LANSING, MICH.? After 25 years of Michigan military service, Brigadier General Michael C. McDaniel will be leaving the state to serve the nation as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Strategy and Force Planning in Washington D.C. His duties within DoD will include overseeing strategic initiatives related to homeland defense and force planning and capabilities development in support of civil authorities. A farewell ceremony will be held July 15, 4 p.m., at Michigan National Guard Headquarters, 34ll N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lansing.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm appointed McDaniel as Michigan's Homeland Security Advisor on Feb. 5, 2003. McDaniel serves as liaison for the Governor's office with all federal, state, and local agencies on homeland security and is responsible for developing statewide policy on homeland security preparedness and for coordinating the development of plans and training for homeland security. "Mike McDaniel has been a trusted advisor to me for many years, first during my tenure as attorney general and now as governor where he has helped guide me on homeland security issues," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "While he is leaving state service, we will all benefit as Mike helps to advise the Obama administration on homeland security issues. Our best to him in all that awaits."

McDaniel noted, "The post-9/11 asymmetric threat environment and natural disasters of increasing intensity require innovative thinking, an appropriate application of resources, and sound coordination and collaboration at both the federal and state levels. So I look forward to bringing the experience I have gained over the years ? here in Michigan and with the National Guard in particular ? to Washington during this critical and challenging time."

As Michigan's Assistant Adjutant General for Homeland Security, McDaniel has command and control of the Homeland Security Directorate. He is directly responsible for over 700 full and part-time soldiers and volunteers who serve as "First Responders" for the Michigan National Guard. A complete biography of McDaniel's work will be available at the ceremony.

State Adjutant General, Major General Thomas Cutler said, "I am most impressed by the way General McDaniel made great strides in preparedness for our state in the area of homeland security. The Michigan Infrastructure Coordinating Committee (MICC), the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center (MIOC), the state fusion center and the Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR) desk are all great examples of preparedness progress." Cutler added. "They are lucky to get a diligent, dedicated, hard worker and we are blessed to have someone looking out for Michigan's unique security issues at a higher level."

The ceremony will run approximately one hour with presentations beginning at 4:30 p.m. Local media, friends and family of the general are welcome to attend.

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