The 129th Regiment Regional Training Institute (RTI) is headquartered at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, IL.
The unit' mission is to train current and future leaders in those skills and traits necessary to lead, train, coach, and mentor soldiers to United States Army standards.
The 129th Regiment's academic structure is based upon Battle-Focused instruction in a small group format. The Regional Training Institute's staff provides instruction in both the classroom and field environment. Certain subjects, such as, personnel and supply management, are more classroom oriented; while other subjects, such as tactics and land navigation, are more hands-on practical application and take place in the field.
On 1 December 1996, the IL Regional Training Institute became a Headquarters, 129th Infantry Regiment. This was a good change. Looking at its history, the regiment is an old and proud one, one that has been tried, tested and proven in many battles and theaters of war.
The record began nearly a century and a half ago when a "greeting" was sent out by the Territorial Government of the Territory of Illinois to form the original 129th Regiment.
The regiment lays claim to being active in many wars/campaigns to include the Black Hawk War, the Spanish American War, Cerro Gordo battle and in the Civil War with campaigns to include: Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Atlanta, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. After the Civil War, a reorganization took place as did many more throughout the years. The regiment was brought into federal service many times and brought pride and courage to its name.
The regiment participated in many more wars and campaigns that would be too numerous to mention. On 16 March 1954 with the reorganization of the Illinois Army National Guard, 15 units were awarded federal recognition. The last unit awarded federal recognition on 9 November 1954 completed the reorganization of the regiment as it is today.