First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry

First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry's Unit Crest
Active1774–present
CountryUnited States of America
BranchArmy
TypeLight Cavalry Unit
SizeCompany
Garrison/HQ23rd Street Armory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Nickname(s)First City Troop, The Troop
Motto(s)"For These We Strive"
AnniversariesUnit Founding: November 17, 1774
Engagementsa
Websitehttps://firsttroop.com/history/
Commanders
Current CommanderCPT Timothy C. Lehotsky
Notable
commanders
CPT Abraham Markoe
Insignia
Standard of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalryd
Shoulder Insignia of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalryd
An 1812 illustration of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry by John Lewis Krimmel
Captain Joseph Lapsley Wilson of the First City Troop circa 1894
First Troop Armory in 1863

The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, also known as the First City Troop, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. It is one of the oldest military units in the United States still in active service and is among the most decorated units in the U.S. Army. Accordingly, the Troop operates under a number of principles of self-governance unique in the U.S. military, including the election of unit members and officers, voluntarily forgoing pay for military service to the country, continuing to practice horse cavalry skills and tactics, and recruiting a high percentage of its members from veterans of prior active duty service across all branches (many of whom resign past officer commissions to join), as well as older civilian mid-career professionals.[1]

It is the only U.S. military unit that owns its own armory building, built with private funds in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.

As of November 2017, the troop had 46 active members (33 drilling with the A-1/104th CAV), up from 35 in 2014.[1]

  1. ^ a b Phillips, Michael (October 15, 2014). "Philadelphia Is Looking for a Few Good Gentlemen". New York. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 21, 2014.