BATTERY B
Third U.S. Artillery Regiment
Rules and Regulations
Battery B
Third U.S. Artillery Regiment
A Unit of the American Civil War Association
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How officers are elected.
Commissioned Officers and Non-commissioned Officers are required to have verified qualifications and skills to carry out their duties safely and properly. Candidates must therefore be nominated by the Commanding Officer, who is responsible for verifying the candidates’ qualifications.
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Once nominated by the Commanding Officer, the candidates may serve as Acting Commissioned and Acting Non-commissioned officers until they are formally elected by the existing Commissioned and Non-commissioned officers of the Regiment on active duty (in good standing). Elections may be held at the annual meeting, or at any time that a special meeting is called for the purpose of electing officers.
Chain of Command.
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Elections
As the Third US Artillery Regiment is a new Unit of the American Civil War Association, the founding member is the de facto Commanding Officer of the Unit. He is responsible for the organization, recruiting, and all other functions necessary to establish the Unit and fulfill all requirements of the ACWA. He shall serve until such time as there are ten (10) other members in good standing--who are properly trained, uniformed, and are ready to "take the field" (or in the case of this Unit, the garrison). Once this milestone has been reached, elections will be held to choose future leadership within the Unit.
Command Officers
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The Commanding Officer is the highest ranking officer of the Unit. He serves until his death, resignation, or removal from office by a three-fourths super-majority of the membership of the Unit. By virtue of his office, he holds the rank of Captain.
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The Sergeant Major serves as the highest ranking non-commissioned officer of the Unit and is responsible for assisting the Commanding Officer as his Adjutant. Should the office of Commanding Officer be vacant, the Sergeant Major serves in his stead as Acting Commanding Officer with the rank of Brevet Second Lieutenant, until such time as a permanent Commanding Officer can be elected by a majority vote of the existing Commissioned and Non-commissioned Officers of the Unit in good standing.
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Appointed Positions
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The Commanding Officer may assign specific areas of responsibility by appointment, i.e.,
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The Quartermaster is responsible for the property and supplies of the Unit. He will, from time to time, provide an up-to-date inventory of the property of the Unit. He is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Commanding Officer.
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The Clerk is responsible for the keeping of records of the Unit, as well as the minutes of meetings of the Unit. He is also responsible for the Unit's funds, and will, from time to time, give an accounting of all revenues and expenditures. He is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Commanding Officer.
The Ordnance Sergeant is the primary Safety Officer of the Unit. He must possess the specific knowledge, skills, and experience to qualify him to handle explosives such as black powder (gun powder). A qualified Ordinance Sergeant must be present at all events where black powder is used and is responsible for the safe use and storage of black powder ammunition. He is also responsible for certifying that all personnel who—regardless of rank—have any reason to handle black powder in any manner have been qualified to do so safely.
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In addition to his ordnance duties, he is also responsible for the creation, maintenance, implementation, and enforcement of all safety protocols of the Unit, as well as those of the sponsoring organizations of events and venues where the Unit is present. He is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Commanding Officer.
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Cannoneer Officers.
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The Unit may also have one or more Commissioned Artillery Officers (cannoneers) who hold the rank of First Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant. To qualify for promotion to these ranks, the candidate must have demonstrated the requisite knowledge and experience to serve as a Chief of Section of an artillery battery, having previously qualified and served as a cannoneer in all positions, including as Chief of the Piece.
Non-Commissioned Artillery Officers (cannoneers) are nominated by the Commanding Officer and elected by the Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Artillery Officers (cannoneers) of the Unit. They must have demonstrated their knowledge and experience with artillery equipment. Gunners and #7 Position (responsible for the limber ammunition chest) hold the rank of Corporal. Chiefs of the Piece hold the rank of Sergeant.
Staff Positions:
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The unit may also have Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Staff positions.
They are appointed not for their qualifications to serve in combat scenarios, but rather, for their skills and experience performing other non-combatant functions for the unit. Examples would include surgeon, hospital steward, commissary, chief musician, etc. Staff positions are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Commanding Officer.
How unit funds are managed and tracked
As stated previously, the Clerk serves as the Treasurer of the Unit and is responsible for accounting for the funds of the Unit. He must give an accounting of all funds of the Unit at regular meetings, or at any time when requested by the Commanding Officer. Until such time, if ever, as the unit incorporates as a non-profit organization, funds will be entrusted to the Treasurer of the ACWA, for deposit in that organization’s bank account. Nothing, however, shall prevent the Clerk from keeping a small amount of petty cash on hand for the incidental expenses of the unit.
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Unit’s guidelines for membership.
The qualifications for membership in the unit are as follows:
For Artillery (cannoneer) members, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age and not have been convicted of a felony. He must not be a person prohibited from possessing a firearm under the laws of the United States and the State of California.
A candidate under the age of 18 but at least 16 years of age may not serve as a cannoneer where black powder is being used. He may, however, train for a cannoneer position in scenarios where black powder is not being used. A candidate under the age of 18 must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian to participate.
General Qualifications for Membership
All candidates for membership must also register and maintain membership in good standing in the American Civil War Association (ACWA), must pass the PACWR Safety Test, and must pay the required ACWA annual dues.
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