Connecticut National Guard

Connecticut Military Department

State of Connecticut Coat of Arms
Agency overview
Formed	1939
Jurisdiction	Connecticut
Headquarters	Hartford, CT
Agency executive	Major General Thaddeus J. Martin, The Adjutant General

The Connecticut Military Department is a state agency of the government of Connecticut. Its primary components are the Connecticut Army National Guard, the Connecticut Air National Guard, and four companies of the state militia. The Military Department of the State of Connecticut traces its origins to May 11, 1637, when the "General Courts" (colonial assembly - legislature) established a military arm of the provincial government. In 1939, the State's Military Department. was established to consolidate the offices of Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, Armory Board, and Armory Board Inspector.

The Military Department of the State of Connecticut's principle public responsibility is to serve as the protector of American citizens of the State and their property in time of war, invasion, rebellion, riot or disaster. It serves as the main resource for the Governor in ensuring public safety in a variety of emergencies.

The Connecticut National Guard as the state militia also has a Federal Constitutional mission to support the President of the United States as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States and the Federal Government in times of War or National Emergencies.

The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the "militia" which is now the National Guard of the United States 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 when such is declared 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 of the United States or by resolution passed by the United States Congress.