What is "State Active Duty" (SAD)?

State Active Duty (SAD) refers specifically to the situation when a state's National Guard units are activated by the governor of that state to respond to emergencies or disasters, without the involvement of federal authority. This typically occurs in response to situations like natural disasters, civil unrest, or other emergencies that require state-level support.

When the National Guard is in SAD status, they operate under the state's command structure and are funded by the state, as opposed to being under federal command, which would involve different legal frameworks and funding sources. This gives governors the flexibility to quickly mobilize their local resources to address immediate needs in their communities.

By contrast, the other provided options involve different concepts related to military activation and service. Federal declarations of emergency are separate from state decisions. Training programs for new recruits involve preparing individuals for service rather than utilizing existing personnel for state emergencies, and civilian employment for military personnel pertains to job opportunities outside their military role, rather than active duty status. Understanding these distinctions highlights the importance of SAD in the scope of state-level emergency response.