United States Army facts for kids

Quick facts for kids United States Army
Service Mark of the United States Army Wordmark
Founded	3 June 1784 (241 years, 3 months) (in current form) 14 June 1775 (250 years, 3 months) (as the Continental Army)
Country	United States
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	452,823 active duty personnel 328,084 Army National Guard personnel 170,601 Army Reserve personnel 946,961 total uniformed personnel (official data as of June 30, 2025) 223,382 civilian personnel 4,406 crewed aircraft
Part of	United States Armed Forces Department of the Army
Headquarters	The Pentagon Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Motto(s)	"This We'll Defend"
Colors	Black, gold and white
March	"The Army Goes Rolling Along"
Mascot(s)	Army Mules
Anniversaries	Army Birthday: 14 June
Equipment	List of U.S. Army equipment
Engagements	See list Revolutionary War War of 1812 Mexican–American War Civil War Indian Wars Spanish–American War China Relief Expedition Philippine–American War Mexican Expedition World War I Russian Civil War World War II Korean War 1958 Lebanon crisis Vietnam War Dominican Civil War Korean DMZ Conflict Invasion of Grenada Invasion of Panama Somali Civil War Persian Gulf War Kosovo War Global War on Terrorism War in Afghanistan Iraq War Operation Inherent Resolve Battle of Khasham
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief	President Joe Biden
Secretary of Defense	Lloyd Austin
Secretary of the Army	Christine Wormuth
Chief of Staff	GEN Randy George
Vice Chief of Staff	GEN James J. Mingus
Chief Warrant Officer of the Army	CW5 Kevin B. Noblit
Sergeant Major of the Army	SMA Michael Weimer
Insignia
Flag
Field flag
Logo

The United States Army (USA) is the main land-based part of the United States Department of Defense. It is known as the Army of the United States in the country's Constitution. The Army works under the guidance of the Secretary of Defense. It is one of the six armed forces and one of the eight uniformed services in the U.S. The Army is the oldest branch among the armed services.

Its beginnings trace back to the Continental Army, which formed on June 14, 1775. This army fought against the British for independence during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). After the Revolutionary War, the Congress of the Confederation created the United States Army on June 3, 1784. This new Army replaced the Continental Army, which had been disbanded.

The U.S. Army is part of the Department of the Army. This department is one of three military departments within the Department of Defense. A civilian leader, the Secretary of the Army (SECARMY), heads the U.S. Army. A chief military officer, the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), also leads it. The CSA is also a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Army is the largest military branch. As of June 30, 2025, it has over 946,000 uniformed personnel. This includes active duty soldiers, Army National Guard members, and Army Reserve members. The Army's main job is "to fight and win our Nation's wars." It does this by providing strong land power in all types of military operations. The Army works worldwide as the main ground force for defense and offense for the United States.

What is the U.S. Army?

The United States Army is the main land-based part of the United States Department of Defense. It helps protect the country and its interests.

The Army's Main Goals

The Army's purpose is clearly defined in U.S. law. Its main goals include:

• Keeping the peace and safety of the United States. This also covers U.S. territories and any areas where U.S. forces are present.
• Supporting the country's overall plans and policies.
• Carrying out national goals.
• Stopping any nations that act aggressively and threaten the peace and safety of the United States.

How the Army Plans for the Future

In 2018, the Army shared its "Army Strategy 2018." This plan outlined goals for the Army up to 2028. While the Army's main mission stays the same, this strategy helps improve how the Army works. It focuses on larger groups of soldiers, like corps and divisions. The Army Futures Command leads efforts to update the Army for modern warfare. The Army's current plan to reorganize its forces is ongoing, with a goal to finish by 2028.

Key Skills of the Army

The Army has five main strengths:

• Fighting on land quickly and for long periods.
• Working with different types of military units, including tanks, armored vehicles, and airborne troops.
• Using special operations forces for unique missions.
• Preparing and supporting military operations for all branches of the armed forces.
• Combining national, international, and joint military power on land.

A Brief Look at Army History

How the Army Began

The Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775. It was a unified army for the American colonies to fight against Great Britain. George Washington was chosen as its first commander. Early leaders learned from the British Army and colonial militias. Later, help from France also shaped the new army. European soldiers like Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben taught the Army important tactics.

The storming of Redoubt No. 10 during the Siege of Yorktown in the American Revolutionary War. This event led to peace talks.

