The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has two primary missions. The first is to "execute the duties laid down by state statute and the Governor." [1] These duties include providing "executive oversight and coordination for state veterans programming," the largest part of which includes operating two veterans’ homes. According to the state, this first mission accounted for 63 percent of the department’s fiscal year 2000 budget. [2]
The second mission of the department of military and veterans affairs is to "ensure the preparedness of the Michigan National Guard" whose role is to "protect lives and property in times of natural disaster … and to assist the federal government in defending the sovereign interests of the United States …" [3]
In addition, the department operates education-related programs for "at-risk" youth at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and in Battle Creek.