Does anyone know who the first commissioned Officer in the US military was? One would assume George Washington, but who knows for sure?

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 21:47:56 -0400

I can not find any source that shed much light on this. The topic came up when I was asked a question about who can administer the Oath of Office during an Officer's promotion. In the process, I learned that a CW2 is a commissioned officer. I've been in about 15 years and and still am learning new things!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 9:51 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 21:51:10 -0400

There had already been battles fought by the time Washington was appointed. Good question.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 9:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 21:53:09 -0400

That’s a good question. My commander actually told us about the CW2 a few weeks ago when one of our chiefs was promoted

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Apr 17 at 2018 10:34 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:34:04 -0400

Washington was the first commissioned officer, He was commissioned by the Continental Congress. The Army was created in June, 1775 and Washington was elected as its commander. John Handcock was the president of the Continental Congress at that time. Washington reported to Handcock and Congress.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:34 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:34:49 -0400

Lemme give that one some thought....I'd expect the NARA website for Natl Archives or the NPRC website for the record ctr in St Louis would likely know...?look upeVetRecs, it's used to get family records or one's own records, I'd suppose you could submit annhostorical request to just ask, they d eventually mind it in the Revolutionary War archives, I'd expect, you know!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:39 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:39:54 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Army

You'll want this, trust me....

Continental Army - Wikipedia

The Continental Army was formed by the Second Continental Congress after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in their revolt against the rule of Great Britain. The Continental Army was supplemented by local militias and troops that remained...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:43 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:43:03 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_troops

I know it first started in Massachusetts for the Army, that was recounted in the HBO series on John Ada!s, I explicitly saw that !mentioned....that series was pretty accurate, actually....

Colonial troops - Wikipedia

Colonial troops or colonial army refers to various military units recruited from, or used as garrison troops in, colonial territories.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:45 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:45:20 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Naval_Militia

Read this....

Massachusetts Naval Militia - Wikipedia

The Massachusetts Naval Militia (at first called the Massachusetts Colonial Navy and later the Massachusetts State Navy), was a naval militia active during the American Revolutionary War was founded December 29, 1775, to defend the interests of Massachusetts from Great Britain's forces.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:48 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:48:12 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_O%27Brien

I've got a sneaking hunch he might actually ne the one, when Massachusetts started its naval militia...I could be wrongz of course, howeverz I'd hazard hjim as a guess, honest....

Bad title - Wikipedia

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:49 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:49:05 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_O'Brien

I re-sent the link....

Jeremiah O'Brien - Wikipedia

Captain Jeremiah O’Brien (1744–1818) was a captain in the Massachusetts State Navy. Prior to its existence (or that of the Continental Navy), he commanded the sloop Unity when she captured the British armed schooner HMS Margaretta in the Battle of Machias, the first naval battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:50 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:50:27 -0400

I think that link should mwork now, I think he might've been na!ed before George Washington...of course, one could always debate such a thing endlessly, however, he's my best guess, honest...if I find anyone earlier, I'll try to send it, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:52 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:52:09 -0400

Yeah, I just checked again, I thinkmjes actually pretty close...if you find anything earlier, of ne eager to know, OK? That was an interesting point, certainly....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 17 at 2018 10:54 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:54:01 -0400

And yeah, I'd heard that about a CW2, I had seen that before, there's a legal difference in that regard between a WO1 and CW2, that is true, I'd run across that one before, I'm fond of such minutiae and trivia also....