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What Is US Military's Role in Times of Civil Unrest?

Carla Babb

   WASHINGTON - More than 17,000 members of the U.S. National Guard are
   supporting state and local law enforcement, as they respond to civil
   unrest in 23 U.S. States.

   Those members, along with the approximately 45,000 National Guard
   members supporting the COVID-19 response and the hundreds of others
   helping with the U.S. southern border wall mission, wildfire and flood
   response, and cyber support, combine for a historic total of at least
   66,700 activated for domestic operations, as of Monday.

   What is the National Guard?

   The National Guard consists of civilians who serve the United States as
   soldiers or airmen on a part-time basis.

   Unlike Marines, sailors or regular soldiers and airmen, the National
   Guard is tasked with a dual mission to support state and federal
   operations. State governors can call them to service during local or
   state emergencies such as storms, earthquakes or civil unrest.

   "We are here to protect life and property, and preserve peace, order
   and public safety," GeneralJoseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard
   Bureau, said Monday.

   Minnesota, where African American George Floyd died in police custody
   last week, is among the states that have deployed the National Guard to
   help with civil unrest.

   The state's top soldier, Army MajorGeneralJon Jensen, said on Sunday
   that members have responded to fires, provided security for hospitals
   and ambulances, created traffic control points and secured critical
   infrastructure, such as the federal reserve of Minneapolis.

   He added that his soldiers were armed after receiving an FBI warning
   about "credible, lethal threat" against his forces.

   The U.S. president can also activate the National Guard for federal
   missions, such as'¯fighting the war against terrorism in the Middle
   East.

   The current number of National Guard activated for domestic operations
   far surpasses the number of members activated in 2005 after Hurricane
   Katrina, when more than 51,000 were activated to assist with recovery
   in several southern U.S. states.

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