The Army fought many battles during the Revolutionary War. Sometimes, they used clever strategies to wear down British forces. Washington led important victories at Trenton and Princeton. With a major win at Yorktown and French support, the Continental Army won independence.

After the war, the Continental Army was disbanded. People at the time were wary of large standing armies. State militias became the main ground force. However, ongoing conflicts with Native American tribes soon showed the need for a trained army. The Regular Army was small at first. After a major defeat, it was reorganized as the Legion of the United States in 1791. It was renamed the United States Army in 1796.

In 1798, during a time of tension with France (the Quasi-War), Congress planned for a larger "Provisional Army." While these armies mostly existed on paper, equipment was gathered.

Major Conflicts of the 1800s

The War of 1812

The War of 1812 was the second and last major conflict between the United States and Great Britain. It involved fighting in the North, South, and at sea. Native American tribes fought on both sides. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent. It led to over two centuries of peace between the two nations.

Seminole Conflicts

The U.S. had a long period of conflicts with the Seminoles in Florida, lasting over 50 years. Traditional military strategies were difficult to use against them. This was due to Florida's climate and the long history of conflicts among tribes in the region.

The Mexican-American War

The U.S. Army fought and won the Mexican–American War. This war was a very important event for both countries. The U.S. victory led to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty gave a large amount of land to the United States. This land includes modern-day California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

The American Civil War

The Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War.

The American Civil War was the deadliest war in U.S. history. Many southern states, which allowed slavery, formed the Confederate States. They created the Confederate States Army. The United States (the "Union" or "the North") formed the Union Army. This army included regular units and many volunteers from all states except South Carolina.

The war lasted four years. The Union Army eventually won, leading to the end of slavery and the reunification of the country. The conflict resulted in the deaths of about 620,000 men on both sides.

Late 19th Century Army Roles

Army soldiers in 1890.

After the Civil War, the U.S. Army worked to manage Native American tribes on Indian reservations. They built many forts and fought in the last of the American Indian Wars. U.S. Army troops also stayed in several Southern states during the Reconstruction Era. Their job was to protect newly freed people.

The Spanish–American War of 1898 involved the Army in land campaigns in Cuba. The Army also played a key role in the Philippine–American War.

The Army in the 20th Century

Starting in 1910, the Army began using fixed-wing aircraft. During the Mexican Revolution, the Army was sent to U.S. border towns. This was to keep people and property safe. In 1916, a rebel leader named Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico. This led to a U.S. military action in Mexico until 1917.

World Wars I and II

U.S. Army troops attacking a German bunker in France, around 1918.

The United States joined World War I in 1917. U.S. troops went to the Western Front in Europe. They helped in the final attacks that ended the war in November 1918. After the war, the Army reduced its size.

In 1939, the Army had between 174,000 and 200,000 soldiers. General George C. Marshall then worked to make the Army larger and more modern for a possible war.

U.S. soldiers searching for Japanese forces during the Bougainville Campaign.

The United States entered World War II in December 1941. About 11 million Americans served in the Army during this war. On the European front, U.S. Army troops helped invade North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. They also played a central role in the landings in France in June 1944. This led to the liberation of Europe and the defeat of Nazi Germany.

In the Pacific War, U.S. Army soldiers fought alongside the United States Marine Corps. They helped capture Pacific Islands from Japanese control. After the war ended in 1945, Army troops occupied Japan and Germany. In 1947, the Army Air Forces became a separate branch, the United States Air Force. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman ordered the Army to end racial segregation.

The Cold War Era

U.S. Army soldiers watching an atomic bomb test during the Korean War.

After World War II, the world entered the Cold War. This was a period of tension between the East and West. When the Korean War began in June 1950, the U.S. sent hundreds of thousands of troops. They fought to prevent North Korea from taking over South Korea. The war ended in July 1953, returning the peninsula to its original state.

U.S. and Soviet tanks at Checkpoint Charlie, 1961.

During the Cold War, U.S. troops also fought communist forces in Vietnam. The Vietnam War was a difficult time for the Army. U.S. forces were stationed in South Vietnam from 1959. Large numbers were deployed after 1965. They faced challenges against guerrilla tactics used by the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army.

A U.S. Army infantry patrol moving to attack a North Vietnamese Army position in South Vietnam.

In the 1960s, the Army changed its reserve forces. The number of divisions in the Army National Guard was reduced. However, the total number of soldiers in the National Guard remained the same.

From Vietnam to the 1990s

U.S. Army soldiers preparing to take La Comandancia in Panama City during Operation Just Cause.

