The department is responsible for providing management oversight and administrative support to the Florida National Guard.

When activated by the state of Florida, the Army National Guard is tasked with emergency relief support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires; search and rescue operations; support to civil defense authorities; maintenance of vital public services, and counterdrug operations.

[3] The Florida Air National Guard has a dual federal and state mission.

When in federal service, it acts as a reserve component of the United States Air Force.

The Governor of Florida is permitted, under Florida law, to organize a naval militia and a marine corps in accordance with federal law governing the Naval Militia or Marine Corps of the United States and regulations issued by the Secretary of the Navy.