AUSTIN (August 13, 2012)-More than 2,200 men and women will be under the command of Brig. Gen. Manuel Rodriguez beginning Saturday.

At 10 a.m. Saturday at Camp Mabry in Austin, Maj. Gen. Raymond Peters will transfer command of the Texas State Guard to Rodriguez.

Peters, who has commanded the state guard since July 2009, is retiring after 40 years of service to the nation and the state.

According to the official Texas State Guard website, Rodriguez joined the state guard in March 2006, serving first as commander of the 2nd Civil Affairs Regiment and later as the headquarters personnel officer.

He is currently the deputy commander in charge of the army component.

The mission of the state guard is to provide mission-ready military forces to assist state and local authorities in times of state emergencies, conduct homeland security and community service activities under the umbrella of Defense Support to Civil Authorities and to augment the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air National Guard as required, a Texas Military Forces public affairs spokesperson said.