The Washington State Guard (WSG) is an all-volunteer, uniformed military element of the Military Department of Washington. WSG members train without compensation and serve within the state. The Washington State Guard serves at the direction of the state’s Adjutant General, and the Governor is our commander-in-chief. The Washington State Guard serves two major functions:
First, the WSG is the perm
anent cadre structure of the legally authorized state militia, which can be activated by the Governor in response to major disasters or other events. Second, the WSG deploys highly trained teams for specific missions within the state—frequently in close co-ordination with the Air and Army National Guard. We have teams that specialize in cyber security, emergency communication, domestic and tribal liaison officers, woodland SAR trackers, and more. WSG members normally drill monthly as organized units stationed at strategic locations throughout the state.