After the Vietnam War, the Army adopted the "Total Force Policy." This policy treated the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve as one force. This meant that major operations would need all three parts of the Army. The Army also became an all-volunteer force. It focused more on training soldiers to high standards.

The 1980s saw the Army reorganize. The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 created unified commands. These commands brought together all military services under single leaders for different regions or tasks. The Army also took part in operations in Grenada in 1983 and Panama in 1989.

As the Cold War ended around 1989, the Army began to plan for a smaller force. They aimed to reduce the number of soldiers.

The Gulf War and Peacekeeping

M1 Abrams tanks moving before the Battle of Al Busayyah during the Gulf War.

In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. U.S. ground forces quickly moved to protect Saudi Arabia. In January 1991, Operation Desert Storm began. This was a U.S.-led effort with over 500,000 troops, mostly from the U.S. Army. They drove out Iraqi forces, achieving a complete victory. Some of the largest tank battles in history happened during the Gulf War.

Iraqi tanks destroyed by U.S. forces during the Gulf War, February 1991.

After Operation Desert Storm, the Army did not have major combat operations for the rest of the 1990s. However, it did participate in several peacekeeping missions.

The Army in the 21st Century

U.S. Army Rangers on a raid during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan.

On September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack hit the Pentagon. In response, U.S. and NATO forces invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. They removed the Taliban government. The U.S. Army also led the invasion of Iraq in 2003. It provided most of the ground forces for these operations. The mission later changed to fighting against insurgent groups. This resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 U.S. service members.

U.S. Army soldiers returning fire during a firefight with Taliban forces in Afghanistan, March 2011.

The Army has continuously worked on modernizing its equipment and organization. Projects like the Future Combat Systems program and BCT Modernization aimed to improve how the Army fights. By 2017, the Brigade Modernization project was finished. The Army has also adjusted its size and structure over the years to meet new challenges. For example, it retired many OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters.

How the Army is Organized

Organization of the United States Army within the Department of Defense.

Planning for Modern Needs

By 2017, a special group was formed to improve Army modernization. This led to changes in how units like the CCDC and ARCIC work. They moved under a new Army Command (ACOM) in 2018. This new command, Army Futures Command, focuses on designing new equipment and improving the process of getting it. The TRADOC defines how the Army is structured and trains soldiers.

Key Modernization Priorities

The Army Futures Command uses special teams to improve how the Army gets new equipment. To support these efforts, the Army's budget for 2020 set aside $30 billion for its top six modernization priorities over five years. This money came from saving costs and ending other projects.

Different Parts of the Army

U.S. Army organization chart.

The U.S. Army began organizing in 1775. For its first 100 years, it was a small force during peacetime. It mainly staffed forts and did engineering work. During wars, the Army grew with many United States Volunteers from different states. States also had their own militias that could join the Army.

Senior American commanders of the European theatre of World War II in 1945.

In the 20th century, the "National Army" was created for World War I. After the war, it was replaced by the Regular Army, the Organized Reserve Corps, and state militias. In the 1920s and 1930s, "career" soldiers were in the "Regular Army." Reserve groups filled extra needs.

In 1941, the "Army of the United States" was formed for World War II. After that war, the reserve groups combined to form the United States Army Reserve. The Army of the United States was used again for the Korean War and Vietnam War.

Today, the Army has three main parts: the Regular Army, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard. Some states also have state defense forces. The Army is also divided into many different job areas, called branches and functional areas.

