USNG vs. Army Reserve?

[dustinm]

This question has been bugging me for a while. Why is it that Canada has no National Guard? And if the answer is "The Reserves take the place of the National Guard", why does the US have both?  ???

 

[gcclarke]

Because we, like most commonwealth nations, patterned our armed forces on the British model, who do not have a national guard, whereas our neighbors decided not to do so, what with that whole revolution thing and all?

 

[George Wallace]

This question has been bugging me for a while. Why is it that Canada has no National Guard? And if the answer is "The Reserves take the place of the National Guard", why does the US have both?  ???

Different Laws.

The National Guard fall under the direction of the State Governor.  The Army Reserve are under Federal control.

Canada does not permit private armies, nor allow Provinces to raise and control their own militias.  Canada's military, Regular and Reserve, are under control of the Federal Government.

 

[dapaterson]

On the other hand, who wouldn't like to see what Danny Williams or some of the more colourful premiers in BC would do with their own private army?

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

This question has been bugging me for a while. Why is it that Canada has no National Guard? And if the answer is "The Reserves take the place of the National Guard", why does the US have both?  ???

More units for even less resources....how would that be a benefit?

 

[dustinm]

Different Laws.

The National Guard fall under the direction of the State Governor.  The Army Reserve are under Federal control.

Canada does not permit private armies, nor allow Provinces to raise and control their own militias.  Canada's military, Regular and Reserve, are under control of the Federal Government.

Makes sense

More units for even less resources....how would that be a benefit?

I wasn't suggesting we didn't have them and should, just observing that we didn't and not being sure why.

 

[Bass ackwards]

On the other hand, who wouldn't like to see what Danny Williams or some of the more colourful premiers in BC would do with their own private army?

Stephen Harper!

 

[Dennis Ruhl]

The state National Guard decended from the colonial state militias.  In the War of 1812 many New York State militia units refused to cross the Niagara River as they reasoned that they were formed for defence not attacking foreign countries.  While the National Guard was called up in WWI and WWII it was not for Vietnam, other than a few small units.  The current use of the Guard in Iraq is unprecedented and recruiting efforts often have to be accompanied by large cash bounties and education promises.  Joining the state guard is a guarantee of a trip to Iraq.  Why are state armies fighting foreign wars?  Because Uncle Sam foots the bill.

On the other hand Canada has never called up its militia for foreign wars.  Units have been mobilized but individual soldiers were required to volunteer and they didn't disappoint.  The militia was called out for defence of Canada and aid to the civil power with some regularity in the 1800s but nothing has happened in recent history.