In the French colonial period, a proposal was made in 1708 to organize the first Michigan militia at Fort Detroit which is referenced in the Cadillac Papers.

Following the defeat of the French regime, Michigan militias were also organized during British colonial occupation prior to the arrival of the Americans.

[1] The earliest evidence of a formally organized American-style militia in pre-Territorial Michigan can be traced back to a militia unit participating in a Detroit parade on May 11, 1803.

The official organization of the Michigan Territory in 1805 also included language that allowed for the creation of a militia.

[1] The Michigan Territory Militia existed only on paper until the War of 1812.