United States Infantry Branch

United States Infantry Branch
Unit name	United States Infantry Branch
Caption	Branch insignia of crossed rifles
Dates	1775–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Armed Forces
Type	Infantry
Role	Close combat, maneuver, reconnaissance
Size	Variable (regiment, brigade, division)
Garrison	Fort Benning, Fort Moore
Nickname	Infantry
Motto	Follow Me
Colors	Light blue
March	The Army Goes Rolling Along

United States Infantry Branch is the principal close-combat arm of the United States Army, responsible for seizing, occupying, and defending terrain through direct ground combat. The branch traces institutional lineage from Revolutionary War formations through conflicts including the War of 1812, Mexican–American War, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, and War in Afghanistan. Infantry formations have operated alongside elements from the United States Army Air Corps, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, and multinational partners in NATO, United Nations, and coalition operations.

History

Infantry origins date to the Continental Army raised by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 and regularized under the Militia Acts of 1792 and subsequent legislation. In the 19th century, infantry units fought in the Northwest Indian War, War of 1812, Mexican–American War, and on the frontier during the Indian Wars. The Civil War prompted the expansion and professionalization of volunteer and regular infantry regiments such as the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Industrial-era reforms after the Spanish–American War and the reforms of Secretary of War Elihu Root shaped modern staff and training systems. In World War I, American Expeditionary Forces infantry divisions under John J. Pershing deployed to the Western Front, while World War II saw infantry fight in theaters from Normandy to Iwo Jima and the Battle of the Bulge. Cold War conflicts including the Korean War and Vietnam War further evolved small-unit tactics. Post-Cold War operations in Panama (Operation Just Cause), the Gulf War, peacekeeping in the Balkans, and counterinsurgency in Iraq War and War in Afghanistan continued doctrinal adaptation.

Organization and Structure

Infantry units are organized at multiple echelons: squads, platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, and divisions. The branch fields light, airborne, air assault, mechanized, and Stryker infantry formations within formations such as the 1st Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 10th Mountain Division, and 4th Infantry Division. Regimental histories persist in units like the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and 75th Ranger Regiment. Combat brigades integrate with armor, artillery, aviation, engineer, intelligence, and sustainment units from organizations including United States Army Forces Command and United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. Higher headquarters include FORSCOM and TRADOC, while installations such as Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, and Fort Drum serve as maneuver, airborne, and mechanized centers.

Training and Doctrine

Basic and advanced infantry training occurs at centers including the United States Army Infantry School and its Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning/Fort Moore, with initial entry training alongside Fort Leonard Wood and other posts. Doctrine is codified in publications produced by TRADOC and United States Army Combined Arms Center, encompassing small-unit tactics, urban operations, mountain warfare, and amphibious operations developed with partners like the United States Marine Corps and NATO allies. Specialized qualifications include Airborne School at Fort Moore, Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Ranger School at Camp Rogers? Camp Rogers is incorrect—use Fort Benning? Ranger School at Fort Benning, and Sapper Leader Course. Combined arms exercises with units such as the National Training Center (Fort Irwin) and Joint Readiness Training Center (Fort Polk) test doctrine against opposition forces.

Roles and Missions

Infantry performs close-combat missions: assaulting defensive positions, conducting raids, patrolling, ambushes, reconnaissance, and security operations. Tasks range from conventional maneuver in contingency operations like Operation Desert Storm to stability and counterinsurgency missions in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Infantry supports joint campaigns alongside United States Central Command, United States European Command, and allied formations in NATO and coalition operations. In domestic contexts, infantry units may contribute to response under authority of the Insurrection Act and National Guard counterparts such as the Army National Guard for disaster relief.

Weapons and Equipment

Infantry weapons include service rifles such as the M16 rifle and M4 carbine, machine guns like the M249 SAW and M240 machine gun, sniper systems such as the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, anti-armor weapons like the AT4 and Javelin, and grenade launchers like the M320. Squad support integrates the M249 with crew-served weapons and indirect fires from artillery like the M777 howitzer and mortars. Vehicles include the M2 Bradley, Stryker, M1 Abrams in combined arms, and air transport from CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Communications and sensors involve systems procured through Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical and networks interoperable with Joint Tactical Radio System capabilities.

Insignia and Uniforms

Branch insignia centers on crossed rifles, with colors historically light blue. The infantry branch distinctive unit insignia and shoulder sleeve insignia appear alongside rank insignia regulated by the Department of the Army. Uniforms transitioned from the Service Uniform to the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and subsequent variants such as the Operational Camouflage Pattern; headgear includes the patrol cap, beret with distinctive unit flashes for airborne and ranger units, and helmet systems like the Advanced Combat Helmet. Awards commonly earned include the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and Medal of Honor for valor in infantry actions.

Notable Units and Operations

Historic and modern infantry units include the 1st Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 25th Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, and 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Notable operations featuring infantry prominence include the Landing at Normandy, Battle of Gettysburg, Battle of Antietam, Battle of Belleau Wood, Leyte Campaign, Battle of Ia Drang, Operation Husky, Operation Market Garden, Operation Overlord, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Just Cause.

Category:United States Army