State adjutant general

Each state in the United States has a senior military officer, as the state adjutant general, who is de facto commander of a state's military forces, including the National Guard, the naval militia, and any state defense forces. This officer is known as TAG (The Adjutant General), and is subordinated to the chief executive.

In 48 states (49 beginning in 2016),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 the legislature; South Carolina, where the Adjutant General is elected by the populace, however, beginning in 2016, the South Carolina Adjutant General will be appointed by the Governor; and the District of Columbia, where a commanding general is appointed by the President of the United States of America.

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 commander of the NGB 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. 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.

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