State adjutant general
Each state in the United States has a senior military officer, as the state adjutant general, who is the de facto commander of a state's military forces, including the National Guard residing within the state, the state's naval militia, and any state defense forces. This officer is known as TAG (The Adjutant General), and is subordinated to the chief executive (generally the state's governor). They do not have authority over police forces, only military forces.
Source of appointment
In 49 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands, the adjutant general is appointed by the governor. The exceptions are Vermont, where the adjutant general is appointed by a vote of the Vermont General Assembly, and the District of Columbia, where a commanding general is appointed by the President of the United States of America.[1] Until 2016, South Carolina chose its adjutant general in statewide general elections, but after passage of a popular referendum, the holder of this position is now appointed by the governor.[2]
Responsibilities
Each adjutant general shares a common responsibility for the state's National Guard plus a unique set of other responsibilities defined by the state's constitution, state statutes, and other state-level directives. In addition to their state responsibilities, each TAG is responsible to the federal government for the use and care of federal assets under the state's control. The National Guard Bureau (NGB) in the Department of Defense provides a centralized administrative, funding, and procurement process to support the states' military departments. The Chief of the National Guard Bureau also provides input as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on national military activities as they relate to the National Guard.
The 54 adjutants general collectively form the Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS) which strives to enhance both state and national military security.[3] A professional military guard organization, the National Guard Association of the United States serves to lobby both Congress and the Executive branch about common needs of the Guard as a whole and also provide support to members of the National Guard.[4]
National Guard
Each adjutant general commands their state's Army and Air National Guard units which are not on federal active duty. When a National Guard unit is federalized it is moved from state command to the Department of Defense and placed under an Army or Air Force command.
State defense forces
Twenty-three adjutants general have responsibility for military land forces that comprise state level militias under the command of the various governors and generally have state support missions. Eight of which maintain a naval militia division. Two adjutants general, Puerto Rico and Texas, are also responsible for an air support component.
Emergency management agencies
Some adjutant generals are responsible for oversight of the state's emergency management organization. These groups are non-military organizations but have a close working relationship with the state's National Guard and any state defense forces. They are the state level agency that works directly with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters.
Homeland security
Some states have assigned their adjutant general the responsibility for overseeing homeland security. In other states, this responsibility may be assigned to the state's law enforcement agency instead.
Veteran’s affairs
Some states place their veteran's affairs organization in the state's military department under the oversight of the state adjutant general. Other states have an independent veteran's affairs department.
List of adjutants general
Each adjutant general is the senior officer in the state's military structure. Many hold federal rank as active duty general officers, but others may for a variety of reasons, including mandatory federal military retirement age, only hold general officer rank from their state.
See also
References
- ^ "Adjutants General", The Adjutants General Association Online Resources, The National Guard Association of the United States, archived from the original on April 27, 2012, retrieved April 6, 2012
- ^ "South Carolina Appointment of Adjutant General, Amendment 2 (2014)".
- ^ "Adjutants General Association of the United States | (AGAUS) National Guard of the United States". Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^ "Who We Are and What We Do". Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^ a b c "STATE ADJUTANTS GENERAL ROSTER" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012 – via Wayback Machine.
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- ^ Olmstead, Candis (January 4, 2019). "Alaska National Guard Change of Command Recognizes New Adjutant General". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Camp H. M. Smith, HI.
- ^ Warren, Jamie (June 6, 2021). "Arizona National Guard leader Kerry Muehlenbeck promoted to major general, first woman to fill role". ABC15.com. Phoenix, AZ: KNXV-TV.
- ^ "Major General Kerry L. Muehlenbeck". Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Sanders Appoints Colonel Chad Bridges as Secretary of the Military and the 55th Adjutant General". Governor of Arkansas. Little Rock, Arkansas. August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
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- ^ "Brigadier General Michael R. Berry". Retrieved March 30, 2019.
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- ^ a b "Brigadier General Leland L. Blanchard II". District of Columbia National Guard. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
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- ^ a b c Leon Guerrero, Lou (March 1, 2023). "Governor Taps Colonel Mike Cruz as New Adjutant General". Office of the Governor. Hagåtña, Guam. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ General Officer Management (2023). "Biography, Michael W. Cruz". National Guard.mil. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau Senior Leader Management Office. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
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- ^ a b "Idaho National Guard to Change Command". Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Robert (June 25, 2024). "Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan becomes Idaho's 26th adjutant general". DVIDS. Boise, Idaho: Idaho Army National Guard. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Pritzker Officiates Illinois National Guard Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony". Office of the Governor, State of Illinois. Chatham, Illinois: Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker. May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
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- ^ "PN1428 — Brig. Gen. Roger D. Lyles — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. R. Dale Lyles". Indiana National Guard. Indianapolis, IN. September 24, 2019.
- ^ "PN650 — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. June 15, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ Block, Francesca (February 3, 2023). "Gov. Kim Reynolds taps Brig. Gen. Stephen Osborn as new National Guard adjutant general". Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ "Governor Kelly announces swearing in of new Adjutant General". April 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "VENERDI TO RECEIVE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S POST APRIL 1". KRSL-FM. March 21, 2023.
