Is it true the VCA can be called to active duty?

Yes, under current law the VCA may volunteer for federal military service, or be called or ordered to such service, and may also be ordered to State military service.

Under federal law, the VCA is part of the federal organized militia as well as the part of the state organized militia, and depending on the circumstances of its activation, may be part of either the military forces of the State of NY, the US Army National Guard or the US Army. By law, the VCA must conform to “the organization, training and discipline of the National Guard in time of war.”

Federal duty, if under call, is unlikely to be OCONUS (outside the continental United States); however, a state call can be to duty outside the state or OCONUS. The VCA can also volunteer for federal or state duty, in which case there would be no geographic limit on where we could be deployed. 

We remain available for call up as the state or nation requires.

Categories: History, Membership, Missions and Drills