| History of the United States Army |
| Branch of the United States Armed Forces |
| Founded | 14 June 1775 |
| Primary Role | Fighting land battles and military occupation |
| Significant Early Role | Continental Army founded during the American Revolutionary War against the British Army |
| Major Conflicts Participated | Including but not limited to American Civil War, World Wars, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, and War in Afghanistan |
| Transition | Air Force became independent in 1947; Army previously under War Department, now under Defense Department |
| Shift in Focus Post-Cold War | Mainly focused on Western Asia including participation in the Gulf War, Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan |
| Size | 452,689 active duty, 325,218 Army National Guard, 176,968 Army Reserve, 330,000 civilian personnel; Total: 1,073,200 uniformed personnel as of July 31, 2023 |
| Headquarters | The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S |
The United States Army traces its origins to the Continental Army, which was formed on June 14, 1775 by the Continental Congress to fight in the American Revolutionary War against the British. The Continental Army was initially led by George Washington and consisted of militia forces from the 13 colonies.
Origins of the Continental Army
In the early stages of the American Revolution, the colonial militias engaged in the Battles of Lexington and Concord against British forces in April 1775. To coordinate the war effort, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, appointing George Washington as the army’s commander-in-chief.The Continental Army suffered from a lack of training, supplies, and funding throughout the war. However, it achieved several key victories, including the Battles of Trenton and Princeton in 1776-1777. The army’s perseverance, along with assistance from France, ultimately led to the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781, securing American independence.
Transition to the United States Army
After the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army was disbanded in 1783. However, the need for a permanent military force was recognized, leading to the establishment of the United States Army in 1784. The Army initially consisted of a small force of infantry and artillery regiments.The Army played a crucial role in the War of 1812 against Britain and the Mexican-American War in the 1840s, which resulted in the acquisition of vast territories for the United States. During the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, the Army grew significantly in size, with over 2 million soldiers serving in the Union and Confederate armies.
Expansion and Modernization
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Army underwent significant modernization and expansion, participating in the Spanish-American War in 1898 and World War I from 1917 to 1918. The Army Air Corps, a precursor to the modern U.S. Air Force, was established in 1926.During World War II, the Army grew to over 8 million soldiers and played a pivotal role in the Allied victory, fighting in major campaigns across Europe and the Pacific. After the war, the Army underwent restructuring, with the Air Force becoming a separate branch in 1947.The Army has continued to play a vital role in subsequent conflicts, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the ongoing War on Terror. Today, the U.S. Army remains one of the world’s most powerful and technologically advanced military forces.