It oversees the military components and veterans services for the State.

The military components are the Michigan National Guard and Michigan Volunteer Defense Force (MI VDF).

[1] The Department of Military Affairs was formed as one of the initial principal departments under the Executive Organization Act of 1965 as required by the 1963 State Constitution.

[2] In 2005 by Governor's Executive Order, the State Military Board was abolished with duties transfer to the department with the Governor's approval authority over the Military Board was transferred to the State Administrative Board.

[3] Governor Rick Snyder issued an executive order on January 18, 2013, creating the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency within the Department effective March 20, 2013.