U.S. Army

United States Army
Emblem of the United States Army
Active	14 June 1775 – present
Country	United States
Type	Land force
Role	Ground-based military operations
Size	485,000 active personnel (as of 2021)
Garrison/HQ	The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia
Motto(s)	"This We'll Defend"
Colors	Black, gold, and white
March	"The Army Goes Rolling Along"
Anniversaries	June 14

The United States Army is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services and is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution. The Army is the oldest and most senior branch of the U.S. military in order of precedence.

History

The United States Army was established on June 14, 1775, by the Continental Congress as the Continental Army to fight in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). After the war, the Army was disbanded, but it was reestablished in 1784 as the United States Army.

Throughout its history, the U.S. Army has played a crucial role in major conflicts, including the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.

Structure

The U.S. Army is organized into several components:

• Active Component: The regular Army, which is the full-time component.
• Reserve Component: Includes the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.

The Army is divided into several commands, including:

• United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)
• United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)
• United States Army Materiel Command (AMC)

Roles and Responsibilities

The primary mission of the U.S. Army is to "fight and win our Nation's wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders." This includes:

• Combat Operations: Engaging in direct combat to defeat enemy forces.
• Peacekeeping: Participating in peacekeeping missions around the world.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Providing aid and support during natural disasters and crises.

Training and Education

The U.S. Army places a strong emphasis on training and education. Soldiers undergo rigorous training at various levels, including:

• Basic Combat Training (BCT): The initial training for new recruits.
• Advanced Individual Training (AIT): Specialized training for specific military occupational specialties (MOS).
• Professional Military Education (PME): Ongoing education for career development, including courses at the United States Army War College and the Command and General Staff College.

Equipment

The U.S. Army is equipped with a wide range of advanced weaponry and technology, including:

• Small Arms: Such as the M4 carbine and M16 rifle.
• Armored Vehicles: Including the M1 Abrams tank and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
• Artillery: Such as the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.
• Aircraft: Including the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter.

Also see

• United States Marine Corps
• United States Navy
• United States Air Force
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Space Force
• United States Department of Defense

References

• "The U.S. Army: A Complete History" by the Association of the United States Army
• "American Military History" by the Center of Military History, United States Army