Washington Military Department Explained

The Washington Military Department is a branch of the state government of Washington, United States.

The Washington State Military Department has several major operational divisions:

• Washington Emergency Management Division ^[1]
• Washington Army National Guard^[2]
• Washington Air National Guard
• Washington State Guard^[3]
• Washington Youth Academy^[4]
• State & Federal Support Services

These divisions use state and federal resources to perform homeland defense, homeland security, and emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities.^[5]

Brigadier General Gent Walsh has served as adjutant general and director of the Washington Military Department since June 29, 2024.^[6]

Washington State Emergency Operations Center

The Washington State Emergency Operations Center is located at Camp Murray, under the Military Department's Emergency Management Division.^[7] The 28,000 square foot facility, occupied since mid 1998, is built on rollers to withstand earthquakes.^[8] The Emergency Operations Center was activated for the 2012 Washington wildfires, 2015 Washington wildfires,^[8] 2016 Washington wildfires, 2018 Washington wildfires, and for the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.^[9]

See also

• Washington Naval Militia

Notes and References

1. Web site: National Guard Washington State Military Department. February 28, 2016.
2. Web site: National Guard Washington State Military Department. mil.wa.gov. November 24, 2015.
3. Web site: State Guard Washington State Military Department. mil.wa.gov. November 24, 2015.
4. Web site: Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy . . www.cgyca.org . May 5, 2018 .
5. Web site: About Us Washington State Military Department. mil.wa.gov. November 24, 2015.
6. Web site: Siemandel . Joseph . Governor appoints Brig. Gen. Gent Welsh as the next adjutant general . Washington State Military Department . June 21, 2024 . June 21, 2024.
7. Web site: Emergency Management Division. Washington State Military Department . official website. March 7, 2020.
8. Web site: About the Emergency Operations Center. Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division. March 24, 2020.
9. Vice President Pence, Congresswoman Herrera Beutler Visit Pierce County Readiness Center and Washington State Emergency Operations Center . March 6, 2020 . .