Michigan Defense Force

The Michigan Defense Force (MIDF), formerly Michigan Volunteer Defense Force (MIVDF), is a military force, duly constituted as a state defense force and an element of Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The MIDF is one of the three components of the military establishment of Michigan: the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the Michigan Defense Force.[1]

Michigan Defense Force
Agency overview
Formed2004
Preceding agencies
  • Michigan State Troops Home Guard (1917–1952)
  • Michigan Emergency Volunteers (1988–1998)
HeadquartersLansing, Michigan
Employees200 officers and enlisted members
Agency executive
  • COL William R. Ewald, Brigade Commander
Parent agencyMichigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Child agency
  • 2nd-7th Battalions
Websitemidefenseforce.us

History

The early Michigan State Troops

Michigan's first state defense force was established as the Michigan State Troops Home Guard along with the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force in Act No. 53 Public Acts of Michigan on 17 April 1917. The Michigan State Troops organizations served on in-state active duty during World Wars I, II, and the Korean War.

Michigan Emergency Volunteers

The Michigan State Troops were reconstituted as the Michigan Emergency Volunteers by Public Act 246 of 1988. The original intention for the MEV was to act as a force of trained emergency volunteers in case the National Guard was sent out of the state in a national emergency. The MEV was ordered to stand down in October 1998.[2]

Michigan Volunteer Defense Force / Michigan Defense Force

The word "volunteer" has been dropped from the name. The Michigan Defense Force is the third branch of the Michigan Military Establishment along with the Michigan Army National Guard and Michigan Air National Guard. All the missions and training are done in Michigan. Drills are one weekend a month and training events are usually two weeks per year. Focus is on disaster response, search and rescue, first aid, military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony, and much more. The Michigan Defense Force is a consideration for someone who has been in the military and wants to rejoin, or someone who has thought they missed a chance to serve. Maximum age currently accepted is 55.[3]

Uniforms, training, and duties

The MIDF uniform differs slightly from the Army uniform; MIDF soldiers wear the state flag on their right shoulder instead of the American flag.[4]

The MIDF is tasked with emergency management missions such as handling the reception, storage and stationing of the Strategic National Stockpile in Michigan, and supplying trained and uniformed Community Emergency Response Teams.[2]

MIDF missions have included working alongside the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in processing benefit applications for military veterans,[5] and providing disaster response aid, including tree and debris removal, following tornado activity.[6]

(2022) On its current website, the Michigan Defense Force mission is stated: TO PROVIDE READY AND ABLE MILITARY FORCES TO ASSIST STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN TIMES OF STATE EMERGENCIES AND TO AUGMENT THE MICHIGAN ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD AS REQUIRED.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Michigan Legislature - Emailable Link". www.legislature.mi.gov. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  2. Ast, William F. (20 April 2009). "State military reserve looking for local recruits". The Herald-Palladium. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  3. "Frequently asked questions". Michigan Defense Force.
  4. Cunningham, Jeffrey (10 June 2016). "Little-known Michigan Volunteer Defense Force has local officials' backs". MLive Media Group.
  5. Boyd, Jason (22 August 2014). "MIVDF go above and beyond to help veterans". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  6. Walker, Cryss (20 March 2019). "Tornado recovery underway". WSYM-TV. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  7. "Our Mission". Michigan Defense Force.
  • - Official Page - 2022
  • - Requirements, Enlistment process, Contact info - 2022
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