Efficacy of Regional Headquarters for National Guard Civil Support and Homeland Defense Missions

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a regional headquarters concept would improve the National Guard's ability to accomplish Homeland Defense and Civil Support with greater efficiency and effectiveness. In order to make that determination, this paper begins by reviewing the works of authors advocating regional headquarters in the National Guard. It then notes experiences of other organizations with a regional structure. Once the theoretical benefit of a regional structure has been established, the researcher attempts to identify areas where greater efficiency or effectiveness could be achieved if the National Guard was organized with a regional structure. Finally, interviews with state- level senior leaders of the National Guard add their perspectives for consideration. If this paper shows the regional headquarters concept could add efficacy for National Guard Civil Support and Homeland Defense missions, it could be an impetus for a major organizational and structural change in the National Guard. This study has the potential to demonstrate potential benefits to participating individual states, as well as refining the focus for future planning, training, and exercises.