Oklahoma Military Department


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. 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, licensed or leased facilities, including Camp Gruber.
The Adjutant General of Oklahoma, appointed by the Governor with the advice 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.

History

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.
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.

Leadership

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 advice 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 holds the rank of Major General.
In February 2015, Major General Myles Deering was succeeded as Adjutant General by Major General Robbie L. Asher.

Organization

Army and Air Divisions

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.

Joint Staff

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 Brigadier General
The Joint Staff is composed of the following directorates:
The annual budget of the Military Department is divided into two primary sources: yearly appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature and federal funding made available thought the Master Cooperative Agreement.
Expenditures for the Department are dedicated towards salaries for personnel and operating expenses in support of OMD managed facilities in support of the State Guard.