Texas Military Department

Texas Military Department
Agency overview
Formed5 August 1836; 188 years ago (1836) (as War Department)
Preceding agencies
  • War Department
    (1836-1846)
  • Department of Texas
    (1850-1913)
  • Adjutant General Department
    (1913-2015)
JurisdictionTexas government
HeadquartersBuilding Eight
Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas
30°18′42.173″N 97°45′38.338″W
MottoTexans Serving Texas
Employees4,300 (federal)
550 (state)
23,200 (service members)
Annual budget$101.1 million, FY2017
(58% federal)
(0.006% of TX GDP)[1]
Agency executive
Parent departmentGovernor of Texas
Child agencies
Websitetmd.texas.gov

The Texas Military Department (TMD) is an executive branch agency of the Texas government.[2] Along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, it is charged with providing the security of Texas, which has the second largest population, border, and economy in the United States.[3][4] It also provides administration of the Texas Military Forces (TXMF), the principal instrument through which it executes security policy. TXMF currently include the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard.[5] It formerly included the Texas Rangers, Texas Army, Texas Navy, and Texas Marines.

The Texas Military Department also maintains a variety of civic engagement initiatives to support public relations, accountability, transparency, and safety awareness. It hosts an annual Open House and Toy Drive. It also hosts the Texas ChalleNGe Academy, Texas STARBASE, Project 1836, and Texas Military Forces Museum. It also publishes The Dispatch magazine, TMDTV, smartphone applications, and social media channels.[6]

The Texas Military Department is commanded by the Adjutant General of Texas, who is appointed by and reports to the Governor of Texas.[7] Headquartered at Building Eight in Camp Mabry, TMD's stated mission is to "provide the Governor and President with ready forces in support of state and federal authorities at home and abroad."[8] It is empowered by Article 4, Section 7 of the Texas Constitution to "execute the laws of the State, to suppress insurrections, and to repel invasions."[9]

  1. ^ "Regional Data on GDP and Personal Income". US Bureau of Economic Analysis. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  2. ^ "TITLE 4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH, SUBTITLE C. STATE MILITARY FORCES AND VETERANS, CHAPTER 437. TEXAS MILITARY". Texas Government Code. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  3. ^ John, Steve (April 22, 2019). "11 mind-blowing facts about Texas' economy". MARKETS INSIDER.
  4. ^ "2017-2018 Texas Military Preparedness Commission Biennial Report" (PDF). Office of the Texas Governor.
  5. ^ "About Us". Texas Military Department.
  6. ^ "Resources". Texas Military Department.
  7. ^ "Office of the Adjutant General". Texas Military Department.
  8. ^ "Texas Military Department Strategy" (PDF). Texas Military Department. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  9. ^ "ARTICLE 4. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. Sec. 7. GOVERNOR AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF MILITARY FORCES". THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. Retrieved August 31, 2019.