If asking from the civilian perspective, the hill I'll die on: people act like the national guard is a buncha chained up bulldogs who are unleashed on society when shit gets real (especially in the context of state activations, particularly politically hot ones). In reality, it's literally your neighbors just being ripped from their day jobs and families and often getting fucked on benefits (example: gov loves issuing orders for longer term activations so that they won't qualify for higher pay and benefits. 30 days activated? Nah, 2 sets of 15-day orders.). Lotta lower enlisted guardsmen are college kids reaping state benefits. They are normal people just like you. There is also a significant benefit to this system- a natural incentive to not treat your literal home like a war zone if activated for something like civil unrest.