Contact Your Senator Regarding the State Defense Force Improvement Act

We've made it easy to contact your legislator regarding the State Defense Force Improvement Act. Simply fill out the form below to send a customized letter to your senator discussing the proposed legislation.

6 February, 2012

Dear Senator (Senator's Name):

National Guard forces from Michigan are deployed as an integral part of the Global War on Terror, leaving Governor Snyder with fewer forces to defend and assist Michigan citizens in the event of a terrorist attack, major natural disaster or pandemic outbreak.

Michigan has an operational Volunteer Defense Force as part of its reserve and has discovered that this force of Citizen-Volunteers provides a competent augmentation for The Adjutant General and the Michigan National Guard. These men and women constitute a cost-effective force multiplier for homeland security efforts. They operate at minimal cost to the State of Michigan. Their annual budget is only $5,000. All other costs are paid by the individual members of the MI-VDF.

The State Defense Force Improvement Act will clarify that the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force (MI-VDF), while state-controlled, is an integral part of our Nation’s homeland defense efforts. The augmented National Defense Authorization Act, specifically the State Defense Force Improvement Act , will ensure that the MI-VDF are available to function to the fullest extent that Governor Granholm chooses to employ them and will establish a clear protocol on how they may be coordinated with other Homeland Security efforts.

The State Defense Force Improvement Act will:

• Explicitly recognize state defense forces;
• Authorize state defense forces to use DOD property and equipment;
• Allow state defense forces to receive surplus DOD equipment;
• Ensure DOD is not responsible for any costs associated with the above provisions.

Your support of this legislation will improve the robustness of Michigan’s and our Nation’s Homeland Security posture at no cost to the State of Michigan nor the federal government.

Thank you for your important work on behalf of the citizens of Michigan and our Nation.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)