Understanding the impact of the unique stressors of National Guard service: the National Guard Occupational Demands Model

The National Guard (NG) is a vital component of the U.S. Armed Forces, balancing federal and state responsibilities that serve and protect the Nation. Those who serve in the NG have a unique and understudied role within the military. As part-time service members, NG must balance the functional demands of their civilian roles and responsibilities with their military roles, and obligations. Despite their distinct service experience, NG research, intervention and policy often fail to recognize important factors that distinguish these service members from their active-duty military peers, as well as the unique demands and stressors of NG service. This paper presents a conceptual framework for understanding the occupational demands of NG service. The National Guard Occupational Demands Model (NGODM) describes the demands associated with NG service, the impact of those demands on NG organizational goals and service member wellbeing and variables that may impact the relationship between demands and outcomes.