In 1898, the 1st U.S. Volunteers command was approved and established by the 25th President of the United States and under Headquarters, US Army General Order, placed under the oversight of the U.S. Army as an armed deployable tactical war fighting combat force.

The founding 1st U.S. Volunteers (1USV) Command members and the members of the 1USV Command of today are distinguished in patriotic spirit, commitment to comrades in arms, dedicated loyal service and bravery in battle. Distinguished and notable Americans have risen from the 1 USV. The 26th President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize awardee and two Congressional Medal of Honor recipients are but a few of the distinguished personnel of the 1USV command, a command that was established and mustered out in less than one year. In battle, these “volunteers” suffered more combat casualties than the regulars, but secured more objectives, key terrain, advanced farther and secured the flanks of the regulars so that they were able to move forward and overcome the enemy containing them. The 1st U.S. Volunteers command’s proud historical war fighting accomplishments include combat victories that became forever a part of this Nation’s remembered legendary battle cries, battles and victories.

Today, the 1st U.S. Volunteers command is reconstituted and reformed and operates with a new mission statement. No longer is 1st U.S. Volunteers command an armed war fighting force. Its mission statement today and capability are strictly prescribed for only domestic operations on our own shores.

The 1USV command is a 19th Century concept with a 21st Century mission. The 1USV Headquarters Command of today, established as a Horse Cavalry Command, preserves the proud,distinguished and noble 1 USV lineage.

The two mission statements of the 1st U.S. Volunteers (1USV) command of today are prescribed below.

It is the mission of the 1st United Stated Volunteer Cavalry to conduct formal uniformed US military memorial honors for US military veterans at chapel, gravesite and military honors memorial “Roll Call” ceremonies.

To Conduct professional 1USV horse cavalry presence to successfully affect a favorable awareness of the 1USV Command, missions and reconnect the value of the equine presence in today’s world.