WHAT ROLE DOES THE NATIONAL GUARD PLAY IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA?

By Jack Etzel

Most of us understand the branches of our military, such as the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. But where does the National Guard fit in? It happens to be the oldest component of the Armed Forces and is celebrating its 372nd birthday this coming December. The Guard’s history goes back to the earliest English colonies when the colonists organized able-bodied male citizens into militias. In 1903, Congress passed the Militia Act, which changed the name to the National Guard.

National Guard Capt. Robert Palumbo grew up in O’Hara Township. While at Duquesne University, he received a scholarship in the R.O.T.C. program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems. Palumbo has served in Bosnia–Herzegovina and Mosul, Iraq and is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq again in late 2008. In addition to his experience in a multitude of missions both here and abroad, Palumbo currently works full-time as the chief technology officer with the Allegent Community Federal Credit Union in Pittsburgh.

North Hills Monthly Magazine: Tell me about the role the National Guard plays in Pennsylvania.
Palumbo: The Guard fits in between the Army and a civilian police force. We work for the governor, which is our primary mission. We serve in time of crises in Pennsylvania, whether they are the result of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes or any other types of disasters. In addition, since the first and second World Wars, we’ve also been deployed in federal service.

NHMM: You’ve been in the National Guard for 16 years as of last month. What are some of the events that you recall regarding the Guard serving this part of the state?

Palumbo: We served, for example, in snow emergencies during 1993 that brought blizzards and two feet of snow to the area, virtually crippling the city. In that case, we were called on to work out of the Emergency Operations Center for Allegheny County. After the 9/11 attack, the National Guard was called on to perform site security for the five nuclear power plants in the state, teaming up with the Pennsylvania State Police.

NHMM: Eventually, you and your fellow Guardsmen found yourselves in the Middle East.

Palumbo: Quite a few Guardsmen from western Pennsylvania have gone there. From our own battalion we sent three companies, and from Washington, Pennsylvania we sent even more, practically the whole brigade. That adds up to between 4,000 and 5,000 soldiers.

NHMM: What made you join the National Guard in the first place?

Palumbo: My family has been military-related for a long time. My grandfather served in World War II, an uncle served in the Army, and I found myself wanting to be in the Army, too. In college I was in the R.O.T.C. program, so upon graduation I was commissioned as a second lieutenant. But at that time, the Army was in a state of transition. In the early 90s, they were downsizing and didn’t need a lot more officers. When I looked at what else I could do, a National Guard liaison agent at Duquesne University referred me to the National Guard, and that’s how I ended up there.

NHMM: At the time, you couldn’t have been thinking that someday, you could end up in a war in the Middle East or elsewhere.

Palumbo: That didn’t come to mind, although the first Gulf War began in 1991, just about the time I was graduating. But in 1995 and ’96, the National Guard was called on to go into Bosnia, and those very first units that went into Bosnia came from western Pennsylvania. I was among the volunteers to go in the mid-‘90s, and I was selected again in 2001 to be mobilized with the Headquarters 28th Infantry Division deployed in support of a peace-keeping mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

NHMM: And you also served in Iraq?

Palumbo: We were called on to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq. I was a company commander when we were activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom Two. Pennsylvania has put a lot more, let me emphasize, a lot more soldiers in Iraq as Guardsmen.

NHMM: With all of this going on—whether dealing with local disasters or becoming involved in military actions in other countries—you still maintain a full-time job at the credit union. Is there really only one of you?

Palumbo: It’s tough. In my civilian career as chief technology officer at the credit union, I have to continue my education to keep up with the latest technology. In addition, I have to maintain that same level of dedicated service to the National Guard, which means more education. I have to attend all of the military schooling that’s required. So when I say it’s tough, it’s because I really do have dual careers going at the same time.

NHMM: Would you do it all over again?

Palumbo: I know that some people might not understand this, but I regret nothing I’ve done. In fact, I actually enjoy what I do. Whether it’s helping after disasters here at home or serving anywhere in the world, I wouldn’t change a thing.