Governor honors 40th Anniversary of the Alaska Naval Militia

Governor Mike Dunleavy recently issued a proclamation that December 1, 2024, be recognized as the 40th Anniversary of the Alaska Naval Militia, which had many curious about what exactly is the Alaska Naval Militia (ANM).

Alaska is the only Arctic state in the union and boasts 34,000 miles of coastline, more than the rest of the United States combined, and over 800,000 miles of navigable rivers. Alaska’s strategic location highlights the need for State and Federal mission assurance and a robust Alaska Organized Militia (AKOM). The ANM represent one of the four pillars under the AKOM which includes the Air Guard, Army Guard, Alaska State Defense Force, and the Alaska Naval Militia.

Originally established in 1974 with one fulltime employee stationed in Juneau, the Alaska Naval Militia (AKNM) was then retracted for a time and re-established ten years later.

The ANM is a group of citizen Sailors and Marines who have pledged their service to both Federal and State government. Members of the ANM maintain readiness through the Alaska Navy Reserve Center (NRC) and the Marine Corp Reserve Training Facility both located on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER), and are active drilling members of the US Navy and the US Marine Corp Reserve. AKNM members are additionally aligned with the Alaska National Guard for direct support of the State of Alaska as requested.

ANM service members are eligible to mobilize in support of our nation on federal orders or the State of Alaska on state orders. The ANM is one of five Naval Militia’s recognized under Title 10 USC. and joining is voluntary, as well as an optional benefit for Selected Reservists living in Alaska.

In addition to providing a valuable resource for Alaska, the ANM offers its members an opportunity to serve their community and their country. Members train in a variety of areas including navigation, seamanship, military medicine, construction, cargo handling, explosive handling teams, intelligence, military police, joint ops, and small boat operations. ANM members also participate in rigorous physical training and medical screenings to maintain readiness for whatever situations arise.

Another important advantage to being in the ANM is that its members are drawn from the local community, with specific knowledge of the coastline, the waterways, and the people call the areas 'home.' This allows them to respond quickly and effectively to any situation that may arise, such as earthquakes, floods, fires, storms, landslides, and medical emergencies.

ANM members also honor shipmates at Veteran funerals throughout the state of Alaska, providing uniformed detail to present Navy funeral honors ceremony, often times traveling to remote areas of Alaska on short notice.

“ANM members have stood ready for forty years to assist Federal and State missions, protect the lives and property of their fellow Alaskans and Americans, preserve public safety, support civil authorities, and to undertake search and rescue operations and all other duties when called upon by the Governor of the State of Alaska,” the Governor said in his proclamation, adding, “Members of the ANM should receive special recognition in joining comrades of the Alaska Organized Militia team to serve the people of the State of Alaska in times of need.”

For more information about the ANM, please visit www.dmva.alaska.gov/anm/