National Guard units are community based organizations and have strong relationships between themselves and their civilian counterparts. These units are often times located some distance from large military installations creating training challenges for commanders in the field. The military units have highly specialized capabilities that are often present or needed in their local communities. Capitalizing on partnerships in the community will greatly enhance training opportunities and mission capability for National Guard units while simultaneously providing support to the communities and further strengthening relationships between the military and civilian sectors. Additionally, the partnerships increase visibility of the military organizations and are a valuable enhancement to recruiting programs.

Current guidance is focused towards military members in Title 10 status with the approval process funneled through the Pentagon. Publications containing this guidance include DoDI 1100.20, DoDI 1322.18, DoDI 1322.28, DoDD 5124.02, AFI 36-2250, and 32 U.S.C. 508.

Although there is an established "Innovative Readiness Training" (IRT) program managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, it is tailored towards larger projects involving multiple military organizations, and is at least two years in the planning process. Local training opportunities are generally shorter in nature and mesh well with Unit Training Assemblies and Annual Training at home station. Local training can be tailored to the specific needs of the military unit and the support needed in the community. The IRT program may provide training, but it is general in nature, requires an inhibitively long planning process, and does not mesh well with monthly training programs nor is it responsive to opportunities within the local community.

A codified process granting approval authority at the state level streamlines the planning process, capitalizes on local training opportunities, is logistically efficient, and further strengthens partnerships within the local communities.