US Army

US Army
United States Army Institute of Heraldry · Public domain · source
Name	United States Army
Caption	Seal of the United States Army
Founded	14 June 1775
Country	United States
Branch	Department of the Army
Type	Land service branch
Role	Land warfare
Size	~450,000 active-duty (2024)
Garrison	The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
Motto	"This We'll Defend"
Colors	Army Green
Anniversaries	14 June (Army Birthday)
Commander1	President of the United States
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	Secretary of the Army
Commander2 label	Secretary
Commander3	Chief of Staff of the Army
Commander3 label	Chief of Staff

US Army The US Army is the principal land force of the United States, responsible for conducting sustained land operations and supporting national security objectives. It traces institutional lineages to the Continental Army and has participated in major conflicts including the American Revolutionary War, the Mexican–American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish–American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War. The Army develops doctrine, trains forces, and fields equipment to project combat power in cooperation with other services such as the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Space Force.

History

The Army's origins lie in the Continental Army created by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to oppose British forces during the American Revolutionary War, with figures like George Washington as commander. Post-independence, the Army fought in the Northwest Indian War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican–American War under leaders including Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor. During the American Civil War, armies under generals such as Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee transformed tactics and logistics. The late 19th century saw expeditionary actions in the Philippine–American War and the Spanish–American War.

In the 20th century, the Army expanded into a modern force for World War I under commanders like John J. Pershing and for World War II with leaders such as George S. Patton and Omar Bradley, fighting campaigns in the European Theatre and Pacific Theater of World War II. The Cold War era involved commitments in Korean War and Vietnam War along with NATO obligations exemplified by the Berlin Crisis and stationing in West Germany. Post-Cold War operations included Operation Desert Storm and humanitarian interventions, followed by prolonged counterinsurgency campaigns in Iraq War and War in Afghanistan.

Organization and Structure

The Army is organized under the Department of the Army with civilian leadership by the Secretary of the Army and military leadership by the Chief of Staff of the Army. Operational forces fall under combatant commands such as United States Central Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command. Major echelons include corps, divisions, brigades, battalions, companies, and platoons, with formations like the 1st Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division, and 10th Mountain Division. Specialized branches include Armor, Infantry, Aviation, Field Artillery, Signal Corps, Military Intelligence, Medical Command, and Corps of Engineers.

The Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve provide reserve components, coordinated with state governors and the President of the United States for federal activation. Institutional organizations include United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), and United States Army Materiel Command (AMC). Key installations include Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Fort Benning, Fort Campbell, and Fort Lewis.

Mission and Roles

The Army's statutory missions are detailed in Title 10 of the United States Code and encompass organizing, equipping, and training forces to fight and win wars, deter aggression, and support homeland defense. Roles include conventional combat operations, counterinsurgency, stability operations, humanitarian assistance exemplified by responses to Hurricane Katrina and international disaster relief, and support to civil authorities during emergencies. The Army supports joint operations with the United States Special Operations Command and coordinates with international partners through alliances such as NATO and security cooperation programs with countries like Japan and South Korea.

Personnel and Recruitment

Active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel are drawn through voluntary enlistment and commissioning sources including the United States Military Academy, Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and Officer Candidate School. Notable professional schools include the United States Army War College and the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Personnel management covers ranks from enlisted soldiers to commissioned officers, with award systems like the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Purple Heart recognizing valor and sacrifice. Recruitment and retention policies respond to demographic trends, force structure requirements, and legislation such as the Selective Service System registration mandates.

Equipment and Technology

The Army fields platforms including the M1 Abrams, M2 Bradley, Stryker, M109 Paladin, and rotary-wing aircraft like the AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk. Artillery, air defense, and unmanned systems include the Patriot missile system, various unmanned aerial vehicles such as the MQ-1 Predator and tactical UAS, and counter-drone technologies. Research and acquisition occur through programs managed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency partners and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command stakeholders, while sustainment is provided by United States Army Materiel Command. Modernization efforts include the Future Vertical Lift initiative, the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle program, and network initiatives like the Integrated Tactical Network.

Operations and Deployments

The Army conducts global deployments in support of combatant command missions, peacekeeping such as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stability operations in Iraq War and War in Afghanistan, and multinational training exercises like RIMPAC and Bright Star. Expeditionary logistics and base operations are managed in partnership with organizations such as United States Transportation Command and host-nation counterparts. Counterterrorism missions have included operations against Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and the Army maintains rotational presence in regions including Europe under Operation Atlantic Resolve and the Indo-Pacific under various bilateral exercises with Australia and Philippines.

Category:United States military forces