When did the US Military stop using the state and company system in which everyone was from a particular city, region, or state (ex: 54th Massachusetts, 20th Maine, Missippii Rifles, etc)?
Posted in Military Rifles
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February 9th, 2010 at 5:32 am
The Federal US Army has never had regionalized units of that type. In the early history of our country there was a very small full-time Army. That would be units like the 1st US Cavalry. Units of that type were made up of people from all over the country – though in reality they were heavily populated with recent immigrants, with native born officers.
Initially, more of the officers came from the south. Because the non-first sons wouldn’t inherit the farm, so they needed another opportunity. Whereas in the more industrialized north there were more opportunities to make one’s own way. When West Point was established, they used a system of nominations from congressmen (which we still use today) which kept the officer corps roughly balanced between the states.
The units you’re talking about are militia units (the national guard). Each state would maintain a moderate sized militia, and in time of war they would raise/recruit new regiments at state expense to be placed in federal service for a term determined by the governor.
The state militia system was reorganized into the national guard in the early 1900s. That gave the federal government more power over the national guard, and started the process of teaming up small units from different parts of the country to form regiments & divisions. Prior to the beginning of WWI, the old system of state units was gone.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:32 am
Cant say I know the exact date, but im sure the Base Realignment and Closures of 2005 doesn’t help. Technology has helped the military evolve well past WW2 levels. Needed a battalion of troops per region isn’t as economical anymore. Using larger more efficient bases reduces military spending and allows for the new toys.