Guarding the Homeland
National Guard, Reserve, and Coast Guard members step up the pace.
By Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret.

If you’re “lucky” enough to have been stationed in Washington, D.C., you know what August in the nation’s capital is like: blazing heat, oppressive humidity, outlandish traffic. Tourists pour in to museums and monuments. Members of Congress slip away on recess for most of the month. Native Washingtonians look for any excuse to escape to mountains or shores. But, somehow, the nation’s business continues. 

These days, our country’s defense business moves at a rapid pace. The situation is still dicey in Iraq. International threats loom on the horizon. And at home, security measures take progressively more time and effort. One thing’s for sure: August won’t bring a recess for the men and women of our armed forces. 

This month we feature two of the more unusual facets of our defense establishment. These are forces that have seen profound changes and mission growth in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. First, through two stories, we highlight the National Guard and Reserve. Full partners in protecting our country at home and overseas, reserve forces shoulder a huge chunk of national defense these days. 

“The events of [Sept. 11] represented a fundamental shift in the use of the Guard and Reserves, compared to how we used them in the 1990s,” says Rear Adm. Thomas F. Hall, USN-Ret., assistant secretary of defense for Reserve Affairs. “We have mobilized over 286,000 reserve component members since [Sept. 11], and [more than] 223,000 are on duty today.” Hall, in the story “Keeping Pace with Change” on page 50, outlines the challenges faced by today’s reserve components. 

Deployments are always stressful for families, whether active duty, Guard, or Reserve. But longer and more frequent mobilizations of reserve component members put special pressure on those families. Fortunately, the services are tackling family support issues. The story “Help at Home,” on page 56, explores efforts to assist military families. 

Another facet of national defense that has shifted dramatically in recent years is the “fifth armed service,” the U.S. Coast Guard. Since its founding in August 1790, the Coast Guard has seen a continual evolution of its mission. That evolution picked up the pace after Sept. 11 and, in fact, the entire organization moved to the new Department of Homeland Defense. “We need to grow into the maritime homeland security mission without detracting from our other missions,” says Rear Adm. Kevin Eldridge, assistant Coast Guard commandant for governmental and public affairs. “The challenge is mission balance.”

For an overview of the Coast Guard’s changing role, check out our story “Meeting its Mission—and More” on page 28. 

August can be a slow period for some, but not for those on the front lines of national defense. Join us this month in saluting the men and women—and their families—serving in the National Guard and Reserve. And take this opportunity to congratulate the Coast Guard on its 213th birthday!