America's National Guard was once considered a ragtag gaggle of pretend soldiers. Beginning in the 1980s the National Guard gradually transformed into today's highly flexible operational force that answers our nation's call for overseas combat deployments as well as domestic emergencies that run the gamut from lifesaving disaster responses to staffing Covid clinics. Brigadier General Paul "Greg" Smith describes his personal journey during these years, from a callow cadet to a committed commander leading military forces in response to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Smith gives a humorous, gritty, and sometimes touching glimpse into the inner workings of this unique military organization while offering portraits of the men and women who serve as the minutemen of our age. His reflections on service, duty, and the complexities of command will enlighten anyone who seeks to better understand the challenges of leadership. “offers a deeply personal and candid look at the evolution of the U.S. National Guard ... Smith paints a vivid picture of leadership in action, often balancing the responsibilities of a military career with civilian life. ...serves as both a memoir of military life and a guidebook for those looking to understand better the leadership challenges faced by the National Guard, as it transitioned from a weekend training force into an indispensable arm of the U.S. military, as well as countless other noncommissioned officers looking to learn how to navigate the rigors of leadership. This book is a must-read for leaders who value human connection and seek to lead with dynamism and vigor in today’s modern military age, where the focus has been firmly realigned to people first and mission always.”―The Army Historical Foundation “An excellent story of one soldier’s coming of age in the Massachusetts Guard who matures from a naive and inexperienced young lieutenant into an officer of skill and acumen who led from the front, took care of his soldiers and loved his state and country.... Readers of the book who are familiar with the Guard and Reserve will take a lot from Smith’s experiences, while those serving in the active component will gain a greater and broader perspective of what it means to serve as a part-time member of the Army.”― ARMY magazine “Brigadier Greg Smith has written more than just a standard military memoir; he tells an extremely important story of his own career that also covers some of the seminal moments of the last forty years in U.S. and Massachusetts history. The insider's account of response to the Boston Marathon bombings of 2013 provides a particularly valuable perspective on domestic civilian/military relationships and coordination when confronting internal threats to the United States, as do the other case studies that Greg highlights from his experience as a participant. I also found Greg's frank statements of his positions refreshing; in particular, he does not pull his punches in discussing debates about who should be eligible to serve in the U.S. military. His important and possibly controversial forward thinking is best expressed in his own words: ‘the Army has worked harder at stamping out discrimination than most American institutions can claim. In the end, though, the greatest weapon the Army has in its arsenal to combat bigotry is the fierce loyalty that soldiers feel for their teammates, their brothers and sisters. ... Although it was controversial, I was pleased to see 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' repealed. I believe the Army is healthier because of it and our society is stronger when all patriotic citizens, regardless of their sexuality, have the right to serve in its defense.’ This book will provide a new and vibrant insight into the identity and experience of the National Guard, and its important and evolving role in meeting the challenges of domestic security in the 21st century.”―Dr. Daniel Patrick Marston, Johns Hopkins University “Paul “Greg” Smith is a natural storyteller who writes with humor, drama and insight. Confessions of a Weekend Warrior may be his own fascinating story, but with this book Smith does something else as well―he tells the tale of a vitally important and often overlooked branch of the U.S. military. The book, fast-paced, riveting, and fun, does great honor to those men and women who stand ready answer the call, anytime, anywhere: the modern Minutemen and Minutewomen, the National Guard.”―James L. Nelson, author of Benedict Arnold’s Navy “In the post post-Vietnam restructuring of the service, the Chief of Staff, General Creighton Abrams, insured the U.S. Army would never deploy forces to a combat area without the National Guard again. Brigadier General Greg Smith provides an inside look at how National Guard soldiers have laid to rest the stereotype image of the ‘Weekend Warrior’ and replaced it with that of a capable professional who has become an equal member of the operational force.”―Major Glenn F. Williams, USA (Ret)., Ph.D.,