The National Guard’s State Partnership Program links U.S. states with foreign nations to promote and enhance bilateral relations. It supports homeland defense by nurturing dependable collaborative partners for coalition operations in an era of persistent conflict. Through this program, Massachusetts is proud to be partnered with the country of Paraguay.

The State Partnership Program reflects an evolving international affairs mission for the National Guard. It promotes regional stability and civil-military relationships in support of U.S. policy objectives. State partners actively participate in many and varied engagement activities, including bilateral familiarization and training events, exercises, fellowship-style internships, and civic leader visits. All activities are coordinated through the theater combatant commander and the U.S. ambassador's country teams, and other agencies as appropriate, to ensure that National Guard support meets both U.S. and country objectives.

 

The value of the SPP is its ability to focus the attention of a small part of the Department of Defense (DoD) with a single country or region in support of U.S. Government policies. This concentrated focus allows for the development of long-term personal relationships and a mechanism to catalyze support from outside the DoD which otherwise would not occur but nevertheless complements U.S. policy.

  

The State Partnership Program enables the National Guard to further define and fulfill its collective role as a good will ambassador around the world. Guard members apply both military and civilian skills to foster democracy, encourage economic development, and promote regional cooperation and stability. State and country partnerships create long-term, friendly relationships. The result is greater security for all Americans.