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.

“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.”

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.”

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. 

We remain available for call up as the state or nation requires.