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The Veteran Corps of Artillery, State of New York is a military command based in Brooklyn, NY. Please refer to our about page for further information. Any citizen of the United States aged 18 years to 65 years of age, and of “good moral character” willing to volunteer in order to support our mission is welcomed to apply for enlistment. Please see our recruiting page for more details. “State of New York” has been part of our official name since our founding more than 230 years ago. Formal application for recognition as an independent New York Corps of Artillery was granted by George Clinton, Governor of the State of New York, on 8 March 1791. The VCA is recognized by federal and state law as part of the organized militia of the State of New York. The VCA has worn the uniform of the U.S. Army since early in its founding. Today the soldiers of the Veteran Corps of Artillery, State of New York are entitled by law to wear the uniform under the National Defense Act (Public No 85, 64th Congress – HR 12766) It states: “All Corps of Artillery, Cavalry or Infantry existing in any of the States on the passage of the Act of May 8th, 1792, which by law, custom or usage of said States has been in continuous existence since the passage of said Act under its provisions and under the provisions of Section 232 and Section 1625 to 1660, both inclusive of the title 16 of the Revised Statutes of 1873, and the Act of January 21st, 1903, relating to the Militia, shall, be allowed to retain its ancient privileges, subject nevertheless to all duties required by law of Militia; Provided, That said organizations may be a part of the National Guard and entitled to all privileges of the Act, and shall conform in all respects to the organization, discipline and training of the National Guard in time of War.” The VCA drills and trains in several locations including Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, and we execute missions at those and other military and public venues in the NYC area as required. Yes, under current law the VCA may volunteer for federal military service, or be called or ordered to such service, and may also be ordered to State military service. Under federal law, the VCA is part of the federal organized militia as well as the part of the state organized militia, and depending on the circumstances of its activation, may be part of either the military forces of the State of NY, the US Army National Guard or the US Army. By law, the VCA must conform to “the organization, training and discipline of the National Guard in time of war.” We remain available for call up as the state or nation requires. Yes. The VCA wears the uniform of the U.S. Army (with identifying devices), and, as such must represent the U.S. Army and the VCA in the same professional manner as those on Active Duty. The VCA conforms to U.S. Army Regulation AR 670-1 as it relates to uniform and grooming standards. In general, the VCA conforms to standard U.S. Army regulations. Soldiers not in compliance are subject to disciplinary action or discharge. Yes, any soldier in the VCA who has earned federal or state award, medals, devices, tabs, etc. can wear them on their VCA uniform. However, such medals and badges must be reflected on your discharge documents (e.g. DD214), and orders must be cut by the Adjutant specifically authorizing their wear on your uniform. Priorities are established by the specific service in which such decorations were earned. Any member who was entitled to wear a beret (as shown on their DD214) is entitled to wear that headgear instead of the standard U.S. Army beret. Potential recruits must be US citizens aged 18-65, in good health, and able to attend missions and drills in the NYC area. Also, because we work on active U.S. military installations, all prospective soldiers must consent to a federal background check. Any applicant with a felony on their record must be denied entry in the VCA according to applicable laws. All applicants are subject to a federal background check. Anyone who does not want to have a background check run should not apply to enlist. The VCA runs the only USFAA chapter in New York City and the downstate NY area. Current members of the USFAA may transfer their membership to our chapter if it is convenient for you to do so due to your location. New members may apply to join the VCA chapter of the USFAA by filling out the form here. You will then be contacted by email for further information.
Federal duty, if under call, is unlikely to be OCONUS (outside the continental United States); however, a state call can be to duty outside the state or OCONUS. The VCA can also volunteer for federal or state duty, in which case there would be no geographic limit on where we could be deployed.