New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs


The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a governmental department of the state of New Jersey. It is composed of the New Jersey Army National Guard as well as the New Jersey Air National Guard. They are administered by the Adjutant General and staff which oversees the activities of the two. This includes the Disasters and Emergency Services Division and Veterans Affairs Division. The department is the official channel of communication between the federal government and the New Jersey state government on military matters.
The New Jersey State Guard, along with the New Jersey Army National Guard and the New Jersey Naval Militia, is also recognized as a component of the organized militia of New Jersey. The State Guard was last active during World War II.

Overview

In case of a state or national emergency, there is a joint federal-state program put in place for the Governor and the President respectively. This program keeps military organizations equipped, trained, and ready to counter such situations. They also cooperate with and manage state and federal agencies in order to provide services for discharged veterans and their families.

New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Leadership
Brigadier General Jemal J. Beale
Beale was appointed as The Adjutant General of New Jersey on April 2, 2018. He is currently in command of approximately 8,400 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard.
Colonel Mark A. Piterski serves as the Deputy Adjutant General for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Assistant Adjutant General - Army for the New Jersey Army National Guard. He is the principal advisor to The Adjutant General on all matters concerning military readiness, mobilizations, homeland security, defense support to civil authorities, human resources, logistics, training and financial management, as well as the supervision and management of the Department's 3,200 full-time State and Federal employees, and 286 facilities and properties.
Dr. Lisa Hou
Appointed in February 2018, as Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs. Hou administers the Division of Veterans Healthcare Services, Division of Veterans Programs, and the Division of Veterans Services.