The official song of the National Guard Bureau, with music and lyrics by Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Myers.On April 26, 2016, General Frank J. Grass, Chief of National Guard Bureau, designated “Always Ready, Always There,” composed by Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Myers, 40th Army Band, Vermont Army National Guard, as the official organizational song of the National Guard Bureau.

Military music has long played an important role in fostering unit esprit and identity, but the National Guard Bureau has never had organizational music to satisfy this purpose. To rectify this situation, and in the best tradition of Citizen-Soldiers and –Airmen, all National Guard band personnel were invited to compose an original march to be considered for adoption by the Bureau. Several outstanding submissions were received, but Chief Myers’ rousing march stood out in its ability to represent both the Bureau’s century-plus history and its mission of supporting the National Guard units of the States, Territories, and District of Columbia.

With music evocative of traditional American military marches, the song subtly captures the modern National Guard’s role in our Nation’s defense. The three verses reflect the Guard’s enduring missions defending the nation abroad and at home, and working in partnership with both international friends and local communities, readily summed up by the song’s title: “Always Ready, Always There.”

“Always Ready, Always There”

Music and lyrics by Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Myers, 40th Army Band, Vermont Army National Guard.

We are the Guard,

Soldiers and Airmen all prepared.

We are the National Guard

we serve on land and in the air.

We go where duty calls

around the world and here at home.

Stand tall in the National Guard,

Always Ready, Always There!

We represent our nation's best,

men and women serving true.

In times of strife or nature's wrath,

the Guard will always see us through!

We rise across the U.S.A.

from sea to sea our land so fair.

We're proud of the National Guard,

Always Ready, Always There!

We serve the call around the world,

nation to nation we support.

As friends we work in partnership

to train or fight as duty calls.

While here at home, from state to state

community service we prepare,

We serve in the National Guard,

Always Ready, Always There!

Band and protocol guidance on the use of the NGB song is in progress. When it is published in the near future, the sheet music will be made available.

Song was played/recorded on 4 May 2016 at Fort Myer, Virginia by The United States Army Band.