Military+Department

toc The Wyoming Military Department is composed of the Army and Air National Guard and State Military Affairs. The Department also oversees the Wyoming Veterans Commission and the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. The Army and Air National Guard have dual state and federal missions. The Governor serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Wyoming Army and Air National Guard for all state missions. The Adjutant General is responsible to the Governor. Command of the Wyoming National Guard is exercised by the Adjutant General through Assistant Adjutants General for each branch.
 * Military Department **

Phone (307) 772-5253, Fax (307) 772-5132
 * Contact information:** Physical Address: 5800 Central Avenue Mailing Address: 5410 Bishop Boulevard Cheyenne 82009-3320
 * Website:** [|wyomilitary.wyo.gov] (2015 State Directory)

=History=

The Organic Act of 1869, by which Wyoming Territory was created and organized, provided for the Governor to be the commander-in-chief of the militia thereof.

The Second Territorial Legislative Assembly, 1871, provided for the formation of volunteer militia companies, but it was not until 1882, when the Seventh Territorial Legislative Assembly authorized the organization of a Territorial militia in the Territory of Wyoming.

The Eleventh Territorial Legislative Assembly, 1890, authorized the organization of a Territorial militia, which provided for the organized militia to be known as "Wyoming National Guard"; the Governor of the Territory to be commander-in-chief, and the Secretary of the Territory to be Adjutant General.

The Constitution provided for the Legislature to establish the militia of the State; also for the Governor to be commander-in-chief of the militia forces of the State, and enumerated his powers and duties as such.

The First State Legislature, 1890-1891, repealed parts of the existing statutory laws concerning the militia; it provided for the governor, who is commander in chief of the militia, to appoint an Adjutant General of the Wyo­ming National Guard, for a term of three years, and enumerated his powers and duties.

The Third State Legislature, 1895, repealed the militia laws of 1890 (Ter­ritorial), and of 1890-91 (State), and all other acts in conflict with an act of the Third State Legislature, organizing a State militia, to be known as the Wyo­ming National Guard; this act provided for the powers and duties of the Wyoming National Guard, the Governor to be the commander-in-chief; it also provided for an adjutant general to be appointed by the Governor for a term of four years, and enumerated his powers and duties. There were repeals and amendments of the State militia laws between 1895 and 1925, but the general status of the organization remained about the same until 1925.

The Eighteenth State Legislature, 1925, repealed the existing laws gov­erning the State militia, and reenacted State militia laws to conform with the Federal laws for national defense. The governor appointed all officers of the National Guard of the State of Wyoming, who held their positions until they had reached the age of sixty-four years; he also appointed the adjutant general, whose term of office was to be four years. The duties of the adjutant general as prescribed by law were to control the military department of the State of Wyoming, he to be subordinate only to the governor in matters pertaining thereto. As chief of staff he is charged with the general responsibility for the organization, arming, training, supply and administration of the National Guard; is subject to call by the governor to enforce the laws of the State; is responsible for the administration of Federal military activities pertaining to the National Guard; in time of war is subject to call by the President of the United States; responsible for the organization and supervision of Federal emergency mobilization, recruiting and selective service operations under General Staff War plans.

The Twenty-fifth State Legislature, 1939, provided for the adjutant general to hold office as of the 1925 Act which provided or National Guard of­ficers to hold office until they were sixty-four years of age.

=Commissions=

Wyoming Veterans Commission
The Wyoming Veterans Commission (WVC) was created to study state and federal legislation affecting Wyoming’s 56,000 veterans and their families; and to make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. Twelve commissioners are appointed by the Governor. Senate confirmation is not required.


 * Contact information:** Joint Forces Readiness Center Physical Address: 5800 Central Avenue Mailing Address: 5410 Bishop Boulevard Cheyenne 82009
 * Website:** [|wvc.wyo.gov] Phone (307) 777-8152, Fax (307) 777-8150 (2015 State Directory)

=Adjutant Generals=
 * ~ Name ||~  ||~ Start Date ||~   ||~ End Date ||
 * Francis Stitzer ||  || 1888 ||   || March 3, 1890 ||
 * James W. Meldrum ||  || March 3, 1890 ||   || January 6, 1891 ||
 * Francis Stitzer ||  || January 7, 1891 ||   || January 6, 1893 ||
 * Leopold Kabis ||  || February 21, 1893 ||   || July 14, 1894 ||
 * Phillip Zehner Jr. ||  || July 14, 1894 ||   || September 10, 1894 ||
 * Fred P. Shannon ||  || September 10, 1894 ||   || February 2, 1895 ||
 * Frank A Stitzer ||  || January 10, 1895 ||   || March 18, 1905 ||
 * Prince A. Gatchell ||  || March 25, 1905 ||   || February 18 1911 ||
 * M.C. Barkwell ||  || February 18, 1911 ||   || February 28, 1913 ||
 * Verling K. Hart ||  || April 15, 1913 ||   || June 20, 1914 ||
 * George M. Sliney ||  || June 24, 1914 ||   || January 31, 1916 ||
 * Rasmus Anderson ||  || February 1, 1916 ||   || October 10, 1916 ||
 * Arthur Parker ||  || October 1, 1916 ||   || March 5, 1917 ||
 * Rasmus Anderson ||  || April 4, 1917 ||   || April 18, 1917 ||
 * William K. Weaver ||  || April 20, 1917 ||   || May 14, 1919 ||
 * Timothy J. Mccoy ||  || May 13, 1919 ||   || June 14, 1921 ||
 * Rhodolph L. Esmay ||  || June 11, 1921 ||   || May 16, 1923 ||
 * Walter F Davis ||  || May 17, 1923 ||   || February 28, 1929 ||
 * Rhodolph L. Esmay ||  || March 1, 1929 ||   || 1963 ||
 * George O. Pearson ||  || 1963 ||   || 1964 ||
 * R.O. Cooper ||  || 1964 ||   || 1965 ||
 * Robert Outsen ||  || 1965 ||   || 1966 ||
 * George O Pearson ||  || 1966 ||   || 1967 ||
 * John R Carlson ||  || 1967 ||   ||   ||
 * Need to Review Directories ||  || 1968 ||   || 1981 ||
 * James L. Spence ||  || 1980 ||   ||   ||
 * James L. Spence ||  || 1982 ||   || 1986 ||
 * Charles Wing ||  || 1987 ||   || 1994 ||
 * Ed Boenisch ||  || 1995 ||   || 2002 ||
 * Edward L Wright ||  || 2003 ||   || 2008 ||
 * ||  || 2009 ||   || 2010 ||
 * Luke Reiner ||  || 2011 ||   || present ||

=Additional Resources=
 * Wyoming Military Department website (accessed September 2015)