Regimental Policies of the Third Regiment, USV

Adopted January 23, 2010

 

              I.      Premise and Mission

a.      The 3rd Regiment of the United States Volunteers (“3rd Regiment”) seeks to portray a typical Union Army unit of the American Civil War, in as accurate a manner as possible, thus promoting the learning experiences of its membership and the education of the general public.

b.      The 3^rd Regiment is organized on the following principles and values:

                                                               i.      Safety is the first concern and responsibility of all participants.

                                                             ii.      To honor those who served in the American Civil War, to educate the public, and to enjoy the fellowship of our fellow members.

                                                            iii.      Support for events and scenarios based upon history, with unit specific researched scenarios, historical force ratios, accurate combat distance, and background information so units and participants can properly research their role in the event or scenario.

                                                           iv.      Support for events and activities that support historic preservation and public education.

                                                             v.      Preference for events that require pre-engagement walkthroughs for all field grade commanders and their staffs from both sides so that the troops and the public experience the best interpretation possible. This also creates ownership and mutual accountability.

 

            II.      Administrative and General Policies

a.      The 3rd Regiment, being a subdivision of the United States Volunteers (“USV”), shall follow all by-laws, regulations, and standard operating procedures of said organization.

b.      The Commander and all field officers are elected in accordance with the bylaws of the USV.

c.      All officers, non-commissioned officers and elected representatives of the 3rd Regiment, or one of its member organizations, are responsible for the enforcement of all rules and regulations.

d.      Any line companies of the USV wishing to transfer to the 3rd Regiment, may do so through the normal procedure as prescribed in the by-laws of the United States Volunteers. Additionally, a positive vote of two-thirds of the voting representatives of the 3rd Regiment must be attained before transfer can be approved by the 3^rd Regiment’s commanding officer (“Commander”).

e.     All member units of the 3^rd Regiment must adopt and enforce the Safety Standards of the USV, at a minimum.

f.        All member units must agree to observe and enforce all of the 3^rd Regiment’s established policies, by-laws, resolutions, lawful orders on the field by elected military commanders and established safety standards.

g.      Voting & Representation: When elected representatives of member organizations cast votes on behalf of their units, it is understood that they have the authority and support of their home unit. If an elected representative is not authorized or otherwise able to act on behalf of their home unit, the representative is expected and honor-bound to abstain from voting. Voting on key issues may be organized in certain circumstances to allow for subsequent ratification by member units if necessary to obtain support for an issue.

h.      Quorum, Eligibility and Notice: To conduct business, at least forty percent of the eligible 3^rd USV Regimental voters, based upon eligibility established by the USV bylaws, need to be present for a quorum. Decisions will be based upon majority vote unless otherwise established elsewhere in these Polices. Notice of any Regimental business meeting must be conveyed to the eligible voting members at least 30 days prior to any such meeting. The commanding officer, in consultation with the elected company and battalion officers, is authorized to temporarily act or speak on behalf of the Regiment between official business meetings as needed.

 

          III.      Operational Policies

a.      The 3rd Regiment shall prescribe to all event rules and regulations.

b.      The 3rd Regiment shall strive to portray a single infantry organization. Historical representation will reflect the scenario of any given event. The battalion shall seek to represent its member companies as specific scenarios allow. To achieve this end all soldiers shall adopt the standard issue uniform of the United States Infantry 1861-1865.

c.      The camp of the 3rd Regiment shall be exclusively for soldiers. Civilians may establish camp near the battalion. During bivouac events, the civilians of the 3rd Regiment shall establish camp with the 1st and 2nd Regiments.

d.      Displayed colors and/or guidons must be in accordance with chosen portrayals. Individual companies should refrain from the display of flags on their company streets.

e.      No non-typical portrayals such as Zouave, Marine, Chassuer, or Sharpshooter will be adopted by the 3^rd Regiment without unanimous consent of the line company commanders. Corps badges should be worn only for appropriate scenarios.

f.        The drill manual for the 3rd Regiment shall be Infantry Tactics by Silas Casey, 1862, unless otherwise indicated by command.

g.      The Commander shall appoint a Civilian Coordinator to oversee non-military activities at Battalion events. The Civilian Coordinator shall act as the official liaison between the civilians and military. The civilians may opt to elect their own representative in lieu of an appointee.

h.      No illegal drugs. THIS IS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.

i.        No excessive drinking will be permitted.

j.        Only commissioned officers will be allowed to carry side arms.

k.      No modern weapons, period.

l.        Detailed standards for operational activities are listed in Addendum #1.

 

          IV.      Field Standards

a.      Safety Standards

                                                               i.      The 3^rd Regiment enforces the USV Safety Standards at all events.