U.S. Army branches and functional areas

Branch	Insignia and colors		Branch	Insignia and colors		Functional Area (FA)
Acquisition Corps (AC)			Air Defense Artillery (AD)			Information Network Engineering (FA 26)
Adjutant General's Corps (AG) Includes Army Bands (AB)			Armor (AR) Includes Cavalry (CV)			Information Operations (FA 30)
Aviation (AV)			Civil Affairs Corps (CA)			Strategic Intelligence (FA 34)
Chaplain Corps (CH)			Chemical Corps (CM)			Space Operations (FA 40)
Cyber Corps (CY)			Dental Corps (DC)			Public Affairs Officer (FA 46)
Corps of Engineers (EN)			Field Artillery (FA)			Academy Professor (FA 47)
Finance Corps (FI)			Infantry (IN)			Foreign Area Officer (FA 48)
Inspector General (IG)			Logistics (LG)			Operations Research/Systems Analysis (FA 49)
Judge Advocate General's Corps (JA)			Military Intelligence Corps (MI)			Force Management (FA 50)
Medical Corps (MC)			Medical Service Corps (MS)			Acquisition (FA 51)
Military Police Corps (MP)			Army Nurse Corps (AN)			Nuclear and Counter WMD Officer (FA 52B)
Psychological Operations (PO)			Medical Specialist Corps (SP)			Simulation Operations (FA 57)
Quartermaster Corps (QM)			Staff Specialist Corps (SS) (USAR and ARNG only)			Army Marketing (FA 58)
Special Forces (SF)			Ordnance Corps (OD)			Health Services (FA 70)
Veterinary Corps (VC)			Public Affairs (PA)			Laboratory Sciences (FA 71)
Transportation Corps (TC)			Signal Corps (SC)			Preventive Medicine Sciences (FA 72)
						Behavioral Sciences (FA 73)
Special branch insignias (for some unique duty assignments)
National Guard Bureau (NGB)			General Staff			U.S. Military Academy Staff
Chaplain Candidate			Officer Candidate			Warrant Officer Candidate
Aide-de-camp						Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA)

Before 1933, Army National Guard members were state militia. They joined the U.S. Army only when called for war. Since 1933, all Army National Guard soldiers have a dual role. They serve under their state governor and as reserve members of the U.S. Army under the president.

Since the "Total Force Policy" after the Vietnam War, reserve soldiers have played a bigger role. They took part in the Gulf War, peacekeeping in Kosovo, operations in Afghanistan, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Army Commands and Regional Groups

Headquarters, United States Department of the Army (HQDA):

Army Commands	Current commander	Location of headquarters
United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)	GEN Andrew P. Poppas	Fort Bragg, North Carolina
United States Army Futures Command (AFC)	GEN James E. Rainey	Austin, Texas
United States Army Materiel Command (AMC)	LTG Christopher O. Mohan (acting)	Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)	GEN Gary M. Brito	Fort Eustis, Virginia
Army Service Component Commands	Current commander	Location of headquarters
United States Army Central (ARCENT)/Third Army	LTG Patrick D. Frank	Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
United States Army Europe and Africa/Seventh Army	GEN Christopher T. Donahue	Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany
United States Army North (ARNORTH)/Fifth Army	LTG Allan M. Pepin	Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
United States Army Pacific (USARPAC)	GEN Ronald P. Clark	Fort Shafter, Hawaii
United States Army South (ARSOUTH)/Sixth Army	MG Phillip J. Ryan	Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC)	MG Lance G. Curtis	Scott AFB, Illinois
United States Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER)	LTG Maria B. Barrett	Fort Gordon, Georgia
United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command/United States Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT)	LTG Sean Gainey	Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)	LTG Jonathan P. Braga	Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Operational Force Headquarters	Current commander	Location of headquarters
Eighth Army (EUSA)	BG D. Sean Crockett (acting)	Camp Humphreys, South Korea
Direct reporting units	Current commander	Location of headquarters
Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery	Katharine Kelley (civilian)	Arlington County, Virginia
Civilian Protection Center of Excellence	Michael McNerney	Arlington County, Virginia
United States Army Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office		Arlington County, Virginia
Military Postal Service Agency		Arlington County, Virginia
United States Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC)	Craig A. Spisak (civilian)	Fort Belvoir, Virginia
United States Army Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA)	Carol Burton (civilian)	Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)	LTG William H. Graham Jr.	Washington, D.C.
United States Army Corrections Command (ACC)	BG Sarah K. Albrycht	Arlington County, Virginia
United States Army Criminal Investigation Division (USACID)	Gregory D. Ford	Quantico, Virginia
United States Army Human Resources Command (HRC)	MG Hope C. Rampy	Fort Knox, Kentucky
United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM)	MG Timothy D. Brown	Fort Belvoir, Virginia
United States Army Medical Command (MEDCOM)	LTG Mary K. Izaguirre	Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)	LTG Johnny K. Davis	Fort Knox, Kentucky
United States Army Military District of Washington (MDW)	BG Antoinette R. Gant	Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
United States Army War College (AWC)	MG David C. Hill	Carlisle, Pennsylvania
United States Military Academy (USMA)	LTG Steven W. Gilland	West Point, New York
Source: U.S. Army organization

How Army Units are Structured

U.S. Army soldiers training in a mock city at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

The U.S. Army has three main parts: the active Regular Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve. The reserve parts are mostly part-time soldiers. They train once a month and have two to three weeks of annual training.

U.S. soldiers taking positions during a patrol in Ramadi, Iraq.

