I think the national guard is fascinating but don't know much about it.
I am a member of the national guard!  I hold a full time civilian job and am a part time National Guard member!  I love it!
That is a lot of work! But it sounds like you find it worthwhile. 
Oh I do!  Interestingly, the National Guard is under the control of both the state and the federal government.
Huh. I did not know that. What else can you tell me?
Well, because I am a National Guard member, I am also a member of the United States militia!
Right! National Guard is like a reserve member right?
Exactly!  And the reserve is made up of National Guard members from each of the states as well as the territories!
I didn't know the territories also had National Guard members. Anything else I should know?
Yes!  You should know that it is a joint activity of the U.S. DOD and and several reserve components of various military organizations!