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

America’s 365,000+ National Guardsmen and their family members live and work as civilians in nearly 3,000 communities across the United States and her territories, and fight abroad in the defence of our country. National Guard 101 is the only military lifestyle book written specifically for this unique audience.

Corbett’s unique book covers a broad range of topics, from practical knowledge about the history of the National Guard and understanding rank to softer subjects like social life in the Guard 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 to provide support during deployment.

Acronym-free and 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.

About the Author Mary Corbett is a professional writer and National Guard wife, and lives in Alpharetta, Georgia.