Who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Arizona National Guard?

The Governor of Arizona serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Arizona National Guard. This position is part of the responsibilities assigned to the office of the Governor, who has the authority to command and oversee the state's military forces. The Governor plays a crucial role in state defense and can mobilize the National Guard for state emergencies, natural disasters, or other situations requiring state intervention.

Understanding the roles of various offices helps clarify why the Governor, and not the Lieutenant Governor or the state Legislature, has this power. The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of the entire U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard when it is federally mobilized, but on the state level, individual governors hold command over their state's National Guard units. Thus, the Governor's authority in this context reinforces the importance of state-level leadership in managing military resources within their jurisdiction.