The CSG is a reserve force that supports the state missions and federal readiness of the Army and Air National Guard.

Employers are required to comply with these laws when service members are called to Emergency State Active Duty (ESAD).

CSG service members are held to the same regulations and training requirements for promotion as their National Guard counterparts.

They are given monthly homework and E-Learning tasks to strengthen their knowledge and train how to interact with the chain of command.

Members with civilian qualifications that meet or exceed standards for a particular MOS are used as Subject Matter Experts (SME) to train their Army/Air Guard counterparts.

They now wear OCP uniforms with silver-on-black name and branch tapes, while retaining their USN-style rank insignia.

The unit was designed to protect critical infrastructure, military installations, government buildings, and assist civil authorities during times of emergency.

Most Team Shield personnel were reassigned under the California Army National Guard's 49th Military Police Brigade upon the decommissioning of the unit.

[21] The SAR Platoon was dissolved in early 2024 following a change in the commander's intent to focus solely on firefighting.

In 2022 the unit received five Cal OES Type 6 Fire Engines forming an engine strike package, however these were later relinquished back to Cal OES by the order of Adjutant General Matthew P. Beevers, who wanted the unit to remain focused on hand crew duties and search and rescue.

The JMC had the responsibility of overseeing CSG medical personnel as they perform their mission of keeping California's military and citizens healthy.

JAG's typically work at National Guard armories or installation legal offices throughout the state.

CSG service members were previously authorized the same uniforms as their federal counterparts (Army, Air Force, Navy) with state insignia.

A yearly $125 uniform allowance is authorized for all service members who maintain 100% drill attendance in a twelve-month period.

On occasion CSG have been awarded skill badges from other state defense forces, like jump schools, or cyber and drivers course.

2019: CSG service members were activated to assist with evacuations and rescue operations during high water levels at the Russian River in Guerneville.

CSG service members were instrumental in emergency management operations after the Ridgecrest earthquake in July 2019.

2018: CSG service members were activated to assist with evacuations during the Camp Fire in Butte County in 2018.

The CSG had a vital role in the 2008 "Operation Lightning Strike," when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger activated over 2,000 troops to help firefighters.