The California National Guard is part of the National Guard of the United States, a dual federal-state military reserve force. The CA National Guard has three components: the CA Army National Guard, CA Air National Guard, and CA State Guard. With a total strength of over 24,000 troops, it is the largest National Guard in the United States. , California National Guardsmen have been deployed overseas more than 38,000 times since 2001, during which time twenty-nine Guardsmen have been killed in Iraq and two have died in Afghanistan. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. When under the control of its state governor, National Guard 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 of California may call individuals or units of the California National Guard into state service during emergencies or special situations. The state mission of the National Guard is: "To provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as otherwise provided by state law."

Components

Military Museum Command

California State Guard's Military Museum Command interim state museum is Camp Roberts Historical Museum. militarymuseum.org is provided as a public service by the California Military Department.

Adjutant General

Major General Matthew Beevers serves as the Adjutant General of California since he was appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom on 1 August 2022.

Adjutants General of California

Military academy

The California National Guard maintains the California Military Academy at Camp San Luis Obispo for the use and training of National Guard units from California and other states. Upon completion of Army Basic Training, OCS cadets will train a minimum of one weekend per month over a 16-18 month period before commissioning as a second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard.