U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, R-Mich. announced that he secured $26 million for the National Guard Bureau to modernize armories state-wide. These armories will give the troops space to conduct training and perform missions with the necessary equipment and resources.
When first constructed, the facilities were made with only male troops in mind. This included the facility’s restrooms and showers. Today, the Michigan National Guard has nearly 1,500 women serving, making up 18% of the troops.
“Women service members must have access to equal and adequate facilities, and I’m pleased to have secured these federal resources to make that a reality,” Sen. Peters, former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, said. “When we modernize Michigan’s military facilities and invest in our troops, we send a clear signal that we support the entirety of our force and their ability to effectively carry out their missions.”
Other members of Congress joined Peters in calling for the National Guard Bureau to match the $55 million allocated by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the State of Michigan for modernization efforts. After facing recruitment and retention challenges, they hope the National Guard Bureau will invest in improving the quality of life of those serving.
“The women who serve in the MIARNG deserve access to facilities that meet their needs and allow them to focus on their training and missions,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Thanks to Senator Peters’ advocacy, we have secured resources to modernize our military facilities for women service members and build on the efforts we have made at the state level. Let’s keep working together to modernize our facilities and ensure the Michiganders who serve have what they need to get the job done.”
“We are grateful to Senator Peters for his leadership and efforts to secure critical resources for the modernization of our facilities,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said. “As more women join the MIARNG, these new facilities are vital to make sure our troops feel supported and have the resources necessary to thrive and be mission ready.”
The Michigan National Guard has identified 34 facilities that do meet adequate standards for the women service members. Nearly $26 million in federal funding secured by Sen. Peters will allow for construction to begin at the following armories in Michigan.
Those armories include:
Alma: $940,000
Alpena: $1,250,000
Augusta: $1,330,000
Bay City: $720,000
Detroit Light Guard: $1,430,000
Detroit Olympia: $2,280,000
Grayling Bldg. 3: $945,000
Jackson: $1,140,000
Lapeer: $2,220,000
Midland: $2,480,000
Montague: $1,370,000
Port Huron: $3,200,000
Sault Ste Marie: $3,850,000
Taylor: $945,000
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