Michigan Volunteer Defense Force
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2004 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Headquarters | Lansing, Michigan |
| Employees | 200 officers and enlisted members |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs |
| Child agency |
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| Website | Michigan Dept. Military & Veteran Affairs Webpage |
The 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 MIVDF was reorganized from the former Michigan Emergency Volunteers by Adjutant General Thomas Cutler in 2004 to fill a homeland security role in the State of Michigan. As of October 2011[update], the MIVDF is commanded by COL William Ewald, a retired United States Army colonel.
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 War I, II, and the Korean War.
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 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.
On 20 September 2004, MG Thomas G. Cutler, the Michigan Adjutant General, and COL Michael McDaniel met with the then small interim staff to review and discuss various opportunities for a state defense force to again serve within the state's military establishment. At the conclusion of that meeting, Adjutant General Cutler authorized the reactivation of the new Michigan Volunteer Defense Force to undertake involvement in various homeland security concerns and other military support services as assigned.
Today the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force is organized as a statewide brigade composed of seven field battalions located within the former Michigan State Police and Office of Public Health Program districts. Each battalion is being developed to serve and support community needs across the State of Michigan. All seven battalions have one mission: - At the direction of Major General Gregory J. Vadnais the Adjutant General and the Director Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,the Michigan Defense Force shall provide reliable personnel support to local and state agencies during declared emergencies.
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