The Iowa Army National Guard is the Army component of the Iowa National Guard, a military reserve force with dual federal and state missions. It is empowered to function in a state status if needed to carry out limited actions during non-emergency situations all the way to full scale law enforcement of martial law when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control. The National Guard may be called into federal service in response to a call by the President or Congress.
The Iowa Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. The Iowa Army National Guard maintains 56 armories in 53 communities. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.
Iowa Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same enlisted ranks and officer ranks and insignia are used. National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The Iowa Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Iowa.