Oldest American Military Unit?
DTop
Active member
Oh it counts alright. They wear a patch that says "Nation's First" because of it. I suppose you could have a category for the unit that has retained it's designation the longest. Designations change from time to time due to periodic reorganizations of the entire military. For example, 182 is a "regimental" designator from when the Army last decided to use regiments (WWII I think). As I said the unit was originally the "North Regiment" of Boston from the King Philips War days. There could be an argument for the oldest active duty unit, which the 182nd is not.
A quick internet seach found this on army.mil
The oldest unit in the active Army is the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, which perpetuates the Alexander Hamilton Battery of the Revolutionary War. The oldest regiment in the active Army is the 3d Infantry (The Old Guard), which was originally organized in 1784 as the First American Regiment. However, the oldest units in the entire Army, dating back to 1636, belong to the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
A quick internet seach found this on army.mil
The oldest unit in the active Army is the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, which perpetuates the Alexander Hamilton Battery of the Revolutionary War. The oldest regiment in the active Army is the 3d Infantry (The Old Guard), which was originally organized in 1784 as the First American Regiment. However, the oldest units in the entire Army, dating back to 1636, belong to the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
Thanks for the info. I was just curious. I guess its like comparing apples to oranges. 2nd cav has been 2nd cav since its inception. But like you said, they could be categorized differently.
http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/2ACR/INDEX.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2acr-history.htm
http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/2ACR/INDEX.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2acr-history.htm
Chris Dorsey
New Member
Oldest Unit
The 772 Military Police Com. of the Massachusett National Guard is the oldest unit in the U.S. today. It first mustered in in the early 1600's as pikesmen, and first saw action in the King Philip's War
This unit is currently deployed in Iraq.
The 772 Military Police Com. of the Massachusett National Guard is the oldest unit in the U.S. today. It first mustered in in the early 1600's as pikesmen, and first saw action in the King Philip's War
This unit is currently deployed in Iraq.
mmarsh
Active member
I always though the oldest Unit in the US Army was the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp. They are now attached to the 3rd ID. They were the Musicians of George Washington's Army going back to 1781. They wore "REDCOATS"as it was the tradition for the Musicans to wear the opposite color uniform of the regiments they were assigned to.
They the fife and drum corp that accompanies the President.
They the fife and drum corp that accompanies the President.
03USMC
Active member
That's the 3rd Infantry Regiment. Specifically the 1st and 4th Bn of that Regiment that are posted in the Military District of Washington DC as an honors unit. The Fife and Drums are part of 4th Bn. 2nd Bn 3rd Infantry is posted to Ft Lewis and the 2nd ID.
The regt was formed in 1784 as the First American Regiment. It is the Oldest Unit on active duty.
The regt was formed in 1784 as the First American Regiment. It is the Oldest Unit on active duty.
mmarsh
Active member
I stand corrected, thank you for the explanation.
There's lots of problems with such comments as "Assigned to carry the history/designation, ect" vs a continuosly serving Unit. The National Guard is a post Civil War Federal Organization that replaced the pre War State Militias. The Fed. Govt. intent was to prevent the Governors from being able to start an armed rebellion again. Most state Militias were prohibited by State Laws from serving outside thier State. The C.W. Volunteers were a seperate organization from the US Army and the State Militias, though some Governors/Commanders took S.M. trops illegaly out of state. This happened more often with Northern troops than Southern.
03USMC
Active member
The National Guard traces it's lineage back to 1636 thru the units, to include all militia units , as most state militia units were folded into the National Guard.
While the National Guard is post civil war, it's modern form dates from 1903 and the Dick Act. The Dick Act replaced the Militia Act of 1792 and was inacted not to prevent State Rebellion but due to problems during the mobilization of State Militia (Volunteer) units as well as Regular Army units during the Spanish American War. The purpose of the Dick Act was to consolidate and bring the State unit's in line with established Regular Army Regulations.
As far as Volunteer vs Regular troops in the Civil War. It was not illegal for State Militias to serve outside the boundries of the respective states, provided that were mustered into CS or US service. Regular troops were at a preimium throughout the war on both sides, this caused both sides to depend heavily of volunteer troops many of the volunteer regiments early in the war were formed around exsisting militia formations and the number raised to regimental status thru consolidation of militia companies and recruitment and when mustered into service of the CS or US they had their designation changed from, for example The South Kansas Texas Cavalry to 3rd Texas Cavalry.
Later in the war militia/home guards/ state guards were raised in various states for the home defense etc. These were State troops unmustered and in the service of the state.
While the National Guard is post civil war, it's modern form dates from 1903 and the Dick Act. The Dick Act replaced the Militia Act of 1792 and was inacted not to prevent State Rebellion but due to problems during the mobilization of State Militia (Volunteer) units as well as Regular Army units during the Spanish American War. The purpose of the Dick Act was to consolidate and bring the State unit's in line with established Regular Army Regulations.
As far as Volunteer vs Regular troops in the Civil War. It was not illegal for State Militias to serve outside the boundries of the respective states, provided that were mustered into CS or US service. Regular troops were at a preimium throughout the war on both sides, this caused both sides to depend heavily of volunteer troops many of the volunteer regiments early in the war were formed around exsisting militia formations and the number raised to regimental status thru consolidation of militia companies and recruitment and when mustered into service of the CS or US they had their designation changed from, for example The South Kansas Texas Cavalry to 3rd Texas Cavalry.
Later in the war militia/home guards/ state guards were raised in various states for the home defense etc. These were State troops unmustered and in the service of the state.
Oldest Unit in the US Army
The DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Lineage and Honors records and the United States Army Institute of Heraldry recognizes the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery as the oldest unit in the U.S. Army with continuous active service since the 17th of February 1735. While other units were formed well before that time (1635), they did not join the Continental Army on 14 June 1775. Moreover, the Institute of Heraldry also recognizes the Regiment as the only surviving unit of the original seven companies that formed the U.S. Army in 1775.
The older units did not join the Continental Army until later. :salute2:
The DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Lineage and Honors records and the United States Army Institute of Heraldry recognizes the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery as the oldest unit in the U.S. Army with continuous active service since the 17th of February 1735. While other units were formed well before that time (1635), they did not join the Continental Army on 14 June 1775. Moreover, the Institute of Heraldry also recognizes the Regiment as the only surviving unit of the original seven companies that formed the U.S. Army in 1775.
The older units did not join the Continental Army until later. :salute2:
usinfantryMOS11c10
Active member
On 13 December 1636, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony had ordered that the Colony's scattered militia companies be organized into North, South and East Regiments. Thus making the National Guard the oldest branch of the US Military.
However the US Army rangers have much earlier roots than most people realize.
During the revolutionary war, General George Washingtonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington ordered Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton to select an elite group of men for reconnaissance missions. This unit was known as Knowlton's Rangers, and was the first official Ranger unit for the United States, and are considered the historical parent of the modern day Army Rangers.
However the US Army rangers have much earlier roots than most people realize.
During the revolutionary war, General George Washingtonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington ordered Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton to select an elite group of men for reconnaissance missions. This unit was known as Knowlton's Rangers, and was the first official Ranger unit for the United States, and are considered the historical parent of the modern day Army Rangers.
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the Army National Guard is the oldest component in america it is over 375 years old it born founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony it's birthdate is December 13, 1636 the oldest Army division happens to be the 28th infantry division of the state of Pennsylvania part of the National Guard the fought most of the Revolutionary War battles with and along side President George Washington himself. In World War 2 they fought a fury of assaults that led the German Army to bestow the Keystone soldiers with the title "Bloody Bucket" Division i am a proud member of that division and am well acquainted with is rich history in America