Activation of the National Guard

Car claimed to define active deployment and active duty, but his definition was incorrect. Activation is the step that places service members on active duty, moving them from reserve status into full-time federal or state service. Deployment is not the same as active duty, as it refers specifically to being assigned to execute a mission or operation, which may or may not require relocation.

Flash and Idd21 argued whether the soldiers were mobilized or deployed. Flash claimed mobilization was part of duty, but this was incorrect. Mobilization is the broader process of assembling and preparing troops and resources for service, often for general roles or support functions. Deployment occurs only when troops are tasked with carrying out a specific operational mission.

Bfs also argued that the National Guard being placed on active duty was a qualifying deployment. However, this was incorrect. While they may have been mobilized and given supporting roles, they had not been directed to execute a specific operational mission, which is what constitutes deployment.

This was the core paradox. Polymarket's description required troops to be "deployed on active duty," a phrase that is internally inconsistent. Activation is what places Guard members on active duty, while deployment refers to assigning them to a specific mission. By combining the two, Polymarket created confusion over whether activation itself was enough or if deployment was required.

Deployed by Activation

Ondra123 claimed that the National Guard, already being in D.C., were deployed by activation.

Democritus took the same view, suggesting deployment only applied to out-of-state units, so activation in D.C. would qualify. This is incorrect. Deployment is not defined by geography or movement, but by assignment to a specific mission or operation. Activation places troops on active duty, but it does not by itself amount to deployment.

Bfs maintained that the National Guard being placed on active duty satisfied deployment without public-facing patrols, since troops in the city were already under orders.

Revisiting Polymarket's initial clarification, we see that it does not address active duty. That being said, Polymarket including the phrase "regardless of public-facing operations" could mislead participants into thinking mobilization or support roles alone count as deployment.

Summary

Several users argued that activation of the National Guard counted as deployment. Some claimed that mobilization or the presence of troops in D.C. qualified, while others said activation placed them on active duty and therefore satisfied deployment. A few distinguished between in-state and out-of-state units, suggesting only the latter would require deployment. The source of this confusion was Polymarket's wording, which conflated "deployment" with "active duty." In reality, deployment requires assignment to a specific operational mission, which never occurred.

Coming Up

With the main arguments in support of a qualifying deployment covered, let's take a moment to review the summary of supporting sources.