Sec. 27-6a. Organization of first and second companies of Governor's Foot
Guards. The first and second companies of the Governor's Foot Guards may each
consist of one major, grade 0-4; one captain, grade 0-3; three first lieutenants, grade 0-2; one second lieutenant, grade 0-1; one ensign with the rank of second lieutenant, grade
0-1; one warrant officer, grade W-4, to be bandmaster, one quartermaster who shall
serve on the major's staff with the rank of captain, grade 0-3, and the following enlisted
personnel: One sergeant major, grade E-9; two first sergeants, grade E-8; one sergeant
first class, grade E-7, and designated as quartermaster sergeant; four staff sergeants,
grade E-6, two designated as quartermaster sergeants, one as ordnance sergeant, and
one as company clerk; two sergeants, grade E-5, color-bearers, together with twelve
sergeants, grade E-5; eight corporals, grade E-4; ninety-six enlisted persons, twenty-four of whom shall be privates first class, grade E-3; and the balance to be privates grade
E-2 or E-1. Each company is authorized a band of twenty-eight musicians with the
following grades: One sergeant first class, grade E-7; two staff sergeants, grade E-6;
four sergeants, grade E-5; seventeen corporals, grade E-4; four privates first class, grade
E-3, and twenty-eight persons for field music with the following grades: One sergeant
first class, grade E-7; two staff sergeants, grade E-6; four sergeants, grade E-5; seventeen
corporals, grade E-4; four privates first class, grade E-3. The commander of any company of the Governor's Guards may appoint either of its sergeants to be an orderly
sergeant and may displace such orderly sergeant and make a new appointment as occasion may require.
(1963, P.A. 443, S. 1; P.A. 74-321, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 74-321 substituted "persons" for "men" following "ninety-six enlisted" and substituted "such orderly
sergeant" for "him".
Sec. 27-7. Governor's Horse Guards. The first and second companies of the Governor's Horse Guards may each consist of one major, one captain, two first lieutenants,
two second lieutenants, one cornet with the rank of second lieutenant, one master sergeant, one first sergeant, two staff sergeants, twelve sergeants, twelve corporals, thirty-two privates first class and sixty-four privates.
(1949 Rev., S. 1327; 1951, S. 879d.)
Sec. 27-8. Governor's Guards to be organized militia. The Governor's Guards,
subject to the provisions of their charters and of the general statutes as to organization,
training and discipline, shall be organized militia, with the immunities and privileges
provided by law, and, in time of war, invasion, rebellion or riot or reasonable apprehension thereof, may be ordered out by the Governor for duty.
(1949 Rev., S. 1326; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 4.)
Sec. 27-9. Organization of the Connecticut State Guard. Whenever the Connecticut National Guard is called into the federal service or whenever such a call, in the
opinion of the Governor, is deemed to be imminent, the Governor shall forthwith raise,
organize, maintain and govern, from the unorganized militia, a body of troops for military duty. Said body of troops, when so organized, shall be known as "the Connecticut
State Guard" and for and during the time of its existence as herein provided it shall be
a part of the organized militia.
(September, 1950, 1953, S. 870d.)
Sec. 27-10. Active service of the Connecticut State Guard: Officers. The Governor shall order the Connecticut State Guard into active service whenever he deems it
necessary for the interests of the state and shall prescribe the number of officers and
enlisted personnel required for that service, from time to time, as the necessity of the
public interest requires. He shall organize the Connecticut State Guard in such a manner
as will best accomplish its mission. He shall appoint and commission qualified persons
as officers of the Connecticut State Guard.
(September, 1950, 1953, S. 871d; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 5; P.A. 74-321, S. 3.)
History: P.A. 74-321 substituted "enlisted personnel" for "men".
Sec. 27-11. Inactive service. Discharge. Whenever it appears to the Governor that
the public interest no longer requires the active service of the Connecticut State Guard
or any portion thereof, he shall forthwith order so many of said troops as he believes
may safely be dispensed with into inactive service as members of the Connecticut State
Guard reserve or may disband and discharge them, or any portion of them, as he may
see fit.
(September, 1950, S. 873d.)
Sec. 27-12. Strength of military forces. A minimum strength of enlisted personnel in the National Guard, naval militia and organized militia combined to the number
of two thousand five hundred shall be maintained.
(1949 Rev., S. 1244; P.A. 74-321, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 74-321 substituted "personnel" for "men".
Sec. 27-13. Recognition and regulation of units of unorganized militia. To the
extent permitted by the Constitution of the United States, the Governor may, at any
time, order, authorize or recognize such organizations of the unorganized militia, or of
designated classes thereof, or of volunteers therefrom, as he deems to be for the public
interest, and may prescribe therefor such parts of the regulations governing the organized
militia as may be applicable thereto or establish such regulations therefor, as he may
deem proper. The Governor may, at any time, provide for a separate organization, or
authorize the enlistment in organizations of the unorganized militia, of all persons volunteering for such service, not otherwise subject to military duty under section 27-1.
(1953, S. 876d.)
PART II
COMMAND AND MILITARY DEPARTMENT
Sec. 27-14. Governor to be commander-in-chief. The Governor shall be the Captain-General and, as such, commander-in-chief of the militia, and of the National Guard
and the naval militia, not in the service of the United States, and may employ it, or any
part of it, for the defense or relief of the state or any part of its inhabitants or territory;
and shall have all the powers necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.
He shall issue all orders and prescribe all regulations for the organization and government of the organized militia, the National Guard and the naval militia. Such orders and
regulations shall not be in conflict with the laws and regulations of the United States.
He shall issue all orders and regulations necessary to cause the National Guard and naval
militia to conform at all times to the laws and regulations of the United States relating
thereto.
(1949 Rev., S. 1233.)
See Sec. 27-73a re emergency service awards.
