Military Service Institution of the United States

Last updated

The Military Service Institution of the United States was "a voluntary organization of officers of the Army for mutual improvement (the privileges of which are extended to officers of the National Guards of the States), fostered by Generals Sherman and Sheridan while they commanded the Army, and presided over by the senior major-generals, has now for many years been the constant means of widespread increase in the most advanced studies of the Science and Art of War." In his Annual Report (1892), Major-General John Schofield, commanding the Army.

Contents

The Institution

It was organized on September 28, 1878, in New York City, with the first annual meeting taking place in January 1879. The Act of Incorporation was on June 17, 1884. U.S. Army officers who created the organization believed there was a need for an organization dedicated to their professional development, similar to the Royal United Services Institute of Great Britain.

The design of the Military Service Institution contemplated professional unity and improvement by correspondence, discussion and the reading and publication of essays, the establishment of a military library and museum, and the promotion of the military interests of the United States. The organization's headquarters were located at Fort Columbus (later called Fort Jay) on Governors Island, New York.

The institution did not long survive its founders, becoming defunct by the end of World War I.

Membership

Membership Bowknot Ribbon Badge of the Institution (Colors red, blue, and yellow.) MSIUS ribbon badge.jpg
Membership Bowknot Ribbon Badge of the Institution (Colors red, blue, and yellow.)

The following named persons are eligible for full membership upon written application to the Secretary: Ex-officers of the Regular army of good standing and honorable record are eligible to membership by ballot; all officers of the Army and Professors and Cadets of the U. S. M. A. without ballot; officers of the Navy and Marine Corps are also entitled to full membership without ballot, but shall not be entitled to vote nor be eligible to office; all other persons of honorable record and good standing are eligible to Associate Membership upon written application, endorsed (except in case of the officers of the National Guard) by a member or associate member, by ballot of the Executive Council. Officers of the Organized Militia are eligible for Associate Membership upon written application, giving organization, rank and date of appointment.

The Journal

The Journal of the Military Service Institution of the United States, edited by Artillery officers William L. Haskin and James Clark Bush, was a bimonthly magazine devoted to the professional development of all branches of the service. [1] It contained original papers on subjects relating to the conduct of military operations, reprints and translations from the journals of other militaries, commentary on current events and topics of interest, and reviews of books relevant to the study of warfare.

Library and Museum

The Military Service Institution of the United States museum was opened on Governor's Island in New York Harbor in 1884. [2] It contained a collection of 10,000 books and manuscripts of interest; many volumes were from the private libraries of deceased officers and some are exceedingly rare publications.

The Museum contained relics and trophies of all wars and campaigns in which the United States has been engaged, as well as models and specimens of the latest improvements in war material, loaned by and renewed from time to time by the bureaus of the War Department. The Museum was shut down in 1924 due to declining attendance. [3]

Annual Prizes

Gold And Silver Medals

Military Service Institution of the United States Gold Medal. MSIUS Gold Medal.jpg
Military Service Institution of the United States Gold Medal.

First Prize. Gold Medal $100 and Life Membership.

Second Prize. Silver Medal, $50 and Honorable Mention.

For best two essays on topics of current military interest selected by the council: competition open to all eligible to membership; award on recommendation of Board chosen by Council: essays not less than 5,000 nor more than 10,000 words.

A Gold Medal prize was won by John Gibbon in 1881 for his essay on "The Indian question". [4]

The Seaman Prize

(Founded by Major L. L. Seaman, M.D., LL.B., late Surgeon, U. S. V.)

First Prize. One Hundred Dollars.

Second Prize. Fifty Dollars.

For best two essays on a subject selected by Major Seaman and approved by Council: competition open to all officers and ex-officers of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Marine Hospital Service, Volunteers or National Guard: in other respects same as Gold Medal prize except that essays are limited to 15,000 words.

The Santiago Prize

(Founded by the Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba.)

Prize. Fifty Dollars.

For "best article upon matters tending to increase the efficiency of the individual soldier, squad, company, troop or battery," published in the Journal M. S. I. during a twelvemonth; awarded upon recommendation of Board selected by President N. S. A. S. C.: competition limited to officers of the Army and National Guard below grade of Lieut.-Colonel: essays not less than 1,000 nor more than 5,000 words.

