Pub. L. 82-476, pt. II, ch. 1, sec. 201

Sec. 201. (a) The Congress hereby declares that the reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States are maintained for the purpose of providing trained units and qualified individuals to be available for active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States in time of war or national emergency, and at such other times as the national security may require, to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces of the United States in excess of those of the Regular components thereof, during and after the period needed for procurement and training of additional trained units and qualified individuals to achieve the planned mobilization. (b) The Congress further declares, in accordance with our traditional military policy as expressed in the National Defense Act of 1916, as amended, that it is essential that the strength and organization of the National Guard, and the Air National Guard, as an integral part of the first line defenses of this Nation, be at all times maintained and assured. It is the intent of the Congress that whenever Congress shall determine that units and organizations are needed for the national security in excess of those of the Regular components of the ground forces and the air forces, the National Guard of the United States, and the Air National Guard of the United States, 66 Stat. 483 or such part thereof as may be necessary, together with such units of the other reserve components as are necessary for a balanced force, shall be ordered into the active military service of the United States and continued therein so long as such necessity exists.