Army facts for kids
An army is the part of a nation's military that fights on land. The people who serve in the army are called soldiers. Today, many armies use special vehicles like tanks, airplanes, and helicopters. These vehicles help soldiers move around and fight on the ground.
Soldiers can join the army because they want to; these are called volunteers. Sometimes, a government might ask or require people to join the army. This is known as conscription or the draft. Armies made of volunteers are often smaller but have very dedicated soldiers. Armies that use the draft can be very large.
Soldiers do many different jobs. They might defend their country or help other countries. They can also be assigned to guard important places. Soldiers need to be strong, both physically and mentally. They usually work together as a team. This helps them stay safer and get more done. A soldier's commander tells them what to do. Every soldier follows orders from someone above them, which keeps everything organized.
Sometimes, if an army is very busy, a country might hire civilians to help. These civilians might protect buildings or important people. They could also guard groups of trucks carrying supplies. Often, these hired civilians are veterans who used to be in the military.
Working in the army is called service. A soldier will say, "I serve as a Sergeant," not "I work as a Sergeant." Only civilians who work for the army, but don't wear a uniform, talk about "working" in the army.
Contents
What is Military Discipline?
The army works because of something called discipline. This means that every soldier must follow the orders they are given. They obey their superior officers or non-commissioned officers. There is one important rule: soldiers should not obey orders that are very wrong or break international laws. The way orders are given, from top to bottom, is shown by the military rank system.
What Gear Do Soldiers Use?
Soldiers are given special equipment to help them do their jobs. This includes guns and knives. They also get basic supplies for living in the field, like food, water, clothes, and tents. Soldiers must take good care of all their gear. Some soldiers even train to be doctors or do other helpful jobs for the army.
How Do People Join the Army?
Before someone can join the army, they must pass certain tests. This helps the army know if the person is ready. This training period is sometimes called 'boot camp'. Recruits must pass both mental and physical tests. How hard these tests are depends on the country's army. They also take tests to find out what job they would be best at. For example, someone good with computers might join the signal corps. Someone who likes to cook could become a cook for the soldiers. A person who was a construction worker might become a military engineer. Someone who is good at driving trucks might work in logistics. And someone who is very good with a rifle might become a sniper in the infantry. There are many different jobs you can do in the army!
What Are the Main Parts of an Army?
Armies usually have different main groups, often called branches. Here are some of the traditional ones:
- Infantry: These are foot soldiers who fight with rifles and other light weapons.
- Cavalry: These were traditionally soldiers who fought on horses. Today, tanks have replaced horses, and cavalry soldiers are often called tankers.
- Artillery: These soldiers operate large weapons like cannons and mortars. They help the infantry by providing fire support from a distance.
- Military engineers: These soldiers build things, like bridges, and also destroy things, like old buildings, using explosives.
- Signal corps: These soldiers handle all the communications. They work with radios, radars, and computers to send messages.
- Logistics: This group makes sure all the other parts of the army have what they need. They carry supplies like food, fuel, ammunition, and medicine to soldiers.
See Also
In Spanish: Ejército de tierra para niños
Images for kids
-
Azerbaijan Army corps at victory parade, 2020
-
The Gorkha regiment marching contingent of the Indian Army on parade
-
A bronze crossbow trigger mechanism and butt plate from the Warring States period (475-221 BCE)
-
A 2nd-century depiction of Roman soldiers on Trajan's column
-
Armies in the Middle Ages often included noble knights and hired foot soldiers.
-
Swiss mercenaries and German Landsknechts fighting at the Battle of Marignan (1515). Many armies during the Renaissance used mercenaries.
-
The colonels of the French Guards and British guards at the Battle of Fontenoy (1745).
-
The Battle of the Nations (1813) showed a change from armies of nobles to national armies.
-
Indian Army personnel during Operation Crusader in Egypt, 1941
-
An army can also have special units for air or sea support. This image shows the Italian Army 7th Army Aviation Regiment "Vega" moving troops with NH90 helicopters.
