Courtesy Photo The entrance of the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center is seen in this photo from the National Guard.

ALPENA — Women who serve and train at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center could see changes to the facilities created for them if the base receives a portion of the $105.8 million proposed for those purposes by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The base in Alpena would receive $3.51 million, if the funding proposal is approved by the legislature.

In a press release Wednesday, Whitmer said the funding would modernize current facilities used by the Michigan Army National Guard, and address inequities that exist in the facilities provided to Michigan’s female service members.

Whitmer also proclaimed June 12, 2021, Women Veterans Recognition Day, honoring Michigan’s 44,700 women veterans and the many more brave women who served before them.

“Michigan women have put their lives on the line to serve our country for generations and it’s time they get the respect and recognition they earned,” Whitmer said in the release.”We need to make sure our women veterans have the year-round support to employment and educational opportunities, healthcare, mental health services and housing when they return home. With this proposed investment, we are demonstrating to our female service members that we are serious about ensuring equity within our state.”

The Michigan Army National Guard has 37 facilities and at the time facilities like showers and restrooms were constructed, the guard was primarily made up of men. The funding would help modernize them for women.

Today’s force is much more diverse and very few of the facilities used for drill and other activities have been updated to reflect the needs of female soldiers.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, agreed with Whitmer, and said it is time to make sure the bases are set up to accommodate women.

“Michigan’s armories and readiness centers must be modernized and improved in order to address inequities that exist in the facilities provided to our female soldiers,” Rogers said. “This investment would clearly demonstrate Michigan’s commitment to them.”