Sec. 27-15. Governor's military staff. The Governor shall appoint the military
staff that shall consist of the Adjutant General, who shall be chief of staff with the rank
of lieutenant general; the assistant adjutant generals, one of whom shall serve as deputy
chief of staff as provided under subsection (c) of section 27-24; the chief of staff for the
Connecticut Air National Guard; an air aide-de-camp with the rank of colonel, who shall
be the senior aviation officer of the Connecticut National Guard; a Surgeon General, who
shall be the senior medical officer of the National Guard; one aide-de-camp with the
rank of colonel from the United States Air Force Reserve; one aide-de-camp with the
rank of captain from the United States Naval Reserve; one aide-de-camp with the rank
of colonel from the United States Marine Corps Reserve; one aide-de-camp with the
rank of colonel from the United States Army Reserve; one aide-de-camp with the rank
of lieutenant commander from the United States Coast Guard Reserve; five aides-de-camp, two with the rank of colonel, two with the rank of lieutenant colonel and one with
the rank of major, all of whom shall be from the National Guard; and two enlisted aides-de-camp with the rank of sergeant major from the National Guard. Members appointed
from the armed forces of the state shall retain their federal or state grades and shall
remain subject to duty therein and, if appointed to such staff in a rank lower than the
highest grade attained in federal or state service, shall serve on the staff in their highest
recognized grade. Any requirement of this section that any member of the Governor's
military staff shall be a member of, or hold any rank in, the National Guard shall be
inapplicable whenever the National Guard is in active service with the Army, Navy or
Air Force of the United States and at such time the military staff of the Governor may
be appointed by the Governor from the organized or unorganized militia, ex-members
of the United States Army or Navy or the Connecticut National Guard, or from civil
life; and in addition to the active military staff the Governor may, at said Governor's
discretion, appoint honorary staff members from the former National Guard or naval
militia then on active military duty. The Governor, at any other time, may appoint honorary staff members to the Connecticut National Guard without regard to affiliation who
shall serve without the pay, honors, privileges and benefits afforded the active staff
members, including, but not limited to, allowances and tuition waivers. The majors
commandant of the first and second companies Governor's Foot Guards and the Governor's Horse Guards shall be ex-officio members of the Governor's military staff. The
Governor shall also appoint the immediate predecessors of such majors commandant
to serve as additional ex-officio members. In addition to the above-named officers, the
Governor shall appoint three additional staff members, one of whom shall be a colonel
or of equivalent naval rank and two of whom shall be majors or of equivalent naval rank.
(1949 Rev., S. 1234; 1949, 1955, S. 850d; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 6; P.A. 87-162; P.A. 92-142, S. 3, 4; P.A. 99-139, S. 1;
P.A. 01-123, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 87-162 authorized the governor to appoint honorary staff members to the Connecticut National Guard;
P.A. 92-142 substituted "military staff" for "staff", provided for both assistant adjutants general and the chief of staff for
the Connecticut Air National Guard to serve on such staff and provided for one of the assistant adjutants general to serve
as deputy chief of staff; P.A. 99-139 specified the rank and branch of the military for each aide-de-camp and included the
immediate predecessors of the majors commandant of the Foot and Horse Guards as additional ex-officio members; P.A.
01-123 changed rank of Adjutant General from major general to lieutenant general and made a technical change.
Sec. 27-16. Authority of Governor. Service outside state. In time of war, invasion, rebellion, riot or disaster, or reasonable apprehension thereof, or upon requisition
by the President of the United States, the Governor shall order out for active service
such portion of the militia as he deems necessary. Whenever it is necessary in case of
invasion, disaster, insurrection, riot or breach of the peace, or imminent danger thereof,
the Governor may direct the members of the unorganized militia or such of them as may
be necessary to be drafted, under such regulations as he may prescribe, into the active
service of the state, to serve as directed by him. The Governor may order the organized
militia or any part thereof to serve outside the borders of this state in order to perform
military duty of every description and to participate in parades, reviews, cruises, conferences, encampments, maneuvers or other training and to participate in small arms and
other military competitions and to attend service schools.
(1949 Rev., S. 1226; 1953, S. 849d; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 7.)
Sec. 27-17. Armed forces may be called in case of riot. In case of riot or civil
commotion in any place in this state, any official whose duty it is to enforce the civil
authority at such place may, if he considers that the force at his disposal is not sufficient,
inform the Governor, who may order out such portion of the armed forces of the state
as he thinks advisable and may direct the commanding officer of the force selected to
communicate with the person making application to assist such person in preserving
the peace and to use such portion of his force as may be necessary therefor.
(1949 Rev., S. 1260; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 9; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 107.)
History: 1971 act deleted provision for preliminary warning before use of force.
Cited. 133 C. 520.
Sec. 27-18. Calling out troops without Governor's order. Whenever any civil
officer whose duty it is to enforce the civil authority in any place in this state finds it
impossible to communicate immediately with the Governor and deems the danger too
imminent to admit of delay, he may make written requisition for assistance, containing
a statement that he is unable to communicate with the Governor, upon the senior officer
of any part of the organized militia or National Guard located in his town, city or county;
and such commanding officer is authorized thereupon to exercise, with respect to calling
out the troops under his command, the powers conferred by law upon the Governor,
until he receives instructions or orders from the Governor.
(1949 Rev., S. 1261.)
Sec. 27-19. Adjutant General. The Military Department shall be under the charge
of the Adjutant General. On or before July 1, 1980, the Governor shall appoint an Adjutant General with the rank of major general to serve for a term of two years from July
1, 1980. Quadrennially thereafter, the Governor shall appoint an Adjutant General with
the rank of lieutenant general to serve for a term of four years, from such first day of
July and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Adjutant General shall have
had at least ten years' commissioned service in the armed forces of the United States.
No person shall be appointed or continue to serve after reaching the age of sixty-four
years. The Adjutant General may be suspended or removed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-11, 4-12 and 4-13.
