Rhode Island Independent Military Organizations

Military unit

Rhode Island Independent Military Organizations

The Rhode Island Independent Military Organizations (also known as the Chartered Commands of the Rhode Island Militia) are a group of independently operated chartered militias in the state of Rhode Island, most of whose histories date back to the state's colonial and revolutionary history.^[1] Under Rhode Island law, they are considered part of state's organized militia forces but are explicitly distinct from Rhode Island's National Guard, State Guard, and Naval Militia.^[2][3] Today, these organizations are largely ceremonial and educational in purpose but are sometime called up for active civil service in minor capacities.^[4]

List of Chartered Organizations

Active

• Artillery Company of Newport
• Bristol Train of Artillery
• Gloucester Light Infantry
• Kentish Guards
• Kingston Reds (1775, rechartered 2019)^[5][6]
• Pawtuxet Rangers
• Providence Marine Corps of Artillery
• Warren Federal Blues
• United Train of Artillery
• Varnum Continentals
• Providence naval battalion^[7]

Defunct

• First Light Infantry of Providence
• Foster Artillery
• Johnston Guards
• Manville Light Infantry
• Narragansett Guards
• National Cadets of Providence
• Providence Horse Guards
• Rhode Island Guard of Warwick
• Rhode Island Guards No. 3 of Coventry
• Rhode Island Horse Guards
• Rifle Rangers of South Kingstown
• Sea Fencibles of Providence
• Washington Grenadiers
• Wickford Pioneers
• Woonsocket Guards

Sources:^[8][9]

See also

• Rhode Island National Guard
• Rhode Island State Guard
• List of United States militia units in the American Revolutionary War

References

1. Belmore, Ryan M. (May 26, 2017). "Artillery Company of Newport is Now Offering Tours of Their Military Museum". What's Up Newp. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
2. "Rhode Island General Laws Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense, Chapter 30-4 Independent Military Organizations". Justia. 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
3. "Rhode Island General Laws Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense Chapter 30-1 Militia Section 30-1-4 Classes of militia". Justia. 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
4. "Kentish Guards History". Kentish Guards. Archived from the original on 2020-04-03.
5. "Rhode Island Military Units: Kingston Reds". Portsmouth History Notes. Portsmouth, RI. 22 October 2022. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
6. Guiot, Brian Edmund (12 July 2021). "Historic militia groups celebrate July Fourth at Greene homestead". Coventry, Rhode Island: The Coventry Courier. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
7. "Rhode Island General Laws Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense, Chapter 30-4 Independent Military Organizations Section 30-4-5 Naval militia battalion". Justia. 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
8. "Rhode Island Militia Chartered Organizations: Active Members, 1843-1849". Rhode Island Department of State. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
9. "Rhode Island General Laws Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense, Chapter 30-4 Independent Military Organizations Section 30-4-3 Allowances for maintenance of armories". Justia. 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.