The Texas National Guard consists of the Joint Force Headquarters for Texas (JFHQ-TX), the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard and the Domestic Operations Command (DOMOPS). The Guard is administered by the adjutant general, an appointee of the governor of Texas. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. 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 Texas 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."
The state defense force, the Texas State Guard is a military entity authorized by both the State Code of Texas, U.S. Code and executive order. The Texas State Guard (TXSG) is the state's authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Texas National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized. The TXSG is partly composed of retired and former active, guard and reserve military personnel. Other members include those with no prior military service plus selected professional persons who volunteer their time and talents in further service to Texas.
The current adjutant general for the Texas National Guard is Major General John F. Nichols. He is the 51st Adjutant General for the State of Texas.
Read more about Texas National Guard: Domestic Operations Command, Texas State Guard
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