Army National Guard (ARNG) Special Forces (SF) Units: The Standard and the Future

Abstract

Abstract : Currently, Army National Guard Special Forces (ARNG SF) Soldiers and Units are essential components of the United States National Security Strategy (NSS). Yet these part-time SF Soldiers are not trained to the same standard as their Active SF counterparts. Army National Guard SF units are not sufficiently trained or resourced. Their capabilities and readiness have been further degraded by their recent high operational tempo. This paper addresses shortfalls in ARNG SF training and standards and provides recommendations to require all SF Soldiers to meet the same Army standards to support the NSS.