Each state in the United States has a senior military officer, as the state adjutant general, who is the de facto commander of a state's military forces, including the National Guard residing within the state, the state's naval militia, and any state defense forces. This officer is known as TAG, and is subordinated to the chief executive. They do not have authority over police forces, only military forces.

The California Military Department is an agency defined under the California Military and Veterans Code § 50. It includes the California National Guard, California State Guard, and the Youth and Community Programs.