California National Guard
Encyclopedia
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state status. Those functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control. The National Guard may be called into federal service in response to a call by the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
or Congress.
When National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-In-Chief. The federal mission assigned to the National Guard is: "To provide properly trained and equipped units for prompt mobilization for war, National emergency or as otherwise needed."
The Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
may call individuals or units of the California National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which lend themselves to use of the National Guard. The state mission assigned to the National Guard is: "To provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as otherwise provided by state law."
California State Military Reserve
The California State Military Reserve (CSMR)California State Military Reserve
The California State Military Reserve is the state defense force of California. The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency when the National Guard is deployed...
is the state defense force
State Defense Forces
State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...
of California. The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency in the event the National Guard is deployed. Note that the CSMR is a military entity authorized by both the State Code of California and Executive Order. The CSMR is the state’s authorized militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
and assumes the state mission of the California National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized. The CSMR comprises retired active and reserve military personnel and selected professional persons who volunteer their time and talents in further service to their state. Its current mission is to assist the National Guard especially in concern to homeland security.
Adjutant General
Major General David S. Baldwin serves as the 46th Adjutant General since he was appointed by California governor Jerry BrownJerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
on 16 April 2011.
Adjutant Generals of California
- Theron R. PerleeTheron R. PerleeTheron R. Perlee or Per Lee, , lawyer, soldier, 49er, politician and judge in the territory and early state of California.Theron R. Perlee was born in Chenango County, New York. He studied law before he enlisted as a Lieutenant in Company C of the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers that came to...
, April to October 1850 - William H. Richardson, October 1850 - June 1852
- William Chauncey KibbeWilliam Chauncey KibbeWilliam Chauncey Kibbe , California pioneer, third Adjutant General of California that oversaw the California militia from its beginnings through most of the American Civil War....
, June 1852 to April 30, 1864 - George S. EvansGeorge S. EvansGeorge Spafford Evans , Texas Ranger, miner, businessman, County Clerk for Tuolumne County, Customs official and Senate Clerk for the State of California...
, May 1, 1864 - May 1, 1868 - James M. Allen, May 1, 1868 – Nov. 23, 1870
- Thomas N. Cazneau Nov. 23, 1870-1872
- Lucius H. Foote 1872-1876
Military academy
The California Army National Guard maintains the California Military AcademyCalifornia Military Academy
The California Military Academy is a military academy of the California Army National Guard located at Camp San Luis Obispo.-History:The school started as an idea of an "Officer Candidate School" in 1950. However, a need for an academy in California convinced Major General Curtis D. O’Sullivan to...
at Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo is the original home of the California Army National Guard. It served as an Infantry Division Camp and Cantonment Area for the United States Army during World War II.-History:...
for the use and training of members of California and other western state National Guard units, as well as for the use of the California State Military Reserve
California State Military Reserve
The California State Military Reserve is the state defense force of California. The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency when the National Guard is deployed...
.
See also
- California State Militia Units 1850-60California State Militia Units 1850-60The following are California State Militia units that were active in the state of California between 1851 and 1860, prior to the American Civil War.- Amador County :* Amador Rangers, Jackson, 1858 Utah War* Volcano Guard, Volcano, 1858 Utah War...
- California State Militia Units 1861-65California State Militia Units 1861-65The following are California State Militia units that were active between 1861 and 1865 during the American Civil War.-Alameda County:*Alvarado Guard, Company F, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Alvarado, 1863–1866...
- California Military DepartmentCalifornia Military DepartmentThe California Military Department is an agency defined under the California Military and Veterans code . The Military Department includes the office of the Adjutant General, the California National Guard, the California State Military Reserve, the California Cadet Corps, and the Naval...
External links
- Bibliography of California Army National Guard History compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History
- Office of The Adjutant General
- California National Guard
- California State Military Reserve
- California Military Museum