                                                             ii.      Company level weapons inspections and clearing shall be conducted prior to all battalion formations to reduce the incidence of clearing fouled weapons and resolving problems at that level.  The desired outcome would be to fire the required round with no problems and rapid progression to brigade formation.

b.      Drill Standards

                                                               i.      The 3^rd Regiment will always will have a nine man color guard, or the colors will not be displayed.

                                                             ii.      Maintain functional left and right guides for each line company.

                                                            iii.      Sergeants never fire in battle. They serve as file closers and ensure safety.

                                                           iv.      Color Guards and General Guides are properly instructed and employed in advancing in line, marching by the flank, and marching in column.

                                                             v.      In successive formations, captains should halt their companies well before the line of battle, establish guides, get assurance of their alignment, then dress their company.  When the adjacent company is dressed and fronted, bring your company to support arms.

                                                           vi.      If coming on line in successive formation, and firing is to commence, the company must wait until the next successive company is dressed and fronted. This prevents firing into an unaligned company flank.

                                                          vii.      No one will obstruct the rear of the line during firing. This area is exclusively for the commander to see his line captains, and vice versa. Musicians, and other attached staff will be placed to the rear of the commander.

                                                        viii.      Right wing companies should approach dress parades from the left flank, left wing companies from the right flank.

c.      Camp Standards

                                                               i.      Always be prepared to move camp at a moment's notice, except in cases when the scenario calls for a stationary encampment.

                                                             ii.      Always maintain an accurate military camp 24 hours a day. The use of cots, coolers, and other modern materials or scenario anachronisms are discouraged.

                                                            iii.      Always establish a color line with stacked arms from reveille roll call to tattoo roll call.

                                                           iv.      Shelter tents or bed rolls are used for all campaign portrayals. Common tents are discouraged, except for specifically identified garrison portrayals.

                                                             v.      Camp daily routines will conform as closely as possible with Army Regulations, at the control of the commander.

                                                           vi.      Line companies will be required to conduct roll call three times a day, at reveille, retreat, and tattoo.

                                                          vii.      First person portrayals and experiences are highly valued. Activities and conversations should always be of the period. Proper military customs are followed at all times.

                                                        viii.      Dress parades will be held at every event, usually every Saturday evening, unless the event scenario dictates otherwise. Orders shall be published for the following day.

                                                           ix.      It shall be standard procedure each day to have a guards posted and an officer of the day on duty.

                                                             x.      An authenticity inspection shall be conducted by the Adjutant and Sgt. Major following submission of collated morning report each morning.

                                                           xi.      Orders of the day available from HQ Saturday AM by the time morning reports are being submitted by the Orderlies.

                                                          xii.      Standardized scheduled dress parade on Saturday evening including colors presentation and announcement of orders of the day for Sunday. 

d.      Leadership and Organizational Standards

                                                               i.      Names of the right and left guides shall be submitted in advance of an event and to be posted by the adjutant as part of the order of battle.  The orderly sergeants shall submit projected attendance lists, with names, to the adjutant on Friday night with annotations made on the Saturday morning report explaining variances.

                                                             ii.      Pre-battle walkthroughs for all field grade commanders and their staffs from both sides should be required, so that the troops and the public receive the best interpretation possible, and also create ownership and mutual accountability. Whenever the proper execution of a scenario fails, the respective commanders should be required to meet with whatever officers they deem necessary, afterwards, to answer for what transpired. If this happens to be a recurring problem with the same individuals and/or organizations, removal from the event and future sanctions should be required.

                                                            iii.      All officers and NCOs are prepared to bump up or bump down in rank at any time.

                                                           iv.      Regimental command will distribute as much pre-event information (such as schedule, impression, etc) as possible no later than three days prior to the event.

                                                             v.      Line Companies have succession plans ready for battalion assignments for OOD, OOG, NCOs.

                                                           vi.      Line Companies should strive to instruct multiple NCOs in their duties.

                                                          vii.      Line Captains are captains of the line. Their position in line of battle is in the front rank of their company. They are responsible for the control, the dress, and the alignment of the battalion.

                                                        viii.      Line company commanders are responsible for their respective companies, in the field and in camp, including when operating as a composite company. Line commanders are obligated to communicate with their units prior to the events to ensure maximum quality, authenticity, fun and safety in the field.

                                                           ix.      Members will be able to perform the basics of skirmish and other drills by the bugle.

                                                             x.      A period of instruction, of some nature, shall be habitual at each event.

 

            V.      Uniform and Material Standards

a.      The official uniform and material standards of the 3^rd USV are maintained as Addendum #1 to these Policies.

 

          VI.      Other

a.      Amendments

                                                               i.      These policies and resolutions may be amended by majority vote of the eligible elected representatives of member units in good standing. Any proposed alterations to these policies need to be distributed to the voting members at least thirty days prior to any scheduled vote.

b.      Suspension

                                                               i.      The commanding officer, in consultation with the elected company and battalion officers, is authorized to temporarily suspend rules based upon safety, scenario or other such conditions, when on the field.

 

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