(1949 Rev., S. 1235; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 10; 1959, P.A. 496; P.A. 75-333, S. 3; P.A. 01-123, S. 2; P.A. 03-19, S. 67.)
History: 1959 act changed appointment date from July 1, 1963, to July 1, 1964, and changed experience requirement
to at least ten years in the armed forces of the United States; P.A. 75-333 provided for appointment of adjutant general for
a two-year term from July 1, 1980, and quadrennially thereafter, to serve a term of four rather than eight years; P.A. 01-123 replaced "in charge" with "under the charge", changed rank of Adjutant General from major general to lieutenant
general and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 03-19 made technical changes, effective May
12, 2003.
Sec. 27-19a. Military Department to be within Department of Public Safety
for administrative purposes only. The Military Department established under this
chapter shall be within the Department of Public Safety for administrative purposes only.
(P.A. 77-614, S. 501, 610.)
See Sec. 4-38f for definition of "administrative purposes only".
See title 29, chapter 528 (Sec. 29-1b et seq.) re Department of Public Safety.
Sec. 27-20. Duties of Adjutant General. The Adjutant General shall make such
returns and reports to such officers as may be prescribed by the Department of Defense
in regulations pertaining to the National Guard and naval militia, at such times and in
such form as may, from time to time, be prescribed. The Adjutant General shall keep a
record of all officers and enlisted personnel and shall also keep in the office all records
and papers required by law or regulations to be filed therein. The Adjutant General is
charged, in all matters pertaining to the command, discipline or administration of the
military establishment of this state, with the duty of recording, authenticating and communicating to troops and individuals in the military service of this state all orders, instructions and regulations issued by order of the Governor for the National Guard, naval
militia and organized militia and by the Secretary of Defense for the National Guard
and the naval militia; of preparing and distributing commissions; of compiling and issuing the register of the National Guard, naval militia and organized militia; of conducting
internal audits and investigations; of organizing and coordinating the participation of
the organized militia in military and civic ceremonies; of organizing and coordinating
inaugurals; and of managing the recruiting for the National Guard, naval militia and
organized militia. In event of emergency use of the militia and with the approval of the
Governor, the Adjutant General may be disbursing officer of all funds appropriated by
the General Assembly for the expense of the office of the Adjutant General. The Adjutant
General may make such regulations pertaining to the preparation and rendering of reports and returns and to the care and preservation of public property as in the Adjutant
General's opinion the conditions demand, such regulations to be operative and in force
when promulgated in the form of general orders, circulars or circular letters. The Adjutant General shall have charge and care of all state military property and all United
States military property issued to the state of Connecticut, and shall cause to be kept an
accurate and careful account of all receipts and issues of the same. The Adjutant General
shall require to be kept a careful memorandum of all public military property on hand
in the state arsenal or storehouses and in the possession of the several organizations of
the military forces of the state and shall guard such property against injury and loss to
the greatest extent possible. The Adjutant General shall require each accountable and
responsible officer of the state military forces to account for any deficiency in public
military property in such officer's possession immediately after such deficiency is discovered. The Adjutant General shall cause annual inspections to be made of all public
military property and a complete inventory of such property and the places where it is
deposited shall be kept. The Adjutant General may adopt a seal for use in the office of
the Adjutant General. The Adjutant General shall require that each unit of the armed
forces of the state be inspected at least twice in each calendar year and issue service
medals and service records. The Adjutant General shall, annually, as provided in section
4-60, make a report to the Governor of the strength, condition and equipment of the
military and naval forces of the state and of the expenditures of the office since the last
annual report. The Adjutant General may enter into contracts for the furnishing by any
person or agency, public or private, of services necessary to the proper execution of the
duties of the Adjutant General's office subject to the approval of the Attorney General.
(1949 Rev., S. 1236; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 11; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; P.A. 74-321, S. 5; P.A. 75-333, S. 1; P.A.
77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 88-1, S. 9, 13; P.A. 99-190, S. 4, 9; P.A. 01-123, S. 3; P.A. 04-219, S. 11.)
History: P.A. 74-321 substituted "personnel" for "men"; P.A. 75-333 provided for necessary contracting authority
subject to approval of commissioner of finance and control and the attorney general; P.A. 77-614 substituted "secretary
of the office of policy and management" for "commissioner of finance and control"; P.A. 88-1 eliminated involvement of
secretary of the office of policy and management in approval of contracts for services entered into by the adjutant general;
P.A. 99-190 added responsibility for the Office of Emergency Management to the duties of the Adjutant General, effective
July 1, 1999; P.A. 01-123 added duties re internal audits and investigations, civic ceremonies and inaugurals, and made
technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 04-219 eliminated provision requiring Adjutant General to have
charge of the Office of Emergency Management, effective January 1, 2005.
Sec. 27-21. Supply of arms and equipment. The Adjutant General is directed to
issue to the organized militia such arms, equipment, ammunition and uniforms as the
commanding officer of each company may make requisition for, provided such requisition shall be approved by the Governor; and the cost of such supplies shall be paid by
the Comptroller.
(1949 Rev., S. 1321; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 12.)
Sec. 27-22. Coordination of military and naval services. The Adjutant General,
with the assistance of the commander of the naval militia, shall, when not inconsistent
with the laws and regulations governing the United States Army or the United States
Navy, coordinate the respective services in all respects including communications, intelligence and logistics to maintain efficiency and economy in the military and naval establishments of the state. The commander of the naval militia shall appoint an officer of
the naval militia who shall devote full time to active duty with the naval militia and
who, under the direction of the commander of the naval militia, shall serve with the
office of the Adjutant General in the administration of naval affairs.
(1949 Rev., S. 1252; 1951, S. 858d.)
Sec. 27-23. Exercise of powers relating to naval militia. All powers vested in
the Adjutant General concerning the naval militia, and all orders issued by him pursuant
thereto, shall be exercised and transmitted through the commander of the naval militia.
