OPPAGA Government Program Summary

What is the purpose of the department?

The Department of Military Affairs is a state agency that provides management oversight and administrative support to the Florida National Guard.

What are the responsibilities of the department?

The department is responsible for

combat readiness and emergency preparedness of the Florida National Guard;
responding to disasters and civil disturbances;
reducing the importation of controlled substances; and
assisting Floridians at risk.

The department is directly responsive to the Governor of Florida and operates within the policy guidance and fiscal framework of both federal and state authorities. The adjutant general serves as both the head of the Department of Military Affairs and the senior officer of the Florida National Guard. The department is staffed with full-time military personnel, federal technicians, state employees, citizen-soldiers, and airmen.

What is the Florida National Guard?

The Florida National Guard is composed of over 11,000 members, including more than 2,300 full-time federal personnel. The Guard serves as a reserve component of the U.S. Air force and Army. Training, arming, and equipping the Guard is funded wholly or partially by the federal government. The state and federal governments jointly fund guard armories.

How are National Guard units and individuals activated?

Members of the Florida National Guard can be activated by the Governor for full-time duty (i.e., state active duty) and can also be activated under state control, but with pay and benefits provided by the federal government.

In addition, there are four statutory provisions by which members of the Florida National Guard can be involuntarily ordered to federal active duty for a year or more. Three of these provisions have existed for decades, and are commonly referred to as Full Mobilization, Partial Mobilization, and Presidential Reserve Call-up. The fourth provision, added in 2011, allows reservists to be activated to support the Combatant Commands for preplanned missions. These provisions differ from each other in terms of the statutory requirements for utilization, the number and category of reservists called up, and the duration of the call up.

Where are facilities and units located?

The Department of Military Affairs is located in St. Augustine. Camp Blanding is the guard's major training facility, located near Starke. The department also manages 63 armories and leased facilities statewide.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24

Title	Fund	Dollars	Positions
MILITARY AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF
PROGRAM: READINESS AND RESPONSE
	DRUG INTERDICTION AND PREVENTION	3,035,000	.00
	EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES	5,667,145	30.00
	FEDERAL/STATE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS	110,453,773	318.00
	FLORIDA STATE GUARD	109,226,229	11.00
	MILITARY READINESS AND RESPONSE	107,110,555	110.00
TOTAL		335,492,702	469.00

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

Florida State Guard. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-167, Laws of Florida, which revises provisions relating to Florida State Guard (FSG) creation and authorization; provides the number of volunteer personnel; establishes the Division of State Guard within the Division of Military Affairs; provides that the head of division is a director appointed by the Governor; removes provisions establishing authority of the department and the Adjutant General with respect to the FSG; provides additional duties of the division and director; revises the qualifications for FSG applicants; requires a specialized unit within FSG; revises the criteria for FSG activation; and, repeals provisions relating to the Florida State Defense Force.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
Florida Army National Guard
U.S. Air National Guard
U.S. Army National Guard

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapters 250, 251, and 252, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Department of Military Affairs, 904-823-0364
Website