Its primary ROTC feeder school was the Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science and its designated mobilization training station was Camp Grant.

After the United States entered World War II, the regiment was converted into the 70th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 30 January 1942.

The distinctive unit insignia consisted of a 1+1⁄8 inches (2.9 cm) gold colored metal and enamel device with an ermine chevron and black gauntlet on a field of yellow.

The chevron and gauntlet were taken from the shield of American military commander Anthony Wayne, who fought battles in Michigan, and the yellow represented the cavalry.

The words "Lead Me Forward" were spoken by Wayne after he was wounded at Battle of Stony Point during the American Revolutionary War.