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Expanded Mission Statement

Personnel. As military members, our people are disciplined, drug-free, technologically oriented, highly organized, highly motivated and physically fit. Add to that the fact that our soldiers and airmen possess at least one specialized military occupational skill; ranging from linguist, intelligence analyst, pilot, diver, security specialist, administrative specialist, public affairs, communications, personnel, legal, supply, engineering and many others.

And because we are America's community-based defense force, we also bring our civilian job skills as well. You'll find teachers, policemen, salesmen, lawyers, skilled laborers, and construction workers. Guard men and women come from all walks of life, so you're getting more than just a highly trained soldier or airman, you're getting a valuable member of the community as well.

Equipment. Our nation enjoys the best-equipped Army and Air Force in the world. Many types and pieces of equipment, useful to law enforcement and community based anti-drug organizations, are located in Guard armories and bases in hometown America. We have helicopters, secure communication networks, satellite teleconference and distant learning networks, night vision optics, devices that can test the air or surfaces for chemical compounds, and cargo x-ray machines. And with the continued technological revolution in the military, more sophisticated equipment is being researched and developed every year.

Supporting Current Law Enforcement Capabilities. The National Guard supports local, state and federal law enforcement agencies by helping fill the gap between what law enforcement has the ability to do on their own, and what they want to be able to do in order to effectively address the drug problem. Many smaller agencies can't afford to fly and maintain a helicopter, or hire extra officers to analyze data or run a counterdrug task force supply operation. And most aren't capable of rapidly adding manpower for short periods of time-a surge capacity that the National Guard can give by bringing on skilled people to fill specialized roles, and allow sworn law officers the freedom to concentrate on efforts that directly support community law enforcement activities.

Supporting Current Community Based Organization Capabilities. We work with local and national anti-drug organizations. Using skills in organizing and planning, Guard Drug Demand Reduction Coordinators help local community coalitions by hosting meetings, providing logistical support to events, and providing drug-free role models and mentors. We also sponsor national anti-drug satellite broadcasts, providing the means for thousands of local groups to interact and discuss challenges, share successes, and exchange lessons learned.

Responding To The Changing Drug Threat. Perhaps the greatest thing the National Guard Counterdrug program provides is the flexibility and agility to shift resources to where they are needed, either locally, statewide or even nationally. As drugs and drug trafficking changes, the needs of law enforcement and community organizations changes. When the need shifts, we're flexible enough to shift too. And because there is a National Guard Counterdrug program in every state and territory, the Guard is already in place wherever the need shifts.

Facilities. The National Guard is an integral part of our communities and makes available to law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations over three thousand facilities across the nation.  These facilities are used for training sessions, meetings, and other community-focused counterdrug activities.