Accordingly, the Troop operates under a number of principles of self-governance unique in the U.S. military, including the election of unit members and officers, voluntarily forgoing pay for military service to the country, continuing to practice horse cavalry skills and tactics, and recruiting a high percentage of its members from veterans of prior active duty service across all branches (many of whom resign past officer commissions to join), as well as older civilian mid-career professionals.

During the American Civil War, the First City Troop was called into active duty several times, beginning with the 1861 Campaign that led to the First Battle of Bull Run.

John J. Pershing said that "no National Guard organization in the country did more, relatively, in the First World War than" the First City Troop.

[4] Today, the First City Troop deploys overseas with the Pennsylvania National Guard in support of Army operations.

Soldiers on the active roll continue to donate their drill pay back to the unit, in order to maintain a tradition of voluntary service.