RESPONDING
TO CALIFORNIA'S SECURITY AND SAFETY NEEDS
The California State Guard (CSG) is a volunteer force that protects California and its citizens from natural and man-made disasters, including wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and pandemics. It was formed to provide California with a trained and organized force in the event of a state emergency.
title 32 state defense force
CA State Military reserves Act
Our roots go back to 1846 before California was even a state. Over the years our name and structure have changed, but our mission has not – protecting California. Today’s California State Guard was organized and activated as the State Defense Force of California on January 2nd, 1941 as an amendment to the California Military & Veterans Code § 550.
Defense force for California
The CSG, under current legislation, is a state defense force and cannot be federalized. CSG units and personnel remain under the command of the Governor of California through the state’s Adjutant General, who commands both Title 32 State Guard and California National Guard units (when not federalized)
service members in 50+ ACTIVE UNITS
The CSG is manned by both prior and non-prior service members who volunteer their time and talents to serve their state. Each Service Member is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) per CMVC § 560. From coastal regions to inland areas, CSG operates in Flood Rescue, Emergency Shelters, Wildland Fire Support, Strategic Plans, Finance and Resource Management, and everything in between.
Our Missions
The CSG protects California and its citizens from natural and man-made disasters, including wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and pandemics. It was formed to provide California with a trained and organized force in the event of a state emergency. The CSG service members train and prepare for these emergencies.
In the last few years, the CSG has kept California and its citizens safe in many ways, including:
Wildfires
Assist with firefighting, support, relief, and shelter operations on several occasions, including Camp Fire (2018) Paradise Fire (2018) Mendocino Complex (2017)
Pandemics
During the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, California State Guard members performed humanitarian tasks, such as the assembly and distribution of food, medical equipment, and shelter tents.
Earthquakes
The California State Guard trains and prepares for natural disasters, including catastrophic earthquakes. California State Guard members play an integral role in response to earthquakes, safety, and emergency management operations.
Floods
In 2019, California State Guard service members assisted in operations during the Russian River High Water Incident. They also served in 2017, assisting with Oroville Dam evacuations when portions of the structure crumbled, threatening hundreds of thousands of residents nearby.
Severe Storms
The winter of 2016-2017 was one of the wettest California had seen in years. As a result, California residents throughout the state were at serious risk of flooding and mudslides. California State Guard members were called to prepare residents with evacuation, support, and emergency shelter.
Special Capabilities
Meet Our Senior Leadership
commanding General
BG (CA) Robert Spano
Commanding General
California State Guard
Command Chief Warrant Officer
CW5 (CA) Lori L. Sandes
Command Chief Warrant Officer
California State Guard
Command Sergeant Major
CSM (CA) Peterson
Command Sergeant Major
California State Guard
Army Commander
BG (CA) Michael L. Herman
Air Commander
Col (CA) Clyde Doheney
Maritime Commander
CAPT (CA) Robert Baird
A Rich History Of Service
A Tradition of Service
Californians have a long and proud tradition of military service that stretches back over two centuries when Alta California was a Spanish colony and later a Mexican province. Since joining the Union, California has provided more citizens to our common defense than any other state. From the lonely 18th-century colonial presidios of the El Real Ejército de California (Royal Spanish Army of California) to the mountains of Afghanistan and protecting our citizens from disasters, Californians have always been there and continue the tradition of selfless service.
California’s First Responders
The California State Guard today is part of California’s integrated disaster and emergency response system. We provide a trained military force with unique capabilities. We work seamlessly with our National Guard counterparts, federal agencies, state and local governments, and nongovernmental relief organizations to provide critical help when needed.
Our Missions
Today’s missions are just as diverse as California’s. Whether its screening people for coronavirus, evacuating residents from a wildfire, rescuing people from a flood, providing critical food and medical supplies to people in need, or providing emergency shelter for displaced residents, the men and women of the California State Guard stand true to their motto every single day: “Ready to Respond.”
CALIFORNIA
MILITARY DEPARTMENT
The California Military Department is an agency defined under the California Military and Veterans code § 50. It includes the Office of the Adjutant General, the California Army National Guard, the California Air National Guard, the California State Guard, and the California Cadet Corps.