National Guard

This term refers specifically to the state-based military reserve system of the United States. It is treated as a proper noun and is almost always capitalized. Because it represents a singular organized entity or institution, it is typically used in the singular form when referring to the organization as a whole.

In a socio-political context, the term carries a dual connotation of community support and state authority. It is frequently associated with domestic emergency response, such as natural disasters, but also with the more controversial role of maintaining civil order during periods of unrest.