Michigan's first state defense force was established as the Michigan State Troops in Act No. 53 Public Acts of Michigan on 17 April 1917.  The MST organizations served on instate active duty during World War I, II, and the Korean War and by Act No. 246 Public Volunteers.  The MEV was deactivated on 1 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 MI VDF is organized as a state-wide brigade with three regional commands.  These three area commands are supported by eight field battalions located within joint Michigan State Police and Office of Public Health Program districts.  Each battalion command has three detachments and each detachment three sections, all of which are being developed to serve and support community needs across the State of Michigan.