The following presents the governing documents of the Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) within the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. They are presented here in order to help ensure a wider distribution and, therefore, a better understanding of the rules and regulations of the SVR.

Section 1. The Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) shall constitute the authorized military component of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. It shall include all military bodies of the Order with the exception that Camps and Departments may maintain an independent military organization as a Camp Guard or Department Guard for parades, services and ceremonies under the auspices of the Camp or Department with which the unit is associated. The highest military rank attainable within any Camp or Department Guard shall be that of Captain. At all functions where Camp Guard units, Department Guard units and SVR units are participating, the highest ranking SVR commissioned or non commissioned officer shall have command of all military bodies of the SUVCW, regardless of the rank of an officer in a Camp Guard or Department Guard.

Section 2. To be eligible for and in order to maintain membership in the SVR, a Brother shall be a Member or Associate in good standing in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Section 3. The SVR shall be governed by the Constitution and Regulations of the Order and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the SVR, herein incorporated in these Regulations by reference. The responsibilities of the SVR shall include participation in ceremonies, programs and parades such as Remembrance Day, Lincoln Birthday, Memorial Day, and National Encampment programs, and at the request of the Commander-in-Chief, special ceremonies and parades on behalf of and representing the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Individual units of the SVR and individual members of SVR units may participate in non-SVR or SUVCW sponsored National Civil War reenactments, living histories and educational demonstrations. Non-SVR members of independent Civil War reenactment units may participate with the SVR at SVR or SUVCW sponsored events and/ or programs.

Section 4. The standing National Military Affairs Committee created under Chapter III, Article VII of these Regulations shall be composed of five (5) Brothers of the Order appointed by the Commander-in-Chief. The Committee shall have continuity of membership with the Commander-in-Chief appointing in 1997 three Brothers to serve two years and two Brothers to serve for one year, and, in subsequent years, appointing two (2) Brothers in even numbered years and three (3) Brothers in odd numbered years to serve for two years. The Chair of the National Military Affairs Committee shall be appointed from among the committee members by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Commander-in-Chief. The duties of the Committee shall include preparation of an initial SOP in 1997 and subsequent modifications of the SOP through proposed amendments, general oversight of the SVR, and, with the approval of the Commander-in-Chief, appointment of the Commanding Officer of the SVR. The SOP and any amendments thereof must be approved by the Commandery-in-Chief at the National Encampment.

Section 5. The Commanding Officer of the SVR shall be appointed by the National Military Affairs Committee with the approval of the Commander-in-Chief. The appointment shall be made for a period of not more than three (3) years and may be renewed for additional three (3) year terms subject to the same procedures used for the original appointment. The duties of the Commanding Officer of the SVR shall be to administer and command the SVR pursuant to the Regulations of the Order and the SOP. The rank of the Commanding Officer of the SVR shall not be higher that provided for in the SOP and based upon the total membership of the SVR. In no case may the rank of the Commanding Officer be higher than Brigadier General. Current and past SVR Commanding Officers holding ranks higher than that permitted according the SOP, may retain their current rank for the remaining period of the SVR appointment, adhere to the rank permissible under the SOP, transfer to the Cadre at their current rank, or retire from the SVR at their current rank. The Commanding Officer of the SVR may be relieved by a majority of the Military Affairs Committee, subject to the concurrence of the Commander-in-Chief.

Section 6. The SVR shall be administered by a national body known as the National Military Department, Sons of Veterans Reserve (NMD, SVR) The Commanding Officer of the SVR may appoint a NMD staff consistent with the SOP. All appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the Commanding Officer of the SVR. The period of all such appointments shall be made concurrent with that of the Commanding Officer of the SVR. Current holders of such appointments who hold ranks higher that the maximum provided for such appointments in the SOP may either adhere to the stated ranks, transfer to the Cadre at their current ranks or retire from the SVR at their current ranks. All NMD staff shall serve at the pleasure of the Commanding Officer of the SVR.