Territory surveillance, field work, providing escorts, transport protection, target identification and artillery spotting are other tasks that the Home Guard can be expected to carry out. Special rapid response platoons and companies have more specialised tasks, a longer training period and are equipped with their own vehicles to ensure mobility. All units must be able to support the civil community in times of crisis or disaster in peacetime.

Eight of the voluntary defence organisations have personnel in the Home Guard, providing special skills and expertise.

Home Guard units are trained both locally and regionally. Commanders, other officers and specialists also receive training at the National Home Guard Combat School in Vällinge, south of Stockholm.

To be accepted into the Home Guard you must be a Swedish citizen, aged at least 18 and with at least 85 days of basic military training.

The Home Guard consists of around 40,000 men and women. 9,000 of these come from voluntary organisations. The Home Guard also has more than 30 local military bands with around 1,500 voluntary musicians.