The Regular Army and Army Reserve follow rules under Title 10 of the United States Code. The National Guard follows rules under Title 32. When not in federal service, the Army National Guard is led by state governors. However, the District of Columbia National Guard reports to the U.S. president. The president can call any or all of the National Guard into federal service.

The 1st Cavalry Division's aviation brigade performing a mock charge.

A civilian, the Secretary of the Army, leads the U.S. Army. This Secretary manages all Army affairs under the Secretary of Defense. The Chief of Staff of the Army is the highest-ranked military officer. This person advises the Secretary of the Army and is part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Joint Chiefs advise the president and Secretary of Defense on military matters.

U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers patrolling in Afghanistan.

In 1986, the Goldwater–Nichols Act changed how the military works. It put operational control from the president to the Secretary of Defense. Then it goes directly to unified combatant commanders. These commanders control all units in their area. The Army provides trained forces to these commanders.

In 2013, the Army changed to six geographical commands. These match the six geographical unified combatant commands:

• United States Army Central in South Carolina.
• United States Army North in Texas.
• United States Army South in Texas.
• United States Army Europe and Africa in Germany.
• United States Army Pacific in Hawaii.

The Army also changed its main unit from divisions to brigades. Divisions still exist, but their headquarters can command any brigade. Each brigade is now modular, meaning all brigades of the same type are alike. This allows any division to command any brigade. The three main types of brigade combat teams are:

• Armored brigades, with about 4,743 troops.
• Stryker brigades, with about 4,500 troops.
• Infantry brigades, with about 4,413 troops.

There are also brigades that support combat and services. These include aviation brigades, artillery brigades, and military intelligence brigades. Combat service support brigades, like sustainment brigades, provide support roles.

Active Combat Units

The U.S. Army's main combat force includes 11 active divisions. It also has one division headquarters that does not deploy (7th Infantry Division). There are also several independent maneuver units.

From 2013 to 2017, the Army reduced its size after years of growth. In 2013, plans were made to shrink the active-duty force. However, these plans were later changed to expand the Army.

The Army's organization recently changed when United States Army Alaska became the 11th Airborne Division. This moved brigades from the 25th Infantry Division to focus on Arctic missions. As part of this, one Stryker Brigade Combat Team reorganized into an Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Now, the active Army has 11 Armored brigades, 6 Stryker brigades, and 14 Infantry brigades.

The Army National Guard and Army Reserve have eight more divisions. They also have 27 brigade combat teams and other support units. The Army Reserve provides almost all psychological operations and civil affairs units.

United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)

Direct reporting units	Current commander	Location of headquarters
I Corps	LTG Xavier Brunson	Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
III Armored Corps	LTG Kevin Admiral	Fort Cavazos, Texas
V Corps	LTG Charles Costanza	Fort Knox, Kentucky
XVIII Airborne Corps	LTG Christopher T. Donahue	Fort Bragg, North Carolina
First Army	LTG Mark H. Landes	Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois
U.S. Army Reserve Command	LTG Robert Harter	Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Security Force Assistance Command	BG Kevin J. Lambert	Fort Bragg, North Carolina
20th CBRNE Command	BG W M Bochat	Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command	MG Richard A. Harrison	Fort Bliss, Texas
U.S. Army Air Traffic Services Command	COL Bryan C. Jones	Fort Novosel, Alabama

