The clearly defined role of states in national defense is their National Guards. Less clearly defined — but potentially just as important — are their industrial base, research institutions, and economic development capabilities, all of which can contribute to national defense.
Michigan is embracing these possibilities, which is a natural progression for a state with a storied, proud tradition of being the “Arsenal of Democracy.” The state’s automotive industry has long played a key role in national defense; during wartime, its factories have produced the vehicles that help make the U.S. military an unparalleled logistics machine, moving personnel and materiel at a scale that no other country can match. In addition to an active wartime role, research and development at automotive companies and other industries translates to innovations and improvement of the U.S.’s ground, aerospace, and maritime initiatives.
Helping to lead these efforts is John Gutierrez, executive director of the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI). A retired Marine Corps Colonel with more than 30 years of joint, operational, and acquisition experience, Gutierrez combines his military background, expertise in operations and acquisitions, and the state’s economic development resources to help Michigan contribute to national defense. Military Times spoke with Gutierrez to get his insights on current initiatives, future plans, and how states like Michigan can aid in national defense.
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Military Times (MT): When you think about the role of states in national defense and global defense, obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is the National Guard piece of it, but this is a different thing. This is talking about the industrial and economic role of states in national defense. Can you give us a little bit of an overview of what role states — and Michigan specifically — play in national defense or global defense?
John Gutierrez (JG): Michigan plays a vital role in national and global defense strategies due to its manufacturing strength, its strategic location, and its defense industry expertise. Our legacy in defense production stretches back to World War II, when Detroit earned the title “Arsenal of Democracy.” Today, that legacy continues as the state’s industrial base remains a vital contributor to national security, including the production of advanced military vehicles and other critical defense systems.
Our ability to rapidly scale manufacturing remains the state’s competitive edge, I would say. Second, Michigan’s location provides strategic benefits. Its proximity to Canada and access to the Great Lakes help enhance border security and maritime defense efforts. Our National Guard base plays a key role in air operations, and also Camp Grayling, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and the National All-Domain Center.
Michigan’s ability to rapidly scale advanced manufacturing remains one of the state’s defining competitive advantages. Additionally, our strategic location — bordering Canada and anchored by the Great Lakes — bolsters both border security and maritime defense. From air operations to joint exercises at Camp Grayling, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, Michigan continues to serve as a critical node in the nation’s defense posture.
Finally, Michigan fosters defense innovation through universities such as the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, which conduct research in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems.
MT: There’s always been a connection between the auto industry and the military industry. But how has that changed as defense manufacturing has moved more into specialized vehicle production as opposed to adapting civilian vehicle production? How have the automakers in Michigan adapted to that and still play a role in national defense?
JG: Michigan’s industrial base still plays a significant role within national defense, particularly with its deep ties to the automotive industry as well as advanced manufacturing capabilities. Many of Michigan’s automakers and suppliers, including General Motors and others, have long-standing contracts with the Department of Defense and have had a history of producing military vehicles, aerospace components, and defense technologies. And this integration has allowed Michigan to rapidly pivot its production capacity to meet defense needs, just like it did back in World War II, when Detroit became the Arsenal of Democracy.
The auto manufacturing capability here within the state is a strength. That’s what brings all of that engineering technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes that Michigan is known for. And beyond vehicle production, Michigan’s defense sectors benefit from its expertise in automation, robotics, and cybersecurity. The state’s manufacturing infrastructure supports the development of autonomous military systems, advanced propulsion technologies, as well as secure communications networks. All in all, Michigan’s defense industry and aerospace industry contribute over $30 billion in economic activity and provide more than 166,000 jobs in nearly 5,000 businesses engaged in defense, aerospace, and homeland security.
MT: That’s a great point you made there about automation and robotics. So much of what we see in manufacturing really starts with the auto industry. A lot of the innovation there has come from building automated production lines and using robotics and things like that. So that has really evolved into a more high-tech kind of manufacturing as opposed to just putting together vehicles, hasn’t it?
JG: It has, and some of that advanced manufacturing equipment can be retooled and refitted to transition to other markets. We are expanding the outlook within Michigan beyond ground systems; not to say that we’re going to divorce ourselves from ground systems or that focus, but diversifying into other opportunities such as autonomous systems or maritime systems.
A prime example is space. There’s a burgeoning space economy within the state as well. We’ve stood up a number of space community of interest meetings, and we’re seeing the intensity and excitement in that area really grow. That’s just the space piece; we talked about the maritime component as well. We have some of the traditional ground contractors with the Department of Defense approaching the state, saying, ‘How can we capitalize on the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) Initiative? How can we support the nation’s drive towards shipbuilding and increasing naval and maritime platforms?’
MT: You touched on the role of universities. I’d like to talk about that a little bit more. Obviously, Michigan State and the University of Michigan are world-class research institutions. They’re doing a lot of really great work in these fields, but are there some specific examples you can point to of projects being worked on or research being done that you think are really going to lead to Michigan playing a leading role in national defense?
One standout initiative that underscores Michigan’s role as a catalyst for innovation is the Uncrewed Triple Challenge. This all-of-state effort — led by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan National Guard, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) — transformed the region into a dynamic living laboratory. Modeled after a high-tech Ironman competition, the challenge tested uncrewed systems across air, maritime, and ground domains. It created a unique environment for companies to prototype, iterate, and advance next-generation autonomous technologies.
I know that you mentioned the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, but Wayne State University and, more recently, Michigan Technological University — those R1s form the Research Universities for Michigan, which drives innovation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, and those institutions collaborate with defense agencies and private sector firms to develop solutions for national security challenges.
One other thing that we’re advancing with the strategic plan is that we are committed to establishing a Michigan-based, University-Affiliated Research Center, or UARC. And those are strategic research centers that are established by the Department of Defense in collaboration with the university or a consortium, and those UARCs are designed to maintain essential engineering and technology capabilities while advancing defense innovation research.
What we’re looking at doing is standing up a Michigan Defense Innovation consortium, and that’s a proposed Michigan-based UARC that aims to leverage the collective strengths of mid- to small-sized universities. So, our R2s within the state would support national defense strategy and the National Defense Industrial Base Improvement strategy.
MT: Is there anything else that you think people need to know about the work that you’re doing in Michigan? Is there anything else that should really be top-of-mind for people as they think about Michigan’s role in National Defense?
JG: Michigan is “Reimagining the Arsenal of Democracy,” and we are a modern hub for defense and dual-use innovation, manufacturing, and strategic military training operations. The state is all-in on defense. We’re 100% committed to this; we have the industry, we’ve got the academic know-how, and we’ve got the support from government leaders at all levels.