The Mississippi Military Department is a state agency and part of the Mississippi executive branch. The Adjutant General (TAG) of Mississippi serves as the executive director of the Mississippi Military Department. The TAG reports to the Governor of Mississippi regarding the department and state military forces.
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Mississippi National Guard
The Mississippi National Guard is both a Mississippi state and a federal government organization, part of the United States National Guard. It is part of the Mississippi Military Department, a state agency of the government of Mississippi.
Mississippi Army National Guard
The Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) is the Army National Guard component of the Mississippi National Guard. It was originally formed in 1798. It is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. The Mississippi Army National Guard maintains 97 armories in 93 communities. Mississippi Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The Mississippi Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Mississippi.
Mississippi Air National Guard
The Mississippi Air National Guard (MSANG) is the military air component of the State of Mississippi, United States of America. It is, along with the Mississippi Army National Guard, an element of the Mississippi National Guard.
The units in the Mississippi Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Mississippi though the office of the Mississippi Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Mississippi Air National Guard is headquartered in Jackson, and its commander is currently Major General William L. Freeman Jr.
Mississippi State Guard
The Mississippi State Guard (MSSG) is the constitutionally authorized state defense force of the State of Mississippi. It operates under the authority of the Mississippi Military Department and has equal legal status with the Mississippi Army National Guard, (MSARNG) and the Mississippi Air National Guard (MSANG).