California Army National Guard

What California Army National Guard does

The California Army National Guard is the land-based military component of the California Military Department, operating under dual federal-state authority with federal recognition through the National Guard Bureau. Founded in 1849 as the organized state militia, it is the nation's largest state National Guard and delivers a portfolio of services including state defense, federal mission support, emergency response, disaster relief, counterdrug operations, cybersecurity, and special forces capabilities. It is funded through federal DoD appropriations and state legislative appropriations, with no commercial pricing model; service members receive pay, benefits, and educational assistance in exchange for service.

The organization operates specialized units including Company C, 1/19th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Cyber Protection Team 171 and a Defensive Cyber Operations Element providing computer network defense on DoD networks; and the Counterdrug Task Force, which supports law enforcement across 176 federal, state, local, and tribal agencies (FY19) and contributed to $5.6B–$7.2B in illegal drug seizures (FY19–FY25). It runs 21 Family Readiness Centers and 4 Airman and Family Readiness Offices across California, training installations at Los Alamitos, Camp Roberts, and Camp San Luis Obispo, plus aviation assets including UH-72 Lakota and HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters and RC-26 aircraft. The technology stack encompasses military communications systems (SINCGARS, PRC-117, PRC-152, PSC-5, HF), an in-house Data Analytics & Development division, and a CMD mobile application for service member communications.

Name

California Army National Guard

Legal name

California Army National Guard

Website

https://calguard.ca.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1849

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The California Army National Guard is the Army component of the California Military Department, providing land-based defense, emergency response, counterdrug operations, cybersecurity, and special forces capabilities under dual federal-state authority. It serves California, the U.S. Department of Defense, law enforcement agencies, and service members and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Defense Services

NAICS

National Security (928110), National Security (92811), Administration of Veterans' Affairs (92314), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Operations & Force Readiness (BPAIAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Defense Infrastructure, Installations & Base Operations (BPAIAHAK), Veterans/Military Hospitals & Federal Health Systems (HLAFAAAH)

Keywords

• Military defense services
• Emergency response operations
• Counterdrug operations
• Cybersecurity defense
• National guard training

Headquarters

HQ city

Rancho Cordova

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Appropriations: The California Army National Guard receives federal funding through Department of Defense appropriations for Army National Guard operations, training, equipment, and personnel.
2. State Government Appropriations: State funding through California Legislature appropriations for National Guard activities, facilities, and emergency response operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The California Army National Guard is the land-based military component of the California Military Department, providing state and federal defense operations, emergency disaster response, counterdrug task force support to law enforcement, cybersecurity defense through Cyber Protection Team 171 and Defensive Cyber Operations Element, Special Forces operations, and family support services through 21 Family Readiness Centers. Service members receive pay, educational benefits (CMD GI Bill), healthcare (TRICARE), and professional military training in exchange for service.

Product overview

The California Army National Guard operates as part of the California Military Department, comprising three components: California Army National Guard, California Air National Guard, and California State Guard. The organization provides a comprehensive portfolio of military and support services including defense operations, emergency response, counterdrug operations, cybersecurity, special forces, and extensive family support programs. Key service offerings span career opportunities through CMD Jobs, educational benefits via the GI Bill Award Program, behavioral health services, youth development programs (ChalleNGe Academies), family support through 21 Family Readiness Centers, the CMD Foundation for emergency relief, Cyber Network Defense services, and IT/communications infrastructure through the J-6 directorate. The organization also maintains facilities, provides procurement services, and supports veterans through dedicated benefit programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Counterdrug Task Force (CDTF) Multi-component task force supporting federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with analysis, ground tactical operations, civil operations, aviation reconnaissance, and engineering to combat drug trafficking organizations within California.
• Cyber Network Defense (CND) Cybersecurity organization providing defensive cyber operations, assistance to state, local, academic, and critical infrastructure providers, and coordination with government agencies including State CIO/CISO, Cal-OES, DHS Cyber, FBI Cyber Team, and CHP Cyber Crime Unit.
• Company C, 1/19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Special Forces unit performing Unconventional Warfare, Foreign Internal Defense, Special Reconnaissance, Direct Action, Counterterrorism, Counter-proliferation, and Information Operations missions.
• CMD GI Bill Award Program State educational grant program paying up to 100% of tuition and fees at University of California, California State University, or California Community College for qualifying California National Guard members.
• Youth and Community Programs (Task Force Torch) Youth development programs including Discovery Youth ChalleNGe Academy, Grizzly Youth Academy, and Porterville Military Academy focused on leadership and resilience building for at-risk youth.
• CMD Jobs (Career Opportunities) Comprehensive career portal offering military positions including Army Active Guard Reserve, Air Active Guard Reserve, Counterdrug Task Force, State Active Duty, Federal Employment, and Work For Warriors programs for service members, veterans, and families.
• Family Programs (Family Readiness Centers) Network of 21 Family Readiness Centers and 4 Airman and Family Readiness Offices providing ID cards, TRICARE resources, legal/financial referrals, crisis intervention, and employment assistance to service members and families throughout California.
• J-6 Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Directorate providing IT support, state network management, distributed learning classrooms, emergency communications, and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) services for the California Military Department.
• CMD App (Mobile Application) Mobile application providing real-time notifications, managed group chat, announcements, CMD-wide directory, key events calendar, and leader resources for California Military Department personnel.
• CMD Behavioral Health Office Program maintaining fighting force readiness and enhancing resiliency through behavioral health resources, crisis intervention, and support services for California Military Department service members.
• CMD Foundation (Military Department Support Fund) Donation-supported foundation providing emergency financial assistance through Military Family Relief Grants and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Grants for service members and their families.
• Veterans Benefits Coordination Resource coordination helping California National Guard members and families access veterans benefits and assistance programs.
• Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR) Comprehensive program focusing on awareness prevention, victim-centered support, and accountability for sexual assault incidents within the California Military Department.

