Rhode Island Independent Military Organizations Explained

Unit Name:	Rhode Island Independent Military Organizations
Dates:	1741–Present
Country:	United States
Type:	State defense force
Role:	Militia Honor guard Historical reenactment
Commander1:	Governor of Rhode Island
Commander1 Label:	Civilian Leadership
Commander2:	Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island
Commander2 Label:	State Military Leadership

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Artillery Company of Newport is Now Offering Tours of Their Military Museum . Ryan M. . Belmore . What's Up Newp . May 26, 2017 . 25 February 2021.
2. Web site: Rhode Island General Laws Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense, Chapter 30-4 Independent Military Organizations . . 2019 . 25 February 2021.
3. Web site: Rhode Island General Laws Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense Chapter 30-1 Militia Section 30-1-4 Classes of militia. . . 2019 . 25 February 2021.
4. Web site: Kentish Guards History. Kentish Guards. https://web.archive.org/web/20200403105332/http://www.kentishguards.org/brief-history.htm. 2020-04-03.
5. Web site: Rhode Island Military Units: Kingston Reds . Portsmouth History Notes . 12 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320151728/https://portsmouthhistorynotes.com/2022/10/22/rhode-island-military-units-kingston-reds/ . 20 March 2023 . Portsmouth, RI . 22 October 2022.
6. News: Guiot . Brian Edmund . Historic militia groups celebrate July Fourth at Greene homestead . 12 June 2023 . The Coventry Courier . 12 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210712170924/https://www.ricentral.com/coventry_courier/news/local_news/historic-militia-groups-celebrate-july-fourth-at-greene-homestead/article_ab344f80-e325-11eb-8408-335aff251192.html . 12 July 2021 . Coventry, Rhode Island.
7. Web site: Rhode Island General Laws Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense, Chapter 30-4 Independent Military Organizations Section 30-4-5 Naval militia battalion. . . 2019 . 25 February 2021.
8. Web site: Rhode Island Militia Chartered Organizations: Active Members, 1843-1849 . . 25 February 2021.
9. Web site: 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. . . 2019 . 25 February 2021.