Military

Military groups of every size and type call Greater Lansing their home away from home every single year. Why? Because we are a warm and welcoming community that has successfully blended big-city amenities with small-town friendliness.

Affordable lodging in close proximity to scenic parks makes us an easy choice for casual picnics and barbecues. Looking for some side trips for sub-groups within your group? No problem! Greater Lansing offers everything from hiking trails to world-class theater and shopping to Big Ten Sports! Need more reasons?

Greater Lansing offers:

• The region's central location in the state makes it an easy destination for your attendees to gather.
• Greater Lansing is measurably affordable in comparison with other Midwestern metropolitan areas. We know military reunion groups often travel with family and operate on budgets that are limited. From our accommodations, to dining and entertainment, you will find something for everyone with a price-point that fits a tight budget.
• Greater Lansing is near the junction of most major state highways. It's easy to find your way around our town, and our downtown is only ten minutes from Capital Region International Airport. Lansing is compact and easy to navigate.
• Looking for attractions of every kind on a tight budget? Look no further! Greater Lansing offers top-notch galleries, museums and historical sites all throughout the community. Best of all - most are 100% free of charge.
• Be a big fish in a small pond! While Greater Lansing is a thriving Midwestern metropolitan area, we're not so big that your group is going to fall through the cracks. Our sales and services staff at the GLCVB will employ every effort to show you your group's event truly matters to us, and that we're glad you're here!

  

Click here to view and download a printable
conference checklist for military conference planners. 

Heather Kim, CTA

Sales Manager

Market Segment:
Faith-Based
Military
Reunions & Social

Phone: 517-377-1401 hkim@lansing.org

The Greater Lansing region hosts the following military branches: 

Army
Granger Mall
416 Elmwood Dr.
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 321-3660

As the oldest branch of the U.S. Military, founded in 1775, the Army is one of the most powerful fighting forces on earth. Approximately 522,388 full-time Soldiers in today's Army defend and serve our nation by land, sea, and air.

Navy
6250 S. Cedar St., Ste. 12A
Lansing, MI 48911
(517) 393-0224

The U.S. Navy was founded under the authority of George Washington in 1775, with the intent to intercept British supply ships near Massachusetts. Currently comprised of 337,690 personnel, today's Navy is equipped to handle operations both on and under the sea, in the air, and on the ground. Its reach is worldwide, spanning 100 international ports and touching the farthest corners of the open ocean. A Navy Sailor generally serves a term of four years aboard one of the Navy's 279 deployable ships, though options for shorter time commitments exist.

Marines

For updated information, please visit the Marine Corps website or call 1-800-MARINES.

The United States Marine Corps was founded in 1775, even before our nation was officially formed. This elite group of men and women live by a strict code of integrity and ethics, producing not just strong warriors but people of exceptional character. The core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment influence everything a Marine does, on and off the battlefield.
While the Marine Corps is the smallest branch of today's military, it plays a major role as the first force on the ground in most conflicts. Today, 184,000 Marines are stationed around the world at all times, ready to deploy quickly whenever and wherever needed. The minimum service commitment for the Marine Corps is four years, but as the saying goes "There are no retired Marines, only former Marines."

Air Force
6250 S. Cedar St., Ste. 12A
Lansing, MI 48911
(517) 393-0224

The Air Force began as a subdivision of the U.S. Army, and was declared an official combatant arm in 1920. It wasn't until 1947, following World War II, that the Air Force was recognized as its own military branch.
Today's Air Force operates in keeping with a three-part vision: global vigilance, reach, and power. This vision empowers a technologically advanced force of 352,000 troops focused on air, space, and cyberspace superiority.

Coast Guard
8741 W. Saginaw Hwy., Ste. V, Broadbent Crossings
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 627-5078

The Coast Guard is an amalgamation of formerly distinct federal services: the U.S. Lighthouse Service, the Revenue Cutter Service, the Steamboat Inspection Service and the U.S. Lifesaving Service. In 1915 a congressional act combined the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service to form the Coast Guard. The Service was placed under the control of the Treasury Department until 1967, when an executive order transferred the Coast Guard to the newly-formed Department of Transportation.

Army National Guard
3323 N. Martin Luther King Junior Blvd.
Lansing, MI 48906
(517) 481-8646

Like the Army Reserve, the Army National Guard is made up of citizen-Soldiers who train part time, close to home, until needed. Since 1636, each state has had its own militia. These became the foundation of today's Guard units (this was mandated by the Constitution in 1776). The Guard mobilizes to protect U.S. domestic interests in times of conflict or natural disaster, and may be deployed internationally alongside full-time troops when the situation demands. Today's National Guard consists of approximately 325,000 troops from all U.S. states and territories.