it's them rather than the amateurs over at The Weather Channel who started naming snowstorms like they were hurricanes? :)

[@martygraw9708]

Small clarification regarding Army Special Operations formations. Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations have both Active and Reserve units. Special Forces have both Active and National Guard units.

[@colbeausabre8842]

A bit of correction. Under the National Defense Act of 1920, the 1st through 25th Infantry Divisions and the 1st though 3d Cavalry Divisions were Regular Army, The 26th through 50th Infantry Divisions and the 21st through 24th Cavalry Divisions were (Army) National Guard.. The 51st through 104th Infantry Divisions - and the 61st through 66th Cavalry Divisions were part of the Organized Reserve Corps (Now Army Reserve). There were gaps - the 46th through 50th Infantry divisions were never raised, the 11th, 13th and 17th Airborne Divisions and the 23rd (Americal) Division occupied spaces in the RA Infantry sequence. The 12th (Philippine) Division was a mixture of RA and Philippine Scout personnel. The reserve and guard cavalry divisions were never mobilized as such, their troops were called up individually, the 3rd Cavalry division was never organized., the 2nd Cavalry Division was organized, partially stood down, rebuilt as a "colored" unit, shipped to North Africa and stood down, The 82nd and 101st Airborne transferred to the regulars post WW2. The 1st through 4th Armored divisions were regulars. All the remaining armored divisions, the 92nd and 93rd Infantry divisions (Colored) and 106th Infantry Divisions were AUS or "Hostilities Only" formations. And that's` just 1921-46. Post-war is even more complex. - for example, New Jersey lost its 44th Infantry Division, but gained the 50th Armored Division. Texas had both the 36th Infantry and 49th Armored divisions. Someday, I plan to chart it all out. And this doesn't even consider all the non-divisional units! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_divisions_during_World_War_II

[@pdx650]

The Chieftan, thank you for all of this information I did not know about. I will be sharing this video with my unit (army Reserve) to enlighten them. Thanks.

[@Hawlsey]

Pretty cool summary! Not too many today point out that "United States" is plural! :)

[@ScottKenny1978]

That changed in the general spoken language after the Civil War. Before the Civil War, it was always "these United States" or "the United States are". After the Civil War, that changed to "the United States is".

[@michaelsudsysutherland5353]

Great little history and civics lesson. I greatly appreciated it. I served 6 years 11 months Active duty Air Force (aligned to Army combat units as a TACP, not 'attached' and that's important) and upon the end of my Inactive Reserve and Military Service Obligation (of eight years) I enlisted in my USC Title 32 State Guard (at the time, the Alaska State Defense Force) for another few years of unpaid volunteer service where we provided ALL of our own uniforms, equipment, and yes firearms and ammunition (if needed). Since leaving Alaska, I've not been involved in any military service beyond sending on of my kids into the Civil Air Patrol (Air Force Auxillary service) cadet program. CAP has an interesting history, especially chasing U-boats off the coast of the US during WWII.... State Guard units have responded to a number of disasters and crisis in recent years, such as NY SG providing guards at airports and even Army installations in New York following 9/11 and the mass activation of National Guard, Reserves, and Federal soldiers in the area.

[@TXMEDRGR]

I served in a similar role in the Texas State Guard. We only got paid when called to active state duty, which happened a few times for hurricanes. Interestingly, Texas law required my employer allow me time off for active state duty.

[@motomuto3313]

I joined Civil Air Patrol before joining the Army.In CAP I was a 2lt, in the Army I was a privet. During my short time I was in before being medically discharged, I was permitted to have both uniforms so long as I wasn't doing CAP business on Army time. I was able to have my CAP uniforms laundered with my Army uniforms. My sergeants were confused about both uniforms until I showed my paperwork. To further confuse everyone, I was permitted to wear both my Army unit patch as well as my CAP wing patch on my CAP uniform. I could wear my Army ribbons on my Cap ribbon rack, but only wear my Cap membership ribbon on my Army rack.

[@Jacob-pu4zj]

2lt or C/2lt?

[@doncarlton4858]

You should have joined USAF. You got promoted to Airmen First Class, E-3 if you were a CAP Cadet.

[@motomuto3313]

@@Jacob-pu4zj I was a full 2lt

[@motomuto3313]

@@doncarlton4858 I was too tall for Air Force. I was 6ft 5 back then. I did get E-2 in the Army.

[@Jacob-pu4zj]

@@motomuto3313 Ah, ok. I was a cadet.

[@christofferwillenfort4035]

@The_ Chieftain I want to thank you for posting this. It has become invaluable in showing the rather complex (Messy ?) situation when non americans talk about "bringing in the national guard regarding the storming in DC. (Not that i can figure out exactly who could and could not call them in but i get the complexity :) )

[@timengineman2nd714]

Now it has been a number of Decades since I was in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Philadelphia. HOWEVER, when I joined 2 Rifle Clubs (so I had a place to safely shoot my pistols, rifles and shotgun) I was informed that technically, I had to be registered as a member of the States (Delaware & Pennsylvania) Militias. I also had to do a background check to see if I was qualified (Active U.S. Navy with a Secret Clearance....which everyone found a humorous bit of governmental illogic!) "If it makes good common sense and is extremely logical, there has to be a regulation against it somewhere."

[@timengineman2nd714]

Sorry forgot to note that this is why I wonder if those 2 Clubs would qualify as part of a regulated militia for call up duty at their respective Governors decision....

