I think you are overestimating the colonies ability to create a standing army or navy. Keep in mind the states of as you have called them in your title, were colonies. This means they had no authority to create any form of professional military. Yes, militias were formed on occasion, but only with Royal Govenor approval. Such as in Lord Dunmore's war. No colony had its own professional, let alone militia navy. The colonies had literally the worlds most powerful navy to take care of there naval issues until the time revolution.