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Who We Are and What We Do

LEGISLATION

NGAUS provides states and our members unified representation before Congress. The NGAUS legislative department is the lobbying branch of the association.  It seeks modern equipment, training, missions and personnel benefits for the Army and Air National Guard by lobbying Congress and the Executive Branch.

Lobbying efforts begin with an annual resolutions process that originates with the states, the state associations, and the adjutants general. Delegates to the annual NGAUS general conference debate and approve resolutions, which are prioritized by the NGAUS Board of Directors, the NGAUS task forces and the NGAUS legislative staff for the next congressional cycle.

The NGAUS legislative staff presents the association’s legislative priorities directly to members of Congress and their staff.  In addition, the NGAUS staff works with the National Guard Bureau (NGB), state associations, the Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS), the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), and industry representatives.  Also critical to this process are the Congressional Action Contact Officers (CACOs) in each state. They meet once a year in Washington for a legislative seminar and serve as the point person in each state for time-sensitive legislative issues. 

NGAUS legislative efforts have contributed consistently to the continued resourcing and readiness of the National Guard. Learn more about our Legislative Programs.

MEMBERSHIP

State and individual membership dues provide nearly $1.8 million annually to help support NGAUS efforts in Washington, D.C. 

Each of the 54 states and territories belong to the association.  State membership symbolizes the mandate for NGAUS to represent all of the National Guard: officers and enlisted alike.

NGAUS members have the option of individual annual or life memberships.  Most current Guard officers have joined.  In addition, thousands of retired Guard officers continue to be members.  100-percent states receive preferred seating as well as recognition at the annual NGAUS general conference. 

Increasing individual memberships is a top NGAUS priority. The association maintains a membership committee of volunteers nationwide that seeks new ways to recruit and retain members.

The NGAUS staff, in concert with the Membership Committee and state associations, has developed several membership marketing tools. These include a NGAUS “smart card”, a prepared membership presentation, ads for state conference programs and an “Early Bird” rebate program that rewards state associations for forwarding dues to NGAUS by March 31.  In addition, NGAUS staffers attend several state conferences to rally membership support and provide legislative updates.  Learn more about Membership.

COMMUNICATIONS

The association’s communications department tells the Guard story in general and the NGAUS story in particular. This is accomplished through the monthly NATIONAL GUARD magazine, the weekly Washington Report electronic newsletter, as well as the association’s Web site and news media.

Magazine circulation includes NGAUS members, federal lawmakers, senior Executive Branch officials, governors, National Guard units and other interested parties.  Commanders are encouraged to bring their magazine to their units as a NGAUS membership and message marketing tool.

The NGAUS communications department manages the NGAUS Awards Program. It recognizes individuals outside the Guard who have contributed to the organization, as well as outstanding National Guard men and women.  Individual awards include the Harry S. Truman Award, which is the association’s highest honor; the NGAUS Distinguished Service Award for contributions to the NGAUS by military or Defense Department civilians; the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Medal, the Charles Dick Medal of Merit for elected officials; the Patrick Henry Award for outstanding support by community members; and the Valley Forge Cross for heroism by Guard members.

Learn more about NGAUS publications and the awards program.

NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Established in 1975 as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, originally named as the Historical Society of the Militia and the National Guard, today’s National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF) continues to tell the story of the National Guard.  The mission of the NGEF is to educate the general public, government, military, and National Guard members about the long and proud heritage of the National Guard from its inception in 1636.  The crown jewel of the NGEF is the National Guard Memorial Museum, the only national museum showcasing the history of the National Guard.  The NGEF operates an impressive, nationally recognized research library rich with documents, archives, and books all related to National Guard history. 

Co-located in the National Guard Memorial Building in Washington, D.C., the NGEF relies solely on charitable contributions.  The museum and library location, a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall, places it at the epicenter of American history. Twenty million visitors come to Washington, D.C. every year to visit museums and historic sites and to take part in the city’s historic pageantry. The National Guard Memorial Museum and Library benefit from active visitation from citizens of every state and many foreign nations. 

The Legion de Lafayette of the National Guard Educational Foundation recognizes major donors. The first two levels are the Legion de Lafayette Companion for donations of $10,000 and the Order of Governor Patrick Henry for donations of more than $30,000. The names of these donors are prominently displayed in the museum. The highest level is the Order of President George Washington, which recognizes donors of $50,000 or more. Members of this Order may request dedication of a room within the museum.  All donations are tax deductible.  Visit the NGEF Web site for more information.

INDUSTRY RELATIONS

NGAUS’ partnerships with industry links defense contractors with their National Guard customers. This helps industry better serve the Guard while assisting NGAUS in defining and executing its legislative priorities.  It also aids the association’s grass roots efforts to obtain congressional adds for urgently needed equipment. 

Partnerships with industry are fostered through the NGAUS Corporate Associate Program (CAP).  There are four categories of corporate membership, with ascending levels of benefits and services:

• Platinum - $2500
• Gold - $1500
• Silver - $1000
• Bronze - $500

Those seeking to market products and services to the National Guard may attend the annual NGAUS Industry Day, which gathers buyers and sellers in the multi-billion National Guard marketplace. The event, traditionally held in early December, also attracts adjutants general and congressional staffers.

Contractors can also demonstrate their support of the National Guard within the Legion de Lafayette program.  All donations are tax deductible.  Learn more about our Industry Relations.

MEMBER BENEFITS

The NGAUS Member Benefits Program offers an array of discounts, and individual benefits to NGAUS members.  For the most current list of benefits available to members, visit Member Benefits.

NGAUS Insurance Trust (NGAUSIT) offers insurance products specially designed for the National Guard’s full-time federal technicians. These products include disability income protection and group term life insurance. Currently, more than 10,500 technicians are enrolled in the technician insurance program.

State Human Resource Offices make NGAUS Insurance program information available to newly hired technicians and provide open enrollment periods. To facilitate participation, Congress enacted legislation that allows technician insurance premiums to be deducted from a technician’s pay.

The Insurance Trust provides every dues paying NGAUS and EANGUS member under the age of 80 with a no-cost, $1,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy.

The Preferred Vision Care Plan saves members and their families up to 60% on most eyewear and discounts hearing exams and aids.

Income from insurance programs typically exceeds $1 million per year. NGAUSIT shares these proceeds with the NGAUS, EANGUS and state associations.

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS 

The annual NGAUS operating budget is about $5.9 million, which supports all NGAUS functions and activities except for building operations.  The National Guard Memorial (building operations) budget is approximately $6 million.

Sources of revenue include membership dues, conference revenues, Insurance Trust royalties, magazine advertising sales, affinity program revenues, investment earnings and building rental revenues. The success of these income sources and sound fiscal management have balanced the budget and placed the association in its best financial posture in a decade.