[3] The 125th traces its lineage back to the 1850s when on 24 December 1857 and 4 January 1858, two respective militia companies were formed; the East Saginaw Guards and the Flint Union Grays.

[1][4] The 125th Infantry arrived at the port of New York on 9 May 1919 on the USS Great Northern and was demobilized 22 May 1919 at Camp Custer, Michigan.

The SFATs partnered, assisted and advised their counterparts initially on operations, rule of law, logistics, training/administration, government/development and maintenance/signal.

The main effort switched to logistics, with the intent of enabling the ANSF to be self-sustaining to increase their operational capabilities.

During the spring, elements of the battalion closed one combat outpost, with SFAT operations in that area ceasing shortly after.

A Company was responsible for three distinct security force advisory missions: 3rd platoon provided security forces for the Khanabad District advising mission, which was successfully handed over to Afghan leadership; 2nd platoon provided SECFOR and helped strengthen the security and force protection measures for the Afghan Operations Coordination Center (Provincial), and the Provincial Headquarters in Kunduz; 1st platoon aided in teaching rule of law classes and provided SECFOR for the Gor Teppa area outside Kunduz City.

Gor Teppa was the focal point and testing ground for the new evidence-based operations mission set that focused efforts on community-based policing and ANSF investigating and pursuing prosecution of crimes committed in the area.

B Company was responsible for the border crossing mission at Combat Outpost Shir Khan, along with supporting an SFAT.

C Company worked with an SFAT and the Afghan Uniform Police and National Directorate of Security in the Imam Sahib and Dasht-e Archi Districts.

D Company conducted security force assistance for more than 300 Afghan Uniform Police in Baghlan province at the PHQ and Doshi district headquarters.

The Distribution Platoon traveled more than 50,000 miles to ensure all locations had the necessary supplies and equipment to run their daily operations.

The palm tree, eleven mullets (stars), and the crowned lion–all charges taken from this coat of arms–are applicable to the organization's historical background.