California State Guard Commanding General 

Major General Jay M. Coggan
Commanding General
California State Guard

In addition to serving as the Commanding General of the California State Guard, Major General (CA) Jay M. Coggan currently serves as the Chief Counsel – Cyber Operations for the California Military Department. In this capacity, he is responsible for legal issues in the realm of cyber defense for the California National Guard’s mission of defense support of civil authorities, and the protection of California’s critical infrastructure.

Prior to taking command of the California State Guard, Major General Coggan was the Commander of the State Guard’s Legal Support Command. As a designated subject matter expert by the California National Guard and National Guard Bureau regarding the (SCRA) Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and issues affecting deploying service members, he regularly briefed and trained Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers of all service branches, both in California and around the country.

Major General Coggan has been on State Active Duty since 2011, and other previous assignments included Staff Judge Advocate for Youth & Community Programs Task Force, and Command Judge Advocate for Camp San Luis Obispo.

Major General Coggan grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Connecticut, but left school in 1967 and enlisted in the United States Navy. Major General Coggan was trained as a combat air crewman, and during his service he was deployed with Navy Patrol Squadron One for three tours to Vietnam.

After returning from active service, Major General Coggan completed his college education in Connecticut, and then moved to California to attend law school.

He has been practicing law since 1979, and has been licensed in California, New York, and the District of Columbia. He is further admitted to practice before numerous United States District Courts in California, New York, Michigan, and Colorado and several Circuit Courts. The primary emphasis of his legal practice was business litigation with a focus in the areas of intellectual property and technology. 

Major General Coggan’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, United States Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (w/bronze star), Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action First Class Palm Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (w/two bronze stars), Vietnam Campaign Medal, California Legion of Merit, California Medal of Merit (w/two oak leaf clusters), California Commendation Medal, California Achievement Medal, California Service Medal, and the California State Service Ribbon.