This article needs to be updated.(February 2018) |
Minnesota National Guard | |
---|---|
Active | 1850 - Present |
Country | United States of America |
Allegiance | State of Minnesota |
Type | Joint |
Size | 13,124[1] |
Part of | U.S. National Guard |
Garrison/HQ | St Paul, Minnesota |
Nickname(s) | NorthStar Guard |
Motto(s) | Always Ready |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-Chief [4] | Governor Tim Walz |
The Adjutant General[5] | Maj. Gen. Shawn P. Manke[2] |
The Command Senior Enlisted Advisor[6] | Command Chief Lisa Erikson [3] |
The Minnesota National Guard is a state-based military force of more than 13,000 soldiers and airmen, serving in 61 communities across the state. Operated in the U.S. state of Minnesota, it is a reserve component of the National Guard.[7]
The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. 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 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 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 may call individuals or units of the Minnesota 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."