(1949 Rev., S. 1248.)
Sec. 27-24. Assistant adjutants general for Connecticut Army National Guard
and Air National Guard. Designation of administrative assistant and deputy to
Adjutant General and deputy chief of staff to Governor. (a) The Adjutant General
shall appoint an assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Army National Guard,
who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Adjutant General. He shall hold the rank of
brigadier general and shall be a member of the Governor's military staff during his
incumbency of the office, and shall have had at least five years of commissioned service
in the Connecticut Army National Guard or the armies of the United States or a total of
five years in both services.
(b) The Adjutant General shall appoint an assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Air National Guard, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Adjutant General.
He shall hold the rank of brigadier general and shall be a member of the Governor's
military staff during his incumbency of the office. He shall have had at least five years
of commissioned service in the Connecticut Air National Guard or the air forces of the
United States or a total of at least five years in both services.
(c) The Adjutant General shall designate either the assistant adjutant general for
the Connecticut Army National Guard or the assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Air National Guard to serve as administrative assistant and deputy to the Adjutant
General and as deputy chief of staff to the Governor. Such assistant adjutant general (1)
shall perform all of the duties of the Adjutant General in his absence, during his inability
or by his direction and (2) shall devote all of his time, during the office hours of the
department, to the duties of his office. The assistant adjutant general not so designated
shall perform such duties, consistent with his grade and position, as the Adjutant General
shall direct.
(d) No person shall be appointed to the office of, or continue to serve as, assistant
adjutant general upon attaining the age of sixty-four years.
(1949 Rev., S. 1237; 1951, S. 851d; P.A. 92-142, S. 2, 4.)
History: P.A. 92-142 designated existing section as Subsec. (a), amended Subsec. (a) to require that appointment of
assistant adjutant general be "for the Connecticut Army National Guard" and to delete provisions incorporated in new
language elsewhere in the section, added Subsec. (b) re appointment of assistant adjutant general for the Connecticut Air
National Guard, added Subsec. (c) requiring adjutant general to designate either such assistant to serve as assistant and
deputy to adjutant general and deputy chief of staff to governor, and added Subsec. (d) applying age restriction to both
assistant adjutants general.
Sec. 27-25. Property and procurement officer. The Adjutant General shall appoint a property and procurement officer who shall be the assistant of the Adjutant
General in the care of all military property and who shall hold office at the pleasure of
the Adjutant General. He shall devote all of his time, during the office hours of the
department, to the duties of his office.
(1949 Rev., S. 1239; 1949, S. 853d.)
Sec. 27-26. Commander of naval militia. The Governor, as commander-in-chief
of the armed forces of the state, shall appoint as commander of the naval militia a
qualified resident of the state, who holds a commission as a reserve or retired officer of
the United States Navy or of the United States Coast Guard of at least the rank of
lieutenant commander and who has served on active duty with the United States Navy
or the United States Coast Guard and who has during such active duty served for not
less than one year aboard a ship at sea. He shall hold office, subject to the pleasure of
the Governor, provided he is under sixty-two years of age.
(1949 Rev., S. 1247; 1951, S. 856d; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 13.)
Sec. 27-27. Commander's staff. The commander of the naval militia shall appoint
the members of his staff, which shall be organized as required by the laws and regulations
of the United States relating to the naval militia.
(1949 Rev., S. 1249; 1951, S. 857d; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 14.)
Sec. 27-28. Surgeon General. The senior medical officer of the National Guard
shall be the Surgeon General. He shall advise the Adjutant General in all matters pertaining to the health of the members of the armed forces of the state. He shall recommend
for appointment post surgeons to serve the armed forces of the state. He shall review
physical examinations of officers and enlisted personnel when any question exists as
to their physical qualifications and render his recommendations to the Adjutant General.
His compensation for such services shall be five hundred dollars per year.
(1957, P.A. 365, S. 15.)
Sec. 27-29. Post surgeons. The Adjutant General shall appoint post surgeons, removable at pleasure, to determine exemptions from military duty for physical and mental
disabilities as prescribed in general orders; and officers of the medical department of the
National Guard and organized militia shall be appointed for such duty in their respective
towns.
(1949 Rev., S. 1240.)
Sec. 27-30. United States property and disbursing officer. Section 27-30 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 3592; 1959, P.A. 267.)
Sec. 27-31. Employees. The Adjutant General shall appoint such number of employees, subject to the provisions of chapter 67 and section 4-40, as may be required to
perform adequately the duties required of the department. Employees in the Military
Department, not in the classified service, shall serve during the pleasure of the Adjutant
General and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them.
(1949 Rev., S. 1241; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 16.)
Sec. 27-32. Audit of office and accounts. The office and accounts of the Adjutant
General pertaining to this state shall be audited in the same manner as the office and
accounts of other state agencies.
(June, 1955, S. 854d.)
See Sec. 2-90 re duties of Auditors of Public Accounts.
PART III
OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
Sec. 27-33. Leave from employment to attend drills, parades and encampments. The armed forces of the state may assemble for drill, escort duty or any special
service as ordered by the Governor and shall participate in encampments, maneuvers
or other exercises, including outdoor target practice, as may be required by the laws and
regulations of the United States relating to the National Guard or naval militia or as may
be ordered by the Governor. Each officer and employee of the state who is a member
of the armed forces of the state or of any reserve component of the armed forces of the
United States shall be entitled to absent himself from his duties or service while engaged
in the performance of regularly ordered military or naval duty. No such officer or employee shall be subjected by any person, directly or indirectly, by reason of such absence,
to any loss or reduction of vacation or holiday privileges or be prejudiced by reason of
such absence with reference to promotion or continuance in office or employment or
to reappointment to office or to reemployment. While engaged in the performance of
regularly ordered military or naval service, each officer or employee who is a bona fide
member of the National Guard, naval militia, reserve corps or organized militia shall
receive his salary or compensation as such officer or employee, provided the period of
absence in any calendar year shall not exceed thirty days.