Quantifiable outcome

• $7.2 billion in illegal drug seizures supported in FY24
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mexico's Secretariat of National DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024California National Guard has entered into a State Partnership with Mexico's Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) for collaborative defense and security initiatives.
• State CIO/CISOcoreTechnology or IntegrationCybersecurity partnership for state information technology infrastructure protection and coordination.
• Cal-OES CAL-CSICcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and California Security and Intelligence Center for cyber incident response.
• DHS CybercoreTechnology or IntegrationDepartment of Homeland Security cybersecurity coordination for national cyber defense efforts.
• FBI – Cyber Team (Sacramento)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Bureau of Investigation cyber team coordination for cybersecurity operations and investigations.
• CHP Cyber Crime UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Highway Patrol Cyber Crime Unit partnership for state-level cyber operations.
• U.S. Customs and Border ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDTF engineers support U.S. Customs and Border Protection through infrastructure maintenance and road construction and repair projects.
• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState HIDTA partnerships for drug trafficking prevention and suppression operations.
• Arizona National GuardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-state cyber training exercise partnership including Cyber Dawn 2020.
• Nevada National GuardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-state cyber training exercise partnership including Cyber Dawn 2020.
• National Guard BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal oversight and funding authority for Army and Air National Guard operations through Cooperative Agreements and Federal Support Agreements.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Florida Department of Military Affairs (Florida Army National Guard): Florida Army National Guard is a high-end-strength state guard with similar disaster-response, counterdrug, and special-operations missions, particularly relevant for hurricane and civil-support operations. Directly comparable structure and funding model.
• Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: Pennsylvania's Army National Guard component mirrors the dual federal/state structure with comparable family-program, education benefit, and counterdrug offerings. Directly comparable peer.
• New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (New York Army National Guard): New York Army National Guard operates under the same federal-state construct with overlapping mission sets including counterdrug, cyber, special forces, and emergency response. Highly comparable governance and budget structure.
• Texas Military Department (Texas Army National Guard): Texas Army National Guard is the closest peer in scale and mission structure — another very large dual federal/state military force with similar cyber, aviation, counterdrug, and family-support functions. Directly comparable as a state-level National Guard component.
• Ohio National Guard: Ohio National Guard operates as a state-level force with similar cyber, aviation, counterdrug, and community-outreach capabilities. Comparable mission breadth and federal-state funding structure.
• California Air National Guard: Sister component of the California Military Department — operates aviation and cyber capabilities in support of federal and state missions within the same state footprint. Most natural direct functional peer within California.

Broad incumbents

• National Guard Bureau: Federal oversight and funding authority for all 54 state/territory National Guard organizations. Larger, established administrative body that governs the California Army National Guard through cooperative and federal-support agreements.
• U.S. Army Reserve: Federal reserve component of the U.S. Army with overlapping mission sets (cyber, special operations support, civil affairs). Comparable in being a part-time/reserve force but operates under federal-only authority, not dual state/federal.

Others

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Major recipient of California CDTF engineering and aviation support; counterpart federal agency in the counterdrug and border-security mission space. Not a competitor but a tightly coupled operational partner.
• Cal OES (California Governor's Office of Emergency Services): Primary state-level partner for emergency response, disaster relief, and the CAL-CSIC cyber incident response center. Adjacent mission overlap in emergency management and a key coordination node rather than a direct peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thecalguard
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnD7_depcyCPPYcQav03y5A
• Facebookfacebook.com/CAARMYGUARD
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecalguard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-military-department

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Army National Guard