Michigan Volunteer Defense Force


The Michigan Volunteer Defense Force is a military force, duly constituted as a state defense force and an element of Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The MIVDF is one of the three components of the military establishment of Michigan; the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force.

History

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 . The original intention for the MEV was to act as a force of trained emergency volunteers in the event that the National Guard was sent out of the state in a national emergency. The MEV was ordered to stand down in October 1998.

Michigan Volunteer Defense Force

The force was resurrected in late 2004 as the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force.

Uniforms, training, and duties

The MIVDF uniform differs slightly from the Army uniform; MIVDF soldiers wear the state flag on their right shoulder instead of the American flag.
The MIVDF 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.
MIVDF missions have included working alongside the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in processing benefit applications for military veterans, and providing disaster response aid, including tree and debris removal, following tornado activity.