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.
The Institution.
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.
Membership.
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.
The Journal.
The "Journal of the Military Service Institution of the United States", was the oldest existing military magazine in the country exclusively controlled by professional soldiers and devoted to the interests of all branches of the service.
It contained original papers by officers of the Army, Marine Corps, Volunteers and Organized Militia on subjects relating to the Art and Science of War, together with reprints and translations from the leading foreign journals, comments on current topics and expert reviews of the latest books.
Library and Museum.
The Military Service Institution of the United States museum was opened
on Governor's Island in New York Harbor in 1884. It contained a collection of 10,000 books and manuscripts of interest; many volumes were from the private libraries of deceased officers and some are exceedingly rare publications.
The Museum contained relics and trophies of all wars and campaigns in which the United States has been engaged, as well as models and specimens of the latest improvements in war material, loaned by and renewed from time to time by the bureaux of the War Department.
The Museum was shut down in 1924 due to declining attendance.
Annual Prizes.
Gold And Silver Medals.
First Prize. Gold Medal $100 and Life Membership.
Second Prize. Silver Medal, $50 and Honorable Mention.
For best two essays on topics of current military interest selected by the Council: competition open to all eligible to membership; award on recommendation of Board chosen by Council: essays not less than 5,000 nor more than 10,000 words.
A Gold Medal prize was won by John Gibbon in 1881 for his essay on "The Indian question".
The Seaman Prize.
First Prize. One Hundred Dollars.
Second Prize. Fifty Dollars.
For best two essays on a subject selected by Major Seaman and approved by Council: competition open to all officers and ex-officers of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Marine Hospital Service, Volunteers or National Guard: in other respects same as Gold Medal prize except that essays are limited to 15,000 words.
The Santiago Prize.
Prize. Fifty Dollars.
For "best article upon matters tending to increase the efficiency of the individual soldier, squad, company, troop or battery," published in the Journal M. S. I. during a twelvemonth; awarded upon recommendation of Board selected by President N. S. A. S. C.: competition limited to officers of the Army and National Guard below grade of Lieut.-Colonel: essays not less than 1,000 nor more than 5,000 words.
Short Paper Prizes.
Essays to be not less than 1,500 nor more than 3,500 words published in the Journal during twelve months.
Hancock Prize.
Fifty Dollars and Certificate of Award.
For best short paper on matters affecting the Line of the Army. To be given for the best original essay or, paper, critical, descriptive, or suggestive on a subject directly affecting the Line, published in the Journal Op The Institution during the twelve months ending May 1 of each year and which has not been contributed in whole or in part to any other association, nor has appeared in print prior to its publication by the Institution, nor has been published in the Journal in any previous year, and excluding essays for which another prize has been awarded.
Fry Prize.
Fifty Dollars.
For best short paper on matters affecting the General Service not covered by Hancock Prize. To be the same as the Hancock Prize and awarded upon the recommendation of a board of three members of the Institution, not line officers or members of the Executive Council, under the same regulations
for papers or essays appearing in the Journal during the twelve months ending September 1 of each year on subjects directly affecting the military service and not otherwise provided for
Charter Directors.
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK, President
GEORGE W. GETTY, Vice-President.
JAMES B. FRY, Vice-President
STEPHEN W. BENET, Vice-President
THOMAS L. CRITTENDEN, Vice-President
WESLEY MERRITT, Vice-President
THEOPHILUS F. RODENBOUGH, Secretary
ROBERT CATLIN, Assistant Secretary
GEORGE F. PRICE, Treasurer
J. ESTCOURT SAWYER, Vice-Treasurer
Past Officers.
Presidents.
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK, 1878–1886
JOHN M. SCHOFIELD, 1887–1897
NELSON A. MILES, 1898–1900
THOMAS H. RUGER, 1901-