Now, the department oversees three military branches: the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard and the Texas State Guard, and boasts a total budget of $196 million and an estimated IT budget of $7.4 million.
HOW IS THE AGENCY FUNDED?
According to the agency’s 2023-2027 strategic plan, “TMD is funded through a combination of federal funds, state general revenue (GR), interagency contracts, grants and appropriated receipts.”
In FY 2021, the report states that the federal appropriation to the agency was $655.6 million, while the state allocated $26.5 million. TMD also received $22.3 million for Operation Lone Star from state general revenue. However, what sets the department apart from other state agencies is that it could receive additional state or federal funds in the event of a disaster declaration.
WHAT ARE THE AGENCY’S GOALS?
Here are some of the agency’s goals listed in its 2023-2027 strategic plan:
- Create infrastructure that enables TMD personnel to succeed.
- Emphasize the urgent need to increase investment in the TMD State Tuition Assistance Program.
- Integrate newly approved state of Texas pay/benefits into the TMD and state pay systems.
- Forecast emerging civil support equipment requirements and streamline procurement to provide mission-ready equipment.
- Maintain civil support equipment and training to ensure readiness to support state and federal missions.
- Pursue resources for dedicated training to conduct specialized domestic operations mission sets.
AGENCY FACTS
Budget: Estimated at $196 million overall, with a $7.4 million IT budget, according to Industry Navigator.*
Leadership: Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, the 53rd Adjutant General. Lt. Col. Chris Winnek is TMD's cyber operations chief.
Staff: As of Sept. 1, 2022, the TMD employed 533.5 full-time equivalent state employees, according to the agency’s most recent staff compensation report.
*Industry Navigator is a product of e.Republic, which also produces Industry Insider — Texas.
