The Military Department is responsible for the command, leadership and management of the California National Guard, Youth and Community Programs, State Military Reserve and the Naval Militia. The California Military Department, under proper authority, organizes, resources, and trains forces with unique capabilities to serve the community, state, and nation. The purpose of the California National Guard is to provide mission ready forces to the federal government as directed by the President, emergency public safety support to civil authorities as directed by the Governor, and support to our member's families and to the community. With an authorized strength of 22,325, the Army National Guard and Air National Guard are organized, manned, and funded in accordance with federal Departments of the Army and Air Force regulatory guidance.

The Military Department Youth and Community Program serves California communities and families by delivering national level, high quality educational support programs, in partnership with the educational community, within a military, academic structured environment. In addition to the funding that flows through the State Treasury, the Military Department also receives federal funding directly from the Department of Defense. A special display titled "Other Federal Funds" shows the funding received from this source.

Since department programs drive the need for infrastructure investment, each department has a related capital outlay program to support this need. For the specifics on the Military Department's Capital Outlay Program, see "Infrastructure Overview."