Today, only its 1st Battalion remains active; being allotted to the 92nd Military Police Brigade of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard.

However, on February 12, 1870, the militia were reduced to en cadre until their disbandment in April 1898 after Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States.

[a] Almost two decades after, on 1917 and at the brink of World War I, Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship.

The 296th Infantry subsequently organized its 3rd Battalion from 18-25 August 1940, with the headquarters federally recognized at Ponce.

While the 65th Infantry Regiment was on its way, the 296th was mobilized on September 14, 1952, so that it could provide replacements to its sister company deployed in Korea, like many other National Guards did.

Most recently, the 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment was deployed in 2002 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the Global War on Terrorism.