Domestic considerations in force-shaping the Wyoming National Guard

Scope of study. Domestic readiness for the National Guard is based on forces available and readiness levels of the organization for disaster events, homeland security, and consequence management. The purpose of the study was to develop the methodology and associated metrics for planning, assessing, and improving the Wyoming National Guard's readiness for domestic employment. The project evaluated the current state of domestic readiness of the Wyoming National Guard based upon a survey of Guard customers: local and state civil authorities who would employ the National Guard during a domestic mission. Survey results were statistically compared to a similar survey of Wyoming National Guard members to assess differences in perspectives regarding readiness of the Wyoming National Guard for domestic employment. Survey results were qualitatively compared with a capabilities assessment of the current National Guard forces in order to evaluate Wyoming National Guard capabilities.; Findings and conclusions. The study found that the views of the Guard customers and Guard membership regarding event and mission likeliness and military support appropriateness were significantly different. The study found that the views of the Guard membership and Guard customers were significantly different regarding military preparedness for domestic missions. Demographical differences were found within the Guard membership based on rank, service branch, age, educational levels, years of service, and membership status. Demographical differences were found within the Guard customer group based on location, governmental branch, and organizational level. The study found that the Wyoming National Guard can satisfy domestic support requirements with varying degrees of military readiness for each support requirement. Force structure limitations of the Wyoming National Guard include trained personnel and unit equipment for some disaster relief and consequence management missions.