About this Unit
The 425th Infantry Regiment, Company I, traces its lineage to the post-World War II era as part of the Michigan Army National Guard. Initially organized as a parachute infantry unit, Company I became renowned for its airborne training and rapid deployment capabilities. Throughout the Cold War, it participated in numerous training exercises and supported domestic operations, maintaining readiness for both state and federal missions. The unit was eventually reorganized in the early 2000s, with its legacy of airborne excellence continuing to inspire Michigan’s National Guard forces.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 425th Infantry Regiment traces its roots back to the Michigan Army National Guard, with its formation closely associated with post-World War II restructuring of the U.S. Army's infantry forces.
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Company I's Role: Company I (CO.I) was a long-range surveillance (LRS) unit, making it one of the few such specialized units in the National Guard, trained for deep reconnaissance and intelligence gathering behind enemy lines.
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Airborne Tradition: The 425th was one of the only National Guard units with a designated airborne company, maintaining rigorous parachute training and airborne qualification standards.
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Cold War Mission: During the Cold War, the 425th's primary mission was to provide strategic reconnaissance against Warsaw Pact forces in Europe in the event of conflict, often training alongside active-duty airborne and Ranger units.
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Distinctive Insignia: The regiment’s distinctive unit insignia features a silver shield with a blue bend, symbolizing the unit's infantry roots and its Michigan heritage.
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Notable Deployments: Members of Company I have been mobilized for overseas operations, including service in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, deploying both as a unit and as individual augmentees.
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Specialized Training: Troops in CO.I received advanced training in small-unit tactics, surveillance, communications, survival, and escape and evasion, making them some of the most highly trained soldiers in the Army National Guard.
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Community Connection: Based out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, the unit maintained strong ties with the local community, participating in public events and veteran commemorations.
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Legacy of Excellence: The 425th Infantry Regiment, and especially CO.I, earned a reputation for professionalism, physical fitness, and esprit de corps, often recognized in regional and national competitions.
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Inactivation and Legacy: Company I, 425th Infantry was inactivated in 2011 as part of Army force restructuring, but its alumni remain active in military and veteran communities, preserving the unit’s airborne and reconnaissance legacy.