(1949 Rev., S. 1262; 1951, S. 860d; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 17.)
See Sec. 5-259d re leave of absence for state employees called to active service in the armed forces for Operation
Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle or related operations.
Sec. 27-33a. Leave from employment to attend military reserve or National
Guard duty. The employer of any employee who, as a part of such employee's military
service, is required to attend military reserve or National Guard meetings or drills during
regular working hours shall allow such employee leave of absence for such purpose.
No such employee shall be subjected by any person, directly or indirectly, to any loss
or reduction of vacation or holiday privileges by reason of such absence, or be prejudiced
by reason of such absence with reference to promotion or continuance in office or employment, or to reappointment to office or reemployment.
(1961, P.A. 583; P.A. 99-139, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 99-139 prohibited any impact on vacation privileges or on promotion or continuance in employment by
reason of absences due to military service.
Sec. 27-34. National Guard. Contingency provisions in event of federal withdrawal. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the National Guard in this state shall be
governed by the laws, rules and regulations of the United States for governing the National Guard, provided the National Guard in this state shall receive aid and support
from the United States and, if such aid or support is withdrawn or if the Congress of the
United States repeals all legislation relating to the National Guard, leaving to this state
the duty to provide for and maintain, without federal aid or control, its own military
forces, then the National Guard of this state shall be organized, trained, disciplined and
governed, its officers appointed, commissioned and promoted and its enlisted personnel
enlisted and discharged in such manner as may be prescribed by the Adjutant General
in regulations and general orders approved by the Governor, until the General Assembly
makes provision therefor.
(1949 Rev., S. 1263; P.A. 74-321, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 74-321 substituted "personnel" for "men".
Sec. 27-35. Use of rifle ranges on Sunday. The rifle ranges under control of the
Military Department of the state and those of rifle or gun clubs or of members of rifle
or gun clubs who are affiliated with the National Rifle Association of America, which
are conducted under rules prescribed by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle
Practice, may be used on Sunday for the purpose of practicing rifle and shot gun shooting,
and the members of such clubs and the organized military forces of the state may carry
rifles, rifled firearms and shot guns, with ammunition, to and from such ranges on
said day.
(1949 Rev., S. 1307; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 18.)
Sec. 27-36. Use of rifle ranges by civilian organizations. Civilian rifle clubs affiliated with the National Rifle Association of the United States may be permitted to use
the outdoor and indoor rifle ranges belonging to, or under the control of, the state for
practice with small arms in accordance with such regulations as the Adjutant General
may prescribe, provided such use of any rifle range shall at no time interfere with the
instruction or practice of members of the armed forces of the state.
(1949 Rev., S. 1308; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 19.)
Sec. 27-37. Interstate compacts for mutual military aid. (a) (1) With the prior
or subsequent consent of the Congress of the United States, the Governor is authorized
to enter into, amend, supplement and implement agreements or compacts with the executive authorities of other states providing for mutual military aid, and matters incidental
thereto, in case of invasion or other hostile action, disaster, insurrection or imminent
danger thereof. (2) Such agreements or compacts may include but shall not be limited
to provisions for joint military action against a common enemy; for the protection of
bridges, tunnels, ferries, pipelines, communication facilities and other vital installations,
plants and facilities; for the military support of civil defense agencies; for the fresh
pursuit, by the organized militia or military forces or any part thereof of a signatory,
into the jurisdiction of any other signatory, of persons acting or appearing to act in
the interest of an enemy government or seeking or appearing to seek to overthrow the
government of the United States or of any signatory; for the powers, duties, rights,
privileges and immunities of the members of the organized militia or military forces of
any signatory while so engaged outside their own jurisdiction; for such other matters
as are of a military nature, or incidental thereto, and which the Governor deems necessary
or proper to promote the health, safety and welfare of the people of this state; for the
allocation of all costs and expenses arising from the planning and operation of such
agreements or compacts.
(b) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed or interpreted as expressing
a limitation, directly or indirectly, of the power of the governor to enter into, and to amend
or supplement, such compacts, with legal force and effect and without the legislative
authorization expressed herein.
(1953, S. 877d.)
Sec. 27-38. Form of compact. The form of such compact shall be as follows:
AN INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR MUTUAL
MILITARY AID IN AN EMERGENCY
ARTICLE I
1. The purposes of this compact are:
a. To provide for mutual military aid and assistance in an emergency by the military
forces of a signatory state to the military forces of the other signatory states, or of the
United States, including among other military missions, the protection of interstate
bridges, tunnels, ferries, pipelines, communications facilities and other vital installations, plants and facilities; and the military support of civil defense agencies;
b. To provide for the fresh pursuit in case of an emergency, by the military forces
or any part or member thereof of a signatory state into another state, of insurrectionists,
saboteurs, enemies or enemy forces or persons seeking or appearing to seek to overthrow
the government of the United States or of a signatory state;
c. To make provisions for the powers, duties, rights, privileges and immunities of
the members of the military forces of a signatory state while so engaged outside of their
own state.
2. a. "Emergency" as used in this compact shall mean and include invasion or other
hostile action, disaster, insurrection or imminent danger thereof.
b. "State" as used in this compact shall include any signatory state.
c. "Military forces" as used in this compact shall include the organized militia, or
any force thereof, of a signatory state.
ARTICLE II
This compact shall become effective as to the signatory states when the legislatures
thereof have approved it and when the Congress has given its consent either before or
after the date hereof. Any state not a party to this compact at the date hereof may become
a party hereto.
ARTICLE III
The Governor of each signatory state or his designated military representative shall
constitute the Committee for Mutual Military Aid for the signatory states. It shall be the
duty of the Committee for Mutual Military Aid to make joint plans for the employment of
the military forces of the signatory states for mutual military aid and assistance in case
of emergency.
