Military Service Institution of the United States

The Military Service Institution of the United States was "a voluntary organization of officers of the Army for mutual improvement (the privileges of which are extended to officers of the National Guards of the States), fostered by Generals Sherman and Sheridan while they commanded the Army, and presided over by the senior major-generals, has now for many years been the constant means of widespread increase in the most advanced studies of the Science and Art of War." In his Annual Report (1892), Major-General John Schofield, commanding the Army.

It was organized on September 28, 1878 in New York City, with the first annual meeting taking place in January 1879. The Act of Incorporation was on June 17, 1884.

U.S. Army officers had felt the need for an institution similar to the Royal United Services Institute of Great Britain.

The design of the Military Service Institution contemplated professional unity and improvement by correspondence, discussion and the reading and publication of Essays, the establishment of a military library and museum, and, generally, the promotion of the military interests of the United States. The Rooms or Headquarters were located at Fort Columbus, renamed Fort Jay on Governors Island in New York harbor.

The institution did not long survive its founders, becoming defunct by the end of World War I.

The following named persons are eligible for full membership upon written application to the Secretary: Ex-officers of the Regular army of good standing and honorable record are eligible to membership by ballot; all officers of the Army and Professors and Cadets of the U. S. M. A. without ballot; officers of the Navy and Marine Corps are also entitled to full membership without ballot, but shall not be entitled to vote nor be eligible to office; all other persons of honorable record and good standing are eligible to Associate Membership upon written application, endorsed (except in case of the officers of the National Guard) by a member or associate member, by ballot of the Executive Council. Officers of the Organized Militia are eligible for Associate Membership upon written application, giving organization, rank and date of appointment.

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