The Buford (Cavalry) Prize

Hunt Artillery Prize

Short Paper Prizes

Essays to be not less than 1,500 nor more than 3,500 words published in the Journal during twelve months.

Hancock Prize

Fifty Dollars and Certificate of Award.

For best short paper on matters affecting the Line of the Army. To be given for the best original essay or, paper, critical, descriptive, or suggestive on a subject directly affecting the Line, published in the Journal Op The Institution during the twelve months ending May 1 of each year and which has not been contributed in whole or in part to any other association, nor has appeared in print prior to its publication by the Institution, nor has been published in the Journal in any previous year, and excluding essays for which another prize has been awarded.

Fry Prize

Fifty Dollars.

For best short paper on matters affecting the General Service not covered by Hancock Prize. To be the same as the Hancock Prize and awarded upon the recommendation of a board of three members of the Institution, not line officers or members of the Executive Council, under the same regulations for papers or essays appearing in the Journal during the twelve months ending September 1 of each year on subjects directly affecting the military service and not otherwise provided for

Charter Directors

WINFIELD S. HANCOCK, President

GEORGE W. GETTY, vice-president.

JAMES B. FRY, Vice-president

STEPHEN W. BENET, Vice-president

THOMAS L. CRITTENDEN, Vice-president

WESLEY MERRITT, Vice-president

THEOPHILUS F. RODENBOUGH, Secretary

ROBERT CATLIN, Assistant Secretary

GEORGE F. PRICE, Treasurer

J. ESTCOURT SAWYER, Vice-Treasurer

Past Officers

Presidents.

WINFIELD S. HANCOCK, 1878–1886

JOHN M. SCHOFIELD, 1887–1897

NELSON A. MILES, 1898–1900

THOMAS H. RUGER, 1901-

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Academy of Sciences</span> Science branch of the United States National Academies

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Society of the Cincinnati</span> American lineage society

The Society of the Cincinnati is a fraternal, hereditary society founded in 1783 to commemorate the American Revolutionary War that saw the creation of the United States. Membership is largely restricted to descendants of military officers who served in the Continental Army.

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is an American financial services group of companies including a Texas Department of Insurance-regulated reciprocal inter-insurance exchange and subsidiaries offering banking and insurance to people and families who serve, or served, in the United States Armed Forces. At the end of 2020, it had more than 13 million members.

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It is awarded to every member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has served during any one of four specified periods of armed conflict or national emergency from June 27, 1950 through December 31, 2022. Combat or "in theater" service is not a requirement for the award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War</span> American congressionally chartered fraternal organization

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is an American congressionally chartered fraternal organization that carries out activities to preserve the history and legacy of the United States Armed Forces veterans who fought during the Civil War. It is the legal successor to the Grand Army of the Republic, the large and influential grouping of Union Army veterans that existed in the decades following the Civil War. Most SUVCW activities occur at the "Camp", or local community, level. In turn, Camps are grouped into state and/or regional structures called "Departments". The National organization, with headquarters at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, meets annually in a National Encampment that is attended by SUVCW members, known as "Brothers", from all Camps and Departments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Conduct Medal (United States)</span> United States military award

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Navy's variant of the Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal was temporarily discontinued from February 2006 to February 2009, followed by its subsequent reinstatement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veterans of Foreign Wars</span> Organization of U.S. war veterans

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), formally the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, is an organization of U.S. war veterans, who, as military service members fought in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign land, waters, or airspace. The organization was established twice separately, once by James C. Putnam on September 29, 1899, in Columbus, Ohio. The VFW is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The organization was congressionally chartered in 1936 under the Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), or simply the Loyal Legion is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by three veteran officers of the Army. The original membership was composed of members of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States, who had served during the American Civil War as commissioned officers in Federal service, or who had served and thereafter been commissioned, and who thereby "had aided in maintaining the honor, integrity, and supremacy of the national movement" during the Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts</span>

