Who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of a National Guard Airman or Soldier during peacetime?

In peacetime, the Commander-in-Chief of a National Guard Airman or Soldier is the governor of their respective state. This concept is rooted in the structure of the National Guard, which operates under both state and federal authority. During peacetime, the National Guard is primarily controlled by state governments, with the governor having the authority to mobilize and command the forces as needed for state missions, including disaster response, emergency management, and law enforcement assistance within the state.

While the President of the United States serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the entire U.S. military, including federal forces, this authority extends specifically to the National Guard when it is called into federal service during times of war or national emergencies. The Secretary of Defense oversees the military at the federal level and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau works to integrate the National Guard into the overall defense strategy but does not have direct command over the forces in peacetime.

Thus, understanding the role of the governor is crucial for recognizing how the National Guard is uniquely structured to serve both local and federal needs, depending on the context of their activation.