Michigan National Guard readiness, Selfridge runway and childcare among priorities presented to House Families and Veterans Committee

Deputy Director Terry Sabol told the House Family and Veterans Committee that Michigan’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has a broad mission spanning the National Guard, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and state veteran homes and that readiness and member support are central priorities.

Sabol, the deputy director for the department, told the committee the department’s footprint includes nearly 11,000 people, 39 armories across the state and major installations including Camp Grayling, Fort Custer, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Alpena. He said the department’s federal-authorized strength is about 95% and that officials are working to recruit and retain members to reach full authorization.

The deputy director highlighted three priorities the department is pursuing with the Appropriations Committee: a long-standing encroachment solution at Selfridge Air National Guard Base that would shift the runway to address a federally identified clear-zone problem; a National Guard member benefits program to provide childcare assistance for service members; and development of a veterans cemetery in Crawford County.

Sabol described the Selfridge project as a response to a federal clear-zone requirement. He said the base had operated for years under a federal waiver that was rescinded about a decade ago and that runway adjustments would be necessary to support future fighter missions.

On recruitment and readiness, Sabol told lawmakers that some service members show up for federal- or state-level missions but are not medically ready because of untreated health or dental issues. He said those gaps are often linked to members’ civilian employment and lack of access to affordable health coverage outside the Guard. "It doesn't make a lot of sense if we have uniformed soldiers and airmen that are serving with us, but then when the call is placed ... they're not ready to go, because they don't have that health care and dental coverage available to them," Sabol said.

He said the department is exploring several approaches, including supplementing TRICARE Select for some members and seeking to include Guard members in existing state programs that could provide coverage. Sabol framed the work as tied to both retention and operational readiness rather than solely as a benefits expansion.

Lawmakers also asked about the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force mentioned on an organizational slide. Sabol said the volunteer force is an all-volunteer, citizen supplemental organization that can augment the Guard in emergencies and that he would provide the committee exact membership numbers later.

No committee action was taken on the department’s priorities during the presentation; Sabol said the initiatives already are being pursued with the appropriations process and invited further questions and follow-up.

Sabol closed by emphasizing the department’s "member for life" approach: the department supports service members while in uniform and connects them to veterans services, veteran homes and other post-service care when they leave uniformed service.