The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is the oldest chartered military organization in North America and the third oldest chartered military organization in the world. Its charter was granted in March 1638 by the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay and signed by Governor John Winthrop as a volunteer militia company to train officers enrolled in the local militia companies across Massachusetts. With the professionalization of the US Military preceding World War I including the creation of the National Guard of the United States and the federalization of officer training, the company's mission changed to a supportive role in preserving the historic and patriotic traditions of Boston, Massachusetts, and the Nation. Today the Company serves as Honor Guard to the Governor of Massachusetts who is also its Commander in Chief. The headquarters is located on the 4th floor of Faneuil Hall and consists of an armory, library, offices, quartermaster department, commissary, and military museum with free admission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walker Hancock</span> American sculptor

Walker Kirtland Hancock was an American sculptor and teacher. He created notable monumental sculptures, including the Pennsylvania Railroad World War II Memorial (1950–52) at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, and the World War I Soldiers' Memorial (1936–38) in St. Louis, Missouri. He made major additions to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., including Christ in Majesty (1972), the bas relief over the High Altar. Works by him are presently housed at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Library of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the United States Capitol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred Alexander Woodhull</span> American army surgeon

Alfred Alexander Woodhull was an American army surgeon. In 1885, he received the gold medal of the Military Service Institution and in 1907 the Seaman essay prize. Woodhull was the first to call to the attention of the service the necessity of co-operation between the medical and line officers in the promotion of military hygiene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies</span>

The Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) is a scholarly society dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about the former Soviet Union and Eastern and Central Europe. The ASEEES supports teaching, research, and publication relating to the peoples and territories within this area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of Foreign Wars</span> U.S. veterans and hereditary association

The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States (MOFW) is one of the oldest veterans' and hereditary associations in the nation with a membership that includes officers and their hereditary descendants from all of the Armed Services. Membership is composed of active duty, reserve and retired officers of the United States Armed Services, including the Coast Guard, National Guard, and allied officers, and their descendants, who have served during one of the wars in which the United States has or is engaged with a foreign power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Society of American Military Engineers</span>

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) unites public and private sector individuals and organizations from across the architecture, engineering, construction, environmental, facility management, contracting and acquisition fields and related disciplines in support of the United States' national security.

Navy Mutual, originally established as Navy Mutual Aid Association (NMAA), is a nonprofit, federally tax-exempt, mutual-benefit Veterans Service Organization (VSO) It was established in 1879 by naval officers for the purpose of providing life insurance and annuities to members of the sea services, and their families. Membership for the past decade has averaged 105,000 members. In 2016, Navy Mutual had over 141,000 military members and families insured under various plans; by 2019, the number of insurance plans increased to over 145,000 with a member retention rate of 98.4%. For seventeen consecutive years through 2020, Navy Mutual has earned a Fitch Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating of A+, with a Stable Rating Outlook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aztec Club of 1847</span>

The Aztec Club of 1847 is a military society founded in 1847 by United States Army officers of the Mexican–American War. It exists as a hereditary organization including members who can trace a direct lineal connection to those originally eligible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces Insurance</span>

Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) is a reciprocal insurance exchange that provides property and casualty insurance to military professionals throughout the United States and overseas. AFI is headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, approximately 20 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of the Dragon</span>

The Military Order of the Dragon was an exclusive fraternal order founded in 1900 by members of the China Relief Expedition, a U.S. military force that participated in the Boxer Rebellion in Imperial China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legion of Valor of the United States of America</span> Organization of U.S. war veterans

The Legion of Valor of the United States of America, commonly known as the Legion of Valor, is a war veterans' organization created to promote patriotic allegiance, fidelity to the United States Constitution, and popular support for civil liberties and the permanence of free institutions. Membership is open to recipients of the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross.

The Order of the Indian Wars of the United States (OIWUS) is a military society founded in 1896 by officers of the United States Army who served in campaigns against Native Americans from the American Revolution to the late 19th century.

References

  1. "The Military Service Institution". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . Brooklyn, NY. August 14, 1891. p. 2 via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Does War Belong in Museums?". Transcript Verlag Bielefeld. 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  3. "Does War Belong in Museums?". Transcript Verlag Bielefeld. 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  4. "1881 Military Service Institution Gold Medal, Awarded to General John Gibbon". Heritage Auctions. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.

Sources