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Minnesota Agencies

Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

Military Affairs Department

Also known as:
Minnesota National Guard
Active dates:1856 -
Authority:
Minn. Stat. 192.01
Function:

Organizes, trains, equips, and houses the military forces of the state of Minnesota. Has control and jurisdiction over the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, state-owned or controlled armories, and air national guard bases.

The Department of Military Affairs provides the structure and resources to accomplish the four core programs that support the Minnesota National Guard: Maintenance of Training Facilities; Enlistment Incentives; Emergency Services; General Support.

History:

The office of the adjutant general has existed since the territorial period. The adjutant general is the executive officer of the Department of Military Affairs, which consists of the military forces of the state, civilians employed for administration and maintenance, and state-owned military installations. The military forces include the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and, when organized, the Minnesota State Guard. There was formerly also a Naval Militia. The department operates under Minnesota Statutes Chapters 190-195. The Guard's website provides an extensive historical timeline of the Minnesota National Guard.

The Minnesota National Guard is under state jurisdiction and can be used by the governor to assist the state during disasters and other state emergencies. The federal mission of the Guard is to provide a reserve component of the active U.S. Army and Air Force that may be called into federal service by the president in time of war or national emergency.
Agency heads:

Adjutants General:

  • James Boal (1849-1852)
  • Sylvanus Lowry (1852-1853)
  • Isaac Van Etten (1853-1858)
  • Alexander Jones (1858-1860)
  • William Acker (1860-1861)
  • John Benjamin Sanborn (1861)
  • Oscar Malmros (1861-1865)
  • John Peller (1865-1866)
  • Horatio Van Cleve (1866-1870)
  • Mark Deloss Flower (1870-1875)
  • Henry Anson Castle (1875-1876)
  • Horatio Van Cleve (1876-1882)
  • Alfred Clark Hawley (1882-1884)
  • Charles McCarthy (1884-1887)
  • Francis Web Seely (1887-1889)
  • John Mullen (1889-1893)
  • Herman Muehlberg (1893-1899)
  • George Lambert (1899-1901)
  • Ellias Libbey (1901-1905)
  • Fred Wood (1905-1917)
  • Walter Rhinow (1917-1927)
  • Ellard Walsh (1927-1949)
  • Joseph Nelson (1949-1960)
  • Chester Moeglein (1961-1975)
  • James Sieben (1975-1988)
  • Robert Schaumann (1988)
  • Eugene Andreotti (1988-2003)
  • Larry Shellito (2003-2010)
  • Richard Nash (2010-2017)
  • Jon Jensen (2017-August 2020)
  • Shawn Manke (August 2020 - )
Internet resource:
Minnesota National Guard
Minnesota National Guard History
Minnesota Management & Budget Agency Profile
Reports:
Annual Report: Minnesota National Guard (2004 - )
Annual Report: Minnesota Department of Military Affairs (1999/2000)
Guide to Minnesota Department of Military Affairs (1999)
Note: The Legislative Reference Library may have additional reports on or by this group available through our catalog.
Documents/Articles:
Walz orders MN National Guard to prepare for possible deployment following ICE killing. Minnesota Reformer, 1/7/2026.
Spending gap largest hurdle in reconciling House, Senate versions of veterans bill. Session Daily, 5/8/2025.
Military Affairs - Adjutant General, 1849-present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 2020.
Adjutants General and Senior Enlisted Advisors, 1849-present. Minnesota National Guard, 2019.
News clippings and documents. Agencies Notebook Collection, 1972-2019.
Record last updated: 04/22/2024
 

Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

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