ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY

MISSION

The Washington Military Department’s mission is to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, environment and the economy of Washington state by providing trained and ready forces for state and federal missions. The department also provides structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

The state’s adjutant general is appointed by the governor and serves as the director of the Washington Military Department, commander of the Washington National Guard and homeland security advisor to the governor.

WASHINGTON NATIONAL GUARD

The adjutant general administers the joint federal-state program that is the Washington National Guard, which is headquartered at Camp Murray, Washington. More than 8,000 citizen-soldiers and airmen currently serve the state of Washington and the United States of America. Military equipment for the Washington National Guard is furnished by the U.S. Department of Defense through the National Guard Bureau. Federal control is exercised over maintenance jobs and mobilization of the Washington National Guard. Federal personnel are employed in both administrative and maintenance jobs in armories and maintenance shops.

The Washington Army National Guard is made up of the 56th Information Operations Group, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 96th Troop Command, 96th Aviation Troop Command and 205th Training Regiment. The Washington Air National Guard is made up of the 141st Air Refueling Wing, 194th Wing and the Western Air Defense Sector.

WASHINGTON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The Washington Emergency Management Division provides mitigation advocacy, planning requirements and guidance, training and exercises, response coordination and administration of recovery programs for the civil sector of the state, regardless of the type of hazards. The Washington Emergency Management Division’s organizational structure mirrors the functions that take place in the life cycle of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

WASHINGTON YOUTH ACADEMY

The Washington Youth Academy (WYA) operates as part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Established under authority of both federal and state law, the WYA is a state-run residential and post-residential intervention for youth who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out. The goal of the program is to give youth a second chance to return to high school and graduate or become responsible and productive citizens by helping them improve their life skills, education levels and employment potential.

WASHINGTON STATE GUARD

The Washington State Guard is an all-volunteer unit organized under the Military Department of the state of Washington. Its members come from all walks of life. They normally serve without remuneration and meet monthly, or more often as needed, within organized units stationed at strategic locations throughout the state.