the delegates of the constitutional convention (the founding fathers/framers of the united states constitution) under article 1; section 8, clauses 15 and 16 of the federal constitution, granted congress the power to "provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia", as well as, and in distinction to, the power to raise an army and a navy. the us congress is granted the power to use the militia of the united states for three specific missions, as described in article 1, section 8, clause 15: "to provide for the calling of the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions." the militia act of 1792 clarified whom the militia consists of: