National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses

by Mary Corbett

“The first time I attended a National Guard family event in 1999, I felt like I had been abducted by aliens!” recalls Mary Corbett, author of National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses . “I didn’t understand anything! I had never been in an armory before. I didn’t know the difference between an officer and an enlisted soldier. I didn’t even know how to address the commander or his wife!”

Corbett decided to “wing it,” rationalizing that since her husband was “just” a Guardsman she wasn’t a “real” military wife. After all, military spouses lived on bases, operated within a strict structure of rank, and dealt with long deployments. Thank goodness she didn’t have to worry about those things! Of course, she could have never guessed, and neither could anyone else, that in less than two years, four hijacked airliners would forever alter the purpose and public profile of National Guard soldiers and those who love them forever. On September 11th, 2001, Corbett became a military wife. But, as she realized later, she had always been one.

Written in a lively and informal style, National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses demystifies the Guard’s unique hybrid civilian-military lifestyle. It is a must-read book for every National Guard family member. Corbett’s book covers a broad range of topics--from the history of the National Guard and understanding rank to Guard social life and Family Programs. Corbett also details the benefits and assistance resources available to Guard families and guides readers through the process of setting up a Personal Assistance League (PAL) to provide support during both short and long-term deployments.

Ten years after National Guard 101 ’s original publication, National Guard spouses are still “holding down the fort.” In fact, in 2020, more National Guard troops were activated than any time since World War II due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, and civil unrest. Year after year, the National Guard evolves to meet different threat environments. What doesn’t change is the vital role that family members play in supporting soldiers.

216 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2011

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for spouses new to the National Guard life. Mary Corbett covers so many helpful details in this book, and it's been a huge help to me as a new military spouse. My husband read it, as well, and found that it was equally helpful for him as a new soldier. The only thing that I wish was better is that she'd include a section on officers. My husband is an officer in the National Guard and I was surprised by how many things are different for him than for regular enlisted Guardsmen/women. It would have been helpful to have a section for officer's wives. I still would not hesitate to recommend this book, however!

[Emma Sonck · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all have different experiences. I think that is important to note. Every Unit is different.

I would recommend this book to anyone in a new military relationship who does not know how the military works and is looking for a guide to learn more.

Personally, I found this outdated and was geared towards spouses to higher-ranking soldiers or active duty members (despite the title). Overall it was an easy read but felt like a long impersonal blog post.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a veteran at this NG wife stuff and I loved this book. I have told all of my Wife friend to read. Thank you so much for doing this for all of us!!!

This book is so helpful.
It is full of good info and great resources.
I am telling everyone about this great book!!

[Victoria Terrinoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide for National Guard and Reserve spouses. Some of the information is outdated but most of it is evergreen.

The book is a guide or manual for spouses and it reads as such. Kind of dry in places. But overall, it is worth the read.

[Emily Milller]

Extremely helpful as a new National Guard Spouse. Particularly for someone who has never had military life as part of their every day, this is a good place to start to feel comfortable asking questions and speaking the language.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information for the future!