[@jonh7480]

This is awesome! Very well done. I've spent 18 years in the Army, between Active Duty and Army Reserve. I come across people very often that have no clear concept of how this works. Now I can just reference them to this video!

[@untruelie2640]

This is the most convoluted organizational mess I have ever heard about. May Clausewitz save us all.

[@glypnir]

Clausewitz is good for the Prussian geopolitical situation. Like the Russians, the Brits, and the Chinese, beating us at one critical point, or even ten, doesn't necessarily really do much. At least if we're talking about armies. Nuclear weapons are different. Although I don't think Clausewitz talked much about mutual assured destruction either.

[@untruelie2640]

@@glypnir I'm sorry, but I don't really know what point you want to make. This was just a joke, replacing the stereotypical "May God save us all" with "May Clausewitz save us all"... You know, because he was one of the most intelligent and influential military thinkers of all time. Also, I'm not not one of "you".

[@glypnir]

@@untruelie2640 It was mainly just a chance for me to pontificate. The points I made were the ones I wanted to make. I'm not sure what you mean about what "you" you're not part of. I guarantee you that I don't fit whatever stereotype you are assigning me to. By the way, I agree that its a convoluted organizational mess, but I imagine that you could find other similar messes in lots of military organizations. It has generally gotten going fairly well at least for actual declared wars. Our Army and Navy get along somewhat compared to situations like Japan in WWII. But it's true than when I get annoyed by confusion, inefficiency and management egos in my corporate job, I read military history, and my situation looks positively idyllic.

[@michaelgorham7678]

I enjoyed your dissertation on the breakdown of the branches.

[@rsherhod]

That was really interesting. As a Brit is seems bafflingly complex, but still interesting.

[@flight2k5]

It’s not really complex at all

[@andresmartinezramos7513]

@@flight2k5 Compared to most of Europe's systems, it is

[@doncarlton4858]

Only confusing if you don't understand that each US State is a sovereign nation in a confederation with all the others.

[@flight2k5]

@@andresmartinezramos7513 I guess we’re more intelligent?

[@andresmartinezramos7513]

@@flight2k5 I would argue a more complex system is less effective so arguably less intelligent. Why did you have to bring "we are more intelligent" nonsense into this?

[@alexsanders5351]

Big fan Sir. I was in HHC 1-185th in San Bernardino same time you were in Riverside. Keep up the awesome work.

[@flyingpigs8030]

Will you ever make a video about your path/experience with the military? Or maybe a stories video like you did with the Abrams?

[@Bob_Betker]

Chieftain: Excellent explanation of the topic. I am retired Army Guardsman (26 years) and spent about 13 years assigned to the afore-mentioned National Guard Bureau. It was an interesting and enlightening time. I remember when the concept of Joint Title 10/32 Duty surfaced and my Active Duty brethren looked at us in total shock, it was like we were asking that US Army troops to serve under a foreign commander. Eventually, calmer heads prevailed and it seems the concept is now working pretty well. There are two states that have elected Adjutants General. In South Carolina, it is a publicly elected position, the only requirement to be on the ballot was that the person running had to be in either the Army or Air National Guard. I kind of remember that one time an ANG Staff Sergeant was elected to serve as AG, that might be the story you are thinking of. In Vermont, the AG is elected by the General Assembly; then LTC Rainville was elected to serve as AG and was one of those who had to revert to their old rank when leaving the state. She eventually got Federal Recognition as a general officer. Enjoy the videos, keep up the great work.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

South Carolina changed its system a few years ago, the current AG was appointed by the Governor. Vermont continues to be as you describe.

[@KAptKubel]

This was awesome. Will you break down civil service next?

[@doncarlton4858]

Brahahaha! Funny! It would be easier to explain the Collected works of Tolkien in a 10 minute video! 😂😂😂

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

Just watch "Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister", it'll do the job.

[@jic1]

@@TheChieftainsHatch I always wondered why people said 'That show is exactly like real life!' in a tone that made them sound enchanted, not terrified...

[@KAptKubel]

@@TheChieftainsHatch I just looked that up, and it's hilarious! Thanks.

[@Slickgoodlin]

When I enlisted in the Army in 1972 and went to Basic Training, about half of my Training Company were draftees. When entering the Mess Hall for meals, for bookkeeping purposes, we had to call out whether we were RA for Regular Army, or US, for draftees. Our Drill Sergeant screamed, "That's RA, as in Real American or US, as in Useless Shit !!".

[@joshualittle877]

Only about 25% of the force was drafted during Vietnam and the vast majority of draftees never actually went to Vietnam. None the less for those that did a disproportionately high number of them died there.

[@martindice5424]

Dear Lord mate! Is this the future for a federated UK? Bloody hell. #confuseddotcom.

[@Kettenhund31]

Thanks for this one, Chieftain, it's interesting to see how someone else's Armed Forces are organised... It's so complicated that I am surprised that the re-enactors aren't in there somewhere!

[@Glove513]

No kidding!

[@lentulus01]

Thanks! Not being American, I've never had a clear picture of how that all works.

[@doncarlton4858]

I served in the Active Duty, Guard and Reserve and we didn't have a clear picture of it either!

[@ernstbergerbrent]

I've been in the guard for 6 years and this is the best explanation of title 10 and title 32 orders that I've heard.