Overview
- An Oct. 8 National Guard Bureau memo signed by Maj. Gen. Ronald Burkett directs all states, D.C., and territories to train designated quick reaction forces, with most states assigning about 500 troops for roughly 23,500 personnel nationwide.
- The units are to receive civil‑disturbance training including de‑escalation and instruction on batons, body shields, Tasers, pepper spray, radio communications, and riot‑control formations.
- The Pentagon will deploy trainers to each location, provide 100 sets of crowd‑control gear per state, require monthly readiness reporting, and target operational status by Jan. 1, 2026.
- A separate Sept. 24 directive creates a specialized military police battalion in the D.C. National Guard, with a 50‑person full‑time element to be trained within 90 days and full strength planned by 2027.
- Officials and outlets say it is unclear how these units differ from existing Guard reaction forces as court fights over earlier domestic deployments continue, with limited Pentagon comment and the Guard citing implementation of the Aug. 25 executive order.