Wisconsin. Adjutant General's Office

An adjutant general was first appointed as an aide by the territorial governor in 1839. Over the next two decades the position gradually acquired more authority, supervising the everyday affairs of the state militia (WIHV91-A663). By Chapter 87, Laws of 1858, it became a full-time office under direction of the governor. Chapter 208, Laws of 1879, reorganized the state militia as the Wisconsin National Guard (WIHV88-A102) and transferred the Adjutant General's Office to the new organization. The Adjutant General's Office assumed program responsibilities for the Wisconsin Air National Guard (WIHV91-A357), following its establishment in June, 1947. The 1967 executive branch reorganization act (Ch. 75) created a Dept. of Military Affairs (WIHV91-A356), administered by the adjutant general. In the Wisconsin State Archives' database, this heading is used for all appropriate administrative series, 1839-1967. Later administrative records are cataloged under the Dept. of Military Affairs or its subunits. Military unit records are cataloged under "Wisconsin. State Militia" or "Wisconsin. National Guard" or "Wisconsin. Air National Guard" as appropriate. Logistical records are cataloged under "Wisconsin. Quartermaster Corps."

The governor, constitutionally, is commander in chief of the National Guard. However, the Adjutant General's Office had administrative responsibility for the National Guard. The adjutant general is appointed by the governor from officers actively serving in the Army or Air National Guard of Wisconsin.

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