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October 31, 2025
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has appointed Jefferey R. Connell, Lt. Col. (Ret.), as administrator and officer, of the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force (MiVDF).
“I am proud to appoint Administrator Connell as the new leader of the MiVDF,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “This appointment reflects a commitment to strong leadership, organization and readiness to respond when Michigan faces emergencies. Under this new leadership, I am confident volunteers will continue to stand ready to support and strengthen our communities.”
The Michigan Military Act (MCL 32.501), which took effect on June 30, 1967, is the law that governs the organization, administration and deployment of Michigan’s state militia. Collectively known as the state military establishment and constituting the armed forces of Michigan, the organized militia consists of the Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG), the Michigan Air National Guard (MIANG) and the MiVDF. For more information on MCL 32.501, visit Michigan Military Act.
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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan will hold its fifth annual Military & Veterans Gala Nov. 8 from 6 – 11 p.m. at the Fort Pontchartrain Hotel located at 2 Washington Blvd. in Detroit. The formal event is a celebration of Michigan’s National Guard members, veterans and advocates.
LANSING, Mich. — On October 17, approximately 120 Soldiers assigned to the Michigan Army National Guard’s (MIARNG) 1430th Engineer Company, based out of Gladstone, will gather with their families and invited guests at Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo as they prepare to depart for their deployment to the Southwest Border to support the federal law enforcement mission.
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will attend a Repatriation Ceremony for U.S. Army Private First Class (PFC) Edward J. Kramer, 23, of Detroit, killed during World War II.
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan National Guard (MING) 51st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST), in partnership with the Wisconsin National Guard 54th WMD-CST and a diverse range of federal, state and local agencies, will conduct joint training operations in Escanaba, Michigan from September 9-11.
LANSING, Mich. — Northern Strike (NS) 25-2, one of the Department of Defense’s largest reserve component readiness exercises, is taking place now across Michigan until August 16, 2025.
LANSING, Mich. – Northern Strike (NS) 25-2, one of the Department of Defense’s largest reserve component readiness exercises, is scheduled to take place across Michigan from August 2-16, 2025.
LANSING, Mich. — The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), based in Crane, Indiana is the lead agency for Silent Swarm 25, taking place July 14-25 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Alpena, MI.
LANSING, Mich. — Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center (CGJMTC), in collaboration with the Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) Survivor Outreach Services Team, will display a Boots on the Ground Heroes Memorial and host a ceremony to honor fallen service members on July 12 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will include remarks by Brig. Gen. Ravindra Wagh, assistant adjutant general and commander of the MIARNG, and a performance of Taps.
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II joined the Michigan National Guard (MING) at Camp Grayling for the 2025 Memorial Pass in Review Ceremony.
