National Guard leaders seek oversight on governor demands

National Guard leaders are raising concerns about governors increasingly relying on the Guard for non-combat missions like disaster relief and law enforcement support. A general has proposed creating a new oversight position, described as a 'traffic cop,' to evaluate incoming requests and determine which ones are appropriate for the Guard versus civilian agencies. The proposal reflects growing frustration that the force is being stretched beyond its intended capacity.

If adopted, such a system could reduce how often Guard members are called up for state-level tasks, potentially providing troops with more predictable schedules and allowing them to focus on training and traditional military readiness. The change would also give Guard members and their civilian employers better visibility into when deployments might occur.