I believe the U. S. Constitution prohibits the presence of an active "Standing army..." within the borders of the United States of America; one of the problems Lincoln wrestled with in the mid-to-late 1860's, which I believe he negotiated successfully by declaring Martial Law and a national State of Emergency.
The more astute constitutional scholars than I really should weigh in here though, as I am guessing from what little I remember from high school history & civics.
;-/
"I believe the U. S. Constitution prohibits the presence of an active "Standing army..." within the borders of the United States of America; one of the problems Lincoln wrestled with in the mid-to-late 1860's, which I believe he negotiated successfully by declaring Martial Law and a national State of Emergency."
Actually, you are correct. There is no provision within the Constitution for an army - for a Navy, yes.
However, within our nation's last hundred years or so, it became apparent we needed such. So, we need a Constitutional Amendment to change that.
In this day of hi-tech weaponry and smaller world, the US cannot rely on a civilian Militia to counter our enemies, as much as some dream we should.