State Mission

March 09, 2011

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When Delaware National Guard units are not mobilized or under federal control, they report to the Governor of Delaware. Under state law, the National Guard provides protection of life, property and preserves peace, order and public safety. These missions are accomplished through emergency relief support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires; search and rescue operations; support to civil defense authorities; maintenance of vital public services and counterdrug operations. The NG also adds value to local communities through engineering projects provided under the Innovative Readiness Training program, and mentors at-risk youth through our Youth ChalleNGe program.

When serving under Title 32 Active Duty, Title 32 service is primarily state active duty. This includes the following forms of active service:

• State Active Duty (SAD). The Governor can activate National Guard personnel to "State Active Duty" in response to natural or man-made disasters or Homeland Defense missions. State Active Duty is based on State statute and policy as well as State funds, and the Soldiers and Airmen remain under the command and control of the Governor. A key aspect of this duty status is that the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA) does not apply.
• Title 32 Full-Time National Guard Duty. "Full-time National Guard duty" means training or other duty, other than inactive duty, performed by a member of the National Guard. Title 32 allows the Governor, with the approval of the President or the Secretary of Defense, to order a member to duty for operational HLD activities IAW the United States Code (USC):

The key to state active service is that Federal Law provides the Governor with the ability to place a Soldier/Airmen in a full-time duty status under the command and control of the State but directly funded with Federal dollars. Even though this duty status is authorized by Federal statute, this section is a statutory exception to the Posse Comitatus Act; the Governor may use the Guard in a law enforcement capacity; and the chain of command rests within the State.

In the categories listed above, as well as on active duty for training (ADT) or inactive duty for training (IDT) orders, NG units or individuals may be mobilized for non-combat purposes such as the State Partnership Program, humanitarian missions, counterdrug operations, and peacekeeping or peace enforcement missions.