"Colonel, would you tell us more about the mission of the U.S. National Guard Bureau? How does your organization support the overall mission of its dual state and federal force?"

Colonel Dellinger:

"The National Guard Bureau is responsible for the administration of the National Guard of the United States, established by the U.S. Congress as a joint bureau of the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force. It holds a unique status as both a staff and operation agency. We work with the states and the adjutant generals within the states and territories to assist in maintaining and developing the National Guard for the future missions and roles. Today, tens of thousands of Guard members are serving in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan, as the National Guard continues its historic dual mission, providing to the states units trained and equipped to protect life and property, while providing to the nation units trained, equipped, and ready to defend the U.S. interests. Most people don’t realize the actual size of the National Guard. Currently, we are in 3,300 communities across the nation. On the Army side, there are approximately 350,000 soldiers in the Army National Guard, which is 32 percent of the total Army force and also 11 percent of the total Army budget. On the Air Force side, there are approximately 1,700 airmen in the Air Guard, which is 21 percent of the total Air Force personnel and six percent of the Air Force budget."

Read the entire interview.