ARTICLE IV
1. It shall be the duty of each signatory state to integrate its plan for the employment
of its military forces in case of emergency with the joint plans recommended by the
Committee for Mutual Military Aid and with the emergency plans of the armed forces
of the United States.
2. In case of emergency, upon the request of the Governor of a signatory state, the
Governor of each signatory state, to the extent consistent with the needs of his own
state, shall order its military forces or such part thereof as he, in his discretion, may find
necessary, to assist the military forces of the requesting state in order to carry out the
purposes set forth in this compact. In such case, it shall be the duty of the Governor of
each signatory state receiving such a request to issue the necessary orders for such
use of the military forces of his state without the borders of his state and to direct the
commander of such forces to place them under the operational control of the commander
of the forces of the requesting state or of the United States which may be engaged in
meeting the emergency.
3. The Governor of any signatory state, in his discretion, may recall the military
forces of his state serving without its borders or any part or any member of such forces.
ARTICLE V
In case of an emergency, any unit or member of the military forces of a signatory
state which has been ordered into active service by the Governor may upon order of the
officer in immediate command thereof continue beyond the borders of his own state
into another signatory state in fresh pursuit of insurrectionists, saboteurs, enemies or
enemy forces or persons seeking or appearing to seek to overthrow the government of
the United States or of any one of the signatory states, until they are apprehended by
such unit or member. Any such person who shall be apprehended or captured in a signatory state by a unit or member of the military forces of another signatory state shall
without unnecessary delay be surrendered to the military or police forces of the state in
which he is taken or to the forces of the United States. Such surrender shall not constitute
a waiver by the state of the military forces making the capture, of its right to extradite
or prosecute such persons for any crime committed in that state.
ARTICLE VI
1. Whenever the military forces or any part thereof of any signatory state are engaged outside of their own state in carrying out the purposes of this compact, the individual members of such military forces so engaged shall not be liable, civilly or criminally,
for any act or acts done by them in the performance of their duty.
2. The individual members of such forces shall have the same powers, duties, rights,
privileges and immunities as the members of the military forces of the state in which
they are engaged, but in any event,
3. Each signatory state shall save harmless any member of its military forces wherever serving and any member of the military forces of any other signatory state serving
within its borders for any act or acts done by them in the performance of their duty while
engaged in carrying out the purposes of this compact.
ARTICLE VII
1. Each signatory state shall provide, in the same amounts and manner as if they
were on duty within their own state, for the pay and allowances of the personnel of its
military forces, and for the medical and hospital expenses, disability and death benefits,
pensions and funeral expenses of wounded, injured or sick personnel and of dependents
or representatives of deceased personnel of its military forces, in case such personnel
shall suffer wounds, injuries, disease, disability or death while engaged without the state
pursuant to this compact and while going to and returning from such other signatory
state. Each signatory state shall provide in the same amounts and manner as if they were
on duty within their own state for the logistical support and for other costs and expenses
of its military forces while engaged without the state pursuant to this compact and while
going to and returning from such other signatory state.
2. Any signatory state rendering outside aid in case of insurrection or disaster not
the result of invasion or hostile action, shall, if it so elects, be reimbursed by the signatory
state receiving such aid for the pay and allowances of its personnel, logistical support
and all other costs and expenses referred to in Section 1 of this Article and incurred in
connection with the request for aid. Such election shall be exercised by the Governor
of the aiding state presenting to the Governor of the requesting state.
ARTICLE VIII
Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or restrict the power of any signatory state in case of an emergency affecting that state only, to provide for the internal
defense of any part of the territory of said state or for the protection and control of any
bridge, tunnel, ferry, installation, plant or facility or any part thereof within the borders
of such state or to prohibit the enforcement of any laws, rules and regulations or the
execution of any plan with regard thereto.
ARTICLE IX
This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each signatory state until
the legislature or the Governor of such state gives notice of withdrawal therefrom. Such
notice of withdrawal shall not be effective until six months after said notice has been
given to the Governor of each of the other signatory states.
(1953, S. 878d; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 53, 121.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 amended paragraph 3 of Article VI by inserting "signatory state serving within its
borders for any act or acts done by them in", effective June 24, 1998.
PART IV
PROPERTY, UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT
Sec. 27-39. Care and control of military property. Rental of armories. Use of
armories without charge. (a) The Adjutant General is charged with the responsibility
for the use and maintenance of all armories, rifle ranges, reservations and other military
property under the provisions for such use imposed by the statutes. Each armory shall
be under the charge of a commissioned officer, designated by the Adjutant General, and
may be rented by him as herein prescribed. Each application for the rental of an armory
shall be made to the officer in charge of such armory, who shall forward such application,
with recommendations, to the Adjutant General, who shall approve or disapprove such
application and so advise the applicant through such armory officer. Proceeds from the
rental of armories shall be paid to the Adjutant General and shall be by him paid promptly
into the Treasury of the state. The Adjutant General shall, in state armories where space
is available, assign quarters to camps and posts of war veterans for their joint uses,
subject to the regulations concerning armories. Such quarters shall be provided for in
any new armory which may be built. Units of the armed forces of the state and veteran
organizations quartered in armories, or entitled by law to quarters, shall be allowed the
use of the drill shed and such other portions of the building as are usually included when
armories are leased, upon proper application through regular channels and subject to
the following conditions and terms: When no admissions are charged, rental shall be
free up to midnight on the regular meeting night of the organization making application.
If the use of the armory is required after midnight, the regular military rental shall be
charged. At all other times and for entertainments when admissions are charged, the
military rental shall be charged units of the armed forces of the state or veteran organizations quartered in or entitled by law to quarters in an armory. Nothing in this chapter
shall be construed as allowing the rental of any armory on the drill night of any active
military organization stationed in the armory or the use of any armory at a reduced rental
by any veteran organization for the purpose of conducting any athletic contest or other
entertainment for which full nonmilitary rental is charged military organizations. In no
case shall any veteran organization be allowed use of any armory for the purpose of
subleasing.
