National Guard - Definition and Overview

The term "National Guard", when used by itself, can refer to:

• The United States National Guard includes both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
• A 1930s political movement in Ireland, formally named the Army Comrades Association: see Blueshirts
• Many Latin American countries name their paramilitary forces the "National Guard"
• There was a French National Guard during the French Revolution.
• The Saudi Arabian National Guard - is directly loyal to and responsible to the Saudi Royal Family.
• The Kuwaiti National Guard- same duties as the Saudi Arabian National Guard
• Iraqi National Guard
• National Guard can also mean a paramilitary force with both military and law enforcement responsibilities.
• A National Guard existed in Nicaragua during the rule of the Somoza family, serving as the country's defensive military force.