| Oklahoma Military Department | |
|---|---|
| Great Seal of Oklahoma | |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | May 16, 1951 |
| Headquarters | 3501 Military Circle Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Employees | 443 civilian 9,955 military |
| Annual budget | $46 million |
| Minister responsible | Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, Secretary of the Military |
| Agency executives | Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, Adjutant General Brig. Gen. David S. Angle, Assistant Adjutant General for Air Guard Brig. Gen. Terry R. Council, Assistant Adjutant General for Army Guard |
| Child agency | Oklahoma National Guard |
| Website | |
| www.okguard.org | |
The Oklahoma Military Department is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that serves as the administrative agency for all matters concerning the Oklahoma National Guard and other state military organizations. Under the authority and direction of the Governor of Oklahoma as commander-in-chief, the agency is responsible for planning, establishing, and enforcing rules and procedures governing the administration, supply, and training of the Oklahoma National Guard, when not in the active service of the United States, the Oklahoma State Guard and the Oklahoma Unorganized Militia. The Department also maintains all state-owned or leased military facilities, including posts, camps, military reservations, and rifle ranges.
The Adjutant General of Oklahoma, appointed by the Governor with the advise and consent of the Oklahoma Senate, serves as the administrative director of the Military Department and is the military commanding officer of the Oklahoma National Guard.
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The Military Department traces its history to 1890 when the United States Congress authorized one regiment of organized militia for Oklahoma Territory. Following that authorization, the Territorial Legislature passed a law in 1895 which provided for the organization and development of the Volunteer Militia, which later became the Oklahoma National Guard.[1]
The Oklahoma Military Department was established in 1951 and serves as the administrative agency for all matters concerning the Oklahoma National Guard and other military organizations of the State government.
The Governor of Oklahoma is the commander-in-chief of all Oklahoma military organizations, making the Governor the chief officer of the Military Department. The Adjutant General of Oklahoma, appointed by the Governor with the advise and consent of the Oklahoma Senate, serves as the administrative head of the Military Department and is the military commanding officer of all Oklahoma military organizations, second only to the Governor. While serving as Adjutant General, the individual holding the office receives the rank of Major General.
In February 2009, Governor Brad Henry appointed Major General Myles Deering to serve as the Adjutant General.[2]
To assist him in running the Military Department, the Adjutant General appoints an Assistant Adjutant General for Army and an Assistant Adjutant General for Air, to oversee the Oklahoma Army National Guard and the Oklahoma Air National Guard respectively. Both Assistant Adjutants General have operational command over their units and both hold the rank of Brigadier General.
The Joint Staff assists the Adjutant General in the decision making and execution process of the Military Department. The Joint Staff does not have operational command over any units of the Military Department. The sole function of the Joint Staff is command support, and its only authority is that which is delegated to it by the Adjutant General. The Joint Staff assists the Adjutant General in accomplishing his responsibilities for strategic direction of the Department, ensuring operation of all units under unified command, and their integration into land and air forces. The Joint Staff is composed of both Army and Air National Guard personnel.
The head of the Joint Staff is the Chief of the Joint Staff appointed by the Adjutant General, who has the rank of Colonel.
The Joint Staff is composed of the following directorates:
The annual budget of the Military Department is divided into three primary sources: yearly appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature ($12.2 million or 27%), payments from the United States Department of the Army ($23.8 million or 52%) and payments from the United States Department of the Air Force ($6.3 million or 14%). The remainder comes from various sources.
Expenditures for the Department are dedicated primarily towards salaries for personnel ($25.6 million or 56%) and operating expenses ($14 million or 31%). The remaining budget is spent on various other expenses.
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