- ^ "Biography, Major General (KY) Haldane B. Lamberton". National Guard Bureau Senior Leader Management Office. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. February 25, 2022.
- ^ "The Adjutant General's Message to the Troops". April 3, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "Biography, Brigadier General Thomas C. Friloux". The Adjutant General of Louisiana. New Orleans, LA: Louisiana National Guard. 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Maine Adjutant General Transfer of Authority [Image 2 of 9]". DVIDS. February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Biography, Major General Janeen L. Birckhead". Senior Leader Management Office: General Officer Biographies. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. June 13, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "Gov. Moore swears in Maryland adjutant general and first secretary of civic innovation department". CBS News. April 27, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "Biography, Major General Gary W. Keefe". Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "Major General Paul D. Rogers". Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ "Biography, Major General (MN) Shawn P. Manke". National Guard Bureau Senior Leader Management Office. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. October 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c "PN2717 — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ "The Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard". Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ "Nominations Confirmed (Non-Civilian): 2023-12-05 PN1114 Army". Senate.gov. Washington, DC: United States Senate. December 5, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ "Governor Reeves Promotes Brigadier General Bobby M. Ginn, Jr. to Major General". Vicksburg News. Vicksburg, MS. July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Governor Reeves Appoints Major General Bobby M. Ginn, Jr. as Adjutant General of Mississippi". Governor of Mississippi. July 31, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "Biography, Major General (MO) Levon E. Cumpton".
- ^ a b "PN2718 — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ a b "Biography, Major General John P. Hronek II". National Guard.mil. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- ^ Senior Leader Management Office, General Officer Management (December 5, 2023). "Biography, Major General Craig W. Strong". National Guard.mil. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Adjutant General Change of Command Ceremony [Image 17 of 22]". DVIDS. July 8, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ Martirosov, Dmitry (July 2, 2023). "Nebraska National Guard change of command ceremony set for Saturday". The Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "Waters succeeds Berry as Adjutant General, becomes 1st Soldier in more than 4 decades to lead Nevada National Guard". October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Biography Major General David J. Mikolaities". National Guard Bureau Senior Leader Management Office. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. November 23, 2021.
- ^ "Mikolaities takes over as NH's 26th adjutant general". Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- ^ a b "Governor Murphy Announces Departure of Major General Lisa J. Hou". Insider NJ. Verona, NJ. July 1, 2024.
- ^ New Mexico National Guard [@NMNationalGuard] (January 27, 2023). "New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham promoted Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar to his present rank during a packed ceremony Jan. 27th at the National Guard Regional Training Institute here" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Vigil, Joseph (December 10, 2021). "Nava Relinquishes Command of the NMNG". Office of Public Affairs, New Mexico National Guard. Santa Fe, NM.
"In the meantime, per state statutes, my good friend and trusty deputy adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, will assume the daily responsibilities so stay focused and stay ready because our nation and state need you," said Nava.
- ^ a b "Major General Raymond F Shields Jr". Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ a b "Major General Marvin T. Hunt". Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "Brig. Gen. Johnson Assumes Command as North Dakota Adjutant General". Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ohio Adjutant General". Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ "PN2719-1 — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Oklahoma National Guard (November 10, 2021). "Governor Stitt Names New Adjutant General for Oklahoma". News from the Oklahoma National Guard. Oklahoma City, OK.
- ^ Hughel, John (November 30, 2023). "Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold sworn in as Oregon Adjutant General". DVIDS. Salem, Oregon: Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Governor Kotek Names Colonel Gronewold as Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard". State of Oregon. October 18, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
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- ^ Senior Leader Management Office, General Officer Management (December 5, 2023). "Biography, Major General Miguel A. Mendez". National Guard.mil. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ Soto, Eliezer (September 21, 2023). "Puerto Rico National Guard Youth Program Develops Future Leaders". DVIDS. Ponce, Puerto Rico: 159th Wing. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
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- ^ a b "Major General Van McCarty". Retrieved February 17, 2019.
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- ^ a b "Gov. Noem Announces Next Adjutant General". Government of South Dakota. April 28, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
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- ^ a b "Major General Warner A. Ross II". Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "Biography, Major General Thomas M. Suelzer". National Guard Bureau Senior Leader Management Office. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. March 14, 2022.
- ^ Barragán, James (March 14, 2022). "Gov. Greg Abbott replaces Texas military leader who has overseen heavily criticized border mission". The Texas Tribune. Austin, TX.
- ^ a b Lewis, Scott (August 21, 2023). "Boyack appointed new commander of Utah National Guard as Turley retires amid scandal". ABC4.com. Salt Lake City, UT: KTVX-TV.
- ^ National Guard Bureau Senior Leader Management Office (September 11, 2020). "Biography, Major General (VT) Gregory C. Knight". NationalGuard.mil. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
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- ^ "Biography, Major General (VI) Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker". National Guard Bureau Senior Leader Management Office. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau.
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