(b) Agricultural and other associations that receive state aid shall be allowed the
use of state armories for exhibition purposes at a cost not exceeding the actual maintenance cost of such armories during the period of such use. Applications for such use
shall be made to the Adjutant General through the officer in charge of the armory desired
to be used. In all cases when admission is charged, a certificate of insurance, approved
by the Adjutant General, indemnifying the state against injuries to person and damage
to property shall be furnished, the cost of the certificate to be in addition to the rental
or maintenance charge. The Adjutant General may allow the use of any state armory,
without charge for rental, by (1) any public or private nonprofit elementary or secondary
school or any regional community-technical college for purposes of athletic events with
respect to which no admission is charged and (2) the American National Red Cross for
purposes of blood supply programs, provided any such use does not conflict with the
use of such armory for military purposes.
(1949 Rev., S. 1265; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 38; P.A. 81-270; P.A. 87-185; P.A. 89-260, S. 37, 41; P.A. 92-126, S. 30, 48.)
History: P.A. 81-270 divided the section into subsections and added provision allowing the use of state armories without
rental for school or community college athletic events and Red Cross blood programs; P.A. 87-185 amended Subsec. (b),
requiring the furnishing of a certificate of insurance, in lieu of a surety bond, in cases when admission is charged; P.A.
89-260 in Subsec. (b) deleted reference to state system of community colleges; P.A. 92-126 amended Subsec. (b) to change
the reference to community college to community-technical college.
Sec. 27-40. Space in armories for use of naval militia. The Adjutant General
shall, at the request of the commander of the naval militia, designate suitable space in
any armory of the state in which space is requested for the use and shore training of
units of the naval militia.
(1949 Rev., S. 1251.)
Sec. 27-41. Accountability for military property. The commanding officer of
each organization of the organized militia or National Guard or naval militia to whom
ordnance, quartermaster and other stores are issued shall be accountable or responsible
therefor and such property shall remain in the armory of that organization except when
in use in discharge of military duty or when otherwise ordered by the Governor. A
suitable armory shall be selected for the deposit of such property, and no property shall
be issued until the bonds required have been executed and approved as provided by law.
(1949 Rev., S. 1266.)
Sec. 27-42. Loss and misuse of military property. Section 27-42 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 1267; 1967, P.A. 717, S. 136.)
See Sec. 27-246.
Sec. 27-43. Injury and destruction of military property. Any person who wilfully or wantonly injures or destroys any uniform, arm, equipment or other military
property of the state or the United States and refuses to make good such injury or loss,
or who sells or disposes of the same or secretes or retains or removes the same, with intent
to sell or dispose of it, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not
more than six months or both.
(1949 Rev., S. 1268.)
Sec. 27-44. Improper receipt of military property. Any person who knowingly
purchases or receives in pawn or pledge any arm, equipment or article of military clothing or any commissary, quartermaster or ordnance stores, the property of the state of
Connecticut or of the United States, shall be fined not more than three hundred dollars
or imprisoned not more than one year or both.
(1949 Rev., S. 1269.)
Sec. 27-45. Purchase and construction of armories. In towns in which one or
more military companies are located, suitable armories for the use of such companies
may be built or purchased by the state in accordance with the military needs and as
recommended by the Adjutant General from time to time. The Adjutant General shall
prepare and submit to the General Assembly an armory construction or purchase program which shall be considered the policy of the state and shall be the basis for establishing priority in the appropriation of state money for new construction or the purchase of
armories, buildings or land for military purposes, and a copy of such report shall be
furnished to the Commissioner of Public Works and the State Properties Review Board.
The armory construction program shall be submitted to the Governor on or before the
first day of January in the odd-numbered years. A copy of such report shall be submitted
to the appropriate committees of the General Assembly for their information. All contracts for buildings or purchasing shall be made by the Commissioner of Public Works,
who shall have power to purchase land and build armories subject to the provisions of
section 4b-23. The Comptroller shall draw his order on the Treasurer for such sums as
are necessary to pay bills contracted by said commissioner for the purposes aforesaid,
within the limits of the appropriations made; and the state is authorized to take any land
said commissioner deems necessary for the purpose of locating permanent armories, as
provided in section 48-12.
(1949 Rev., S. 1309; March, 1950, S. 874d; P.A. 75-425, S. 42, 57; P.A. 77-614, S. 73, 610; P.A. 87-496, S. 96, 110.)
History: P.A. 75-425 added provision for copy of report to be furnished to the state properties review board and added
reference to Sec. 4-26b; P.A. 77-614 replaced public works commissioner with commissioner of administrative services;
P.A. 87-496 substituted "public works" for "administrative services" commissioner.
Cited. 124 C. 32.
Sec. 27-46. Federal grants for armories and military facilities. The Governor
is authorized (a) to apply for and receive grants or any other benefits from the United
States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof for the purpose of construction, repair or alteration of armories or military facilities; (b) to instruct the Treasurer
and Adjutant General, on behalf of the state, to enter into a lease with the United States
of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof covering such real or personal
property of the state and for such period of years as said United States of America or
such agency or instrumentality thereof may require as a condition precedent to the giving
of such grants and benefits; (c) to do and to authorize to be done every act and thing
necessary to meet the requirements of and to obtain any and all grants, grants-in-aid
and other benefits made available by the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof.
(1949 Rev., S. 1310; September, 1957, P.A. 7, S. 1.)
Sec. 27-46a. Use of proceeds from sale of armories. Section 27-46a is repealed
and any balance remaining in the fund created under said section on July 1, 1975 shall
be transferred to the General Fund.
(1967, P.A. 658; P.A. 75-475, S. 1, 3.)
Sec. 27-46b. Transfer of proceeds from sale of armories. The proceeds derived
from the sale of armories constructed under section 27-45 or 27-46 shall be credited to
the General Fund.
(P.A. 75-475, S. 2, 3.)
Sec. 27-47. Allowance for uniforms and equipment. Each commissioned and
warrant officer of the organized militia of the state shall provide himself with a complete
uniform and equipment as provided by regulation. When so equipped, such officer shall
receive an initial allowance of one hundred dollars in payment for such uniform and
equipment. Each active commissioned or warrant officer of the organized militia of the
state, so uniformed and equipped, who has received one such initial allowance shall
receive each second fiscal year thereafter an allowance of fifty dollars.
(1949 Rev., S. 1270, 1278; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 39; 1959, P.A. 443; February, 1965, P.A. 333, S. 1.)
History: 1959 act made periodic allowance payable biennially instead of annually; 1965 act substituted "organized
militia" for "armed forces" where appearing.
Sec. 27-48. Payment for uniforms of National Guard and naval militia officers
inducted into United States services. Section 27-48 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 1272; February, 1965, P.A. 371, S. 1.)
PART V
PERSONNEL AND PRIVILEGES
Sec. 27-49. Appointment of commissioned officers. Officers of the National
Guard and naval militia shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to the procedure
prescribed in regulations of the Department of Defense relating to the National Guard
and naval militia. The rule of seniority shall be followed when practicable. Only such
officers shall be commissioned in the National Guard and naval militia as have successfully passed the tests and examinations as to physical, moral and professional fitness
prescribed by the laws and regulations of the United States relating to the qualifications
of National Guard or naval militia officers. Officers of the organized militia, as provided
for in section 27-2, shall be appointed in accordance with regulations approved by the
Governor.
(1949 Rev., S. 1254; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 20.)
Governor need not style himself as such in signing commission but may sign in his military capacity. 17 C. 570.
Commission accepted by the general assembly is proof of official character. Id. 91 C. 440.
Sec. 27-50. Rank of members of naval militia. No member of the naval militia
shall hold a higher rank or rating in the naval militia than the highest rank or rating held
by him in the United States Navy or United States Coast Guard, whether regular, retired
or reserve.
(1949 Rev., S. 1250.)
Sec. 27-51. Staff officers: Military training required; term of service. No staff
officer of the armed forces of the state, including any officer of the pay, inspection,
subsistence and medical departments, shall be appointed unless such officer has had
previous military experience, and any such staff officer other than a medical officer of
the State Guard shall hold office until he has reached the age of sixty-four years, unless
retired prior to that time by reason of resignation or disability or for cause to be determined by a court-martial legally convened for that purpose or, for officers of the National
Guard or naval militia, for any other reason specified by laws or regulations of the United
States pertaining thereto. Medical officers of the State Guard may be appointed and
may serve after reaching sixty-four years of age.
(1949 Rev., S. 1258; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 21; P.A. 80-101.)
History: P.A. 80-101 excepted medical officers from age limitations.
Sec. 27-52. Discharge of commissioned officers. At any time the moral character,
or capacity or general fitness for service, of any officer of the armed forces of the state
may be determined by an efficiency board, consisting of three commissioned officers,
senior in rank to the officer whose fitness for service is under investigation, and, if the
findings of such board are unfavorable to such officer and are approved by the Governor,
he shall be discharged. Commissions of officers may be vacated upon resignation, upon
absence without leave for three months, upon the recommendation of an efficiency
board or pursuant to sentence of a court-martial or, for officers of the National Guard
and naval militia, for any other reason specified by laws or regulations of the United
States pertaining thereto.
(1949 Rev., S. 1255; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 22.)
Sec. 27-53. Retirement of officers. When an officer or warrant officer of the armed
forces of the state or the Governor's military staff, whose service has been honorable,
has served ten years as officer or enlisted person, active or inactive or reserve, in any
or all of which he or she has served not less than three years as a commissioned officer
or warrant officer, he or she may, if he or she makes application therefor to the Adjutant
General through proper officers if he or she still is in service, be retired from active
service and placed upon the retired list. Such retirement shall be in the highest grade in
which he or she has served. When such service equals or exceeds twenty years, he or
she may, upon his or her application to the Adjutant General, through proper officers
if he or she still is in service, be commissioned at the next higher grade than the highest
grade at which he or she may have been commissioned at any time, either in the armed
forces of the state or the Governor's military staff or the military or naval forces of the
United States, which higher grade shall not be above the grade of a general, and shall
thereafter be placed upon the retired list with such grade. In determining such term of
service of twenty years, there may be added to any term of not less than ten years' service
in the armed forces of the state or the Governor's military staff the term of service
with the military or naval forces of the United States, either active, inactive or reserve.
Retirement shall be obligatory for all officers and warrant officers reaching the age of
sixty-four years or as required for officers and warrant officers of the National Guard
and naval militia by laws and regulations pertaining thereto.
(1949 Rev., S. 1256; 1949, S. 859d; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 23; P.A. 74-321, S. 7.)
History: P.A. 74-321 substituted "person" for "man" and added "or she" wherever "he" appears.
To whom provisions may apply. 12 CS 21.
Sec. 27-54. Status of retired officers. Officers on the retired list shall serve thereon
without pay; shall be withdrawn from command and from line of promotion and shall
continue to be borne on the register of the armed forces of the state, and shall be entitled
to wear, within the limitations prescribed by the laws and regulations of the United
States, the uniform of the rank on which they have been retired. They shall, at all times,
be subject to the rules and regulations governing the armed forces of the state. They
may, with their consent, be detailed from the retired list and placed upon active duty at
any time when ordered by the Governor and, when on such duty, shall be entitled to the
pay and allowances of officers of a similar grade on the active list.
(1949 Rev., S. 1257; 1957, P.A. 365, S. 24.)
See note to Sec. 27-53.