Active combat maneuver units
Name	Headquarters	Subunits	Subordinate to
1st Armored Division	Fort Bliss, Texas	3 armored brigade combat teams, 1st Armored Division Artillery (United States), 1 Combat Aviation Brigade, and 1 sustainment brigade	III Corps
1st Cavalry Division	Fort Cavazos, Texas	3 armored BCTs, 1st Cavalry Division Artillery (United States), 1 CAB, and 1 sustainment brigade	III Corps
1st Infantry Division	Fort Riley, Kansas	2 armored BCTs, 1 1st Infantry Division Artillery (United States), 1 CAB, and 1 sustainment brigade	III Corps
2nd Infantry Division	Camp Humphreys, South Korea Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington	2 Stryker BCTs, 1 mechanized brigade from the ROK Army, 1 2nd Infantry Division Artillery (United States) (under administrative control of 7th ID), 1 sustainment brigade, and a stateside Stryker BCT from another active division that is rotated in on a regular basis.	I Corps (CONUS) Eighth Army (OCONUS)
3rd Infantry Division	Fort Stewart, Georgia	2 armored BCT, Divisional Artillery, Aviation Brigade, and 1 sustainment brigade	XVIII Airborne Corps
4th Infantry Division	Fort Carson, Colorado	2 Stryker BCT, 1 armored BCT, Divisional Artillery, 1 CAB, and 1 sustainment brigade	III Corps
2nd Cavalry Regiment	Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany	4 Stryker squadrons, 1 engineer squadron, 1 fires squadron, and 1 support squadron	U.S. Army Europe and Africa
3rd Cavalry Regiment	Fort Cavazos, Texas	4 Stryker squadrons, 1 fires squadron, 1 engineer squadron, and 1 support squadron (overseen by the 1st Cavalry Division)	III Corps
7th Infantry Division	Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington	1 CAB and 2 Stryker BCTs	I Corps
10th Mountain Division	Fort Drum, New York	3 infantry BCTs, 1 10th Mountain Division Artillery (United States), 1 CAB, and 1 sustainment brigade	XVIII Airborne Corps
11th Airborne Division	Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska	1 airborne infantry BCT, 1 infantry BCT, 1 aviation command, and 1 sustainment battalion	I Corps
25th Infantry Division	Schofield Barracks, Hawaii	2 infantry BCTs, 1 DIVARTY, 1 CAB, and 1 sustainment brigade	I Corps
82nd Airborne Division	Fort Bragg, North Carolina	3 airborne infantry BCTs, 1 airborne DIVARTY, 1 airborne CAB, and 1 airborne sustainment brigade	XVIII Airborne Corps
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)	Fort Campbell, Kentucky	3 infantry BCTs, 1 DIVARTY, 1 CAB, and 1 sustainment brigade	XVIII Airborne Corps
173rd Airborne Brigade	Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy	2 airborne infantry battalions, 1 airborne field artillery battalion, 1 airborne cavalry squadron, 1 airborne engineer battalion, and 1 airborne support battalion	Southern European Task Force, Africa

Combat maneuver units under the Army National Guard until federalized
Name	Locations	Subunits
28th Infantry Division	Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland	2nd Infantry BCT, 56th Stryker BCT, 28th CAB, 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), and the 28th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade (SB)
29th Infantry Division	Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Florida	30th Armored BCT, 53rd Infantry BCT, 116th Infantry BCT, 29th CAB, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment, 29th Infantry Division SB, and the 226th MEB
34th Infantry Division	Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Idaho	1st Armored BCT, 2nd Infantry BCT, 32nd Infantry BCT, 116th Cavalry BCT, 115th Field Artillery Brigade, 34th CAB, 34th Infantry Division SB, and the 157th MEB
35th Infantry Division	Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Georgia, Arkansas, and Nebraska	33rd Infantry BCT, 39th Infantry BCT, 45th Infantry BCT, 130th Field Artillery Brigade, 35th CAB, and the 67th MEB
36th Infantry Division	Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi	56th Infantry BCT, 72nd Infantry BCT, 256th Infantry BCT, 155th Armored BCT, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 36th CAB, 36th Infantry Division SB, and the 136th MEB
38th Infantry Division	Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee	37th Infantry BCT, 76th Infantry BCT, 138th Field Artillery Brigade, 38th CAB, 38th Infantry Division SB, and the 149th MEB
40th Infantry Division	Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington	29th Infantry BCT, 41st Infantry BCT, 79th Infantry BCT, 81st Stryker BCT, 40th CAB, and the 40th Infantry Division SB
42th Infantry Division	Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont	27th Infantry BCT, 44th Infantry BCT, 86th Infantry BCT (Mountain), 197th Field Artillery Brigade, 42nd CAB, 42nd Infantry Division SB, and the 26th MEB

Special Operations Teams

United States Army Special Operations Command (Airborne) (USASOC):

Name	Headquarters	Structure and purpose
1st Special Forces Command	Fort Bragg, North Carolina	Manages seven special forces groups. These groups deploy for nine missions, including unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, and counter-terrorism. The command also manages two psychological operations groups. These groups work with foreign nations to support U.S. goals. A civil affairs brigade helps military leaders build relationships. A sustainment brigade provides combat and health support.
Army Special Operations Aviation Command	Fort Bragg, North Carolina	Organizes and trains Army special operations aviation units. These units provide quick air support to special operations forces. This includes five units, like the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).
75th Ranger Regiment	Fort Benning, Georgia	This regiment has a headquarters, a special troops battalion, and a military intelligence battalion. It also has three battalions of elite airborne infantry. They specialize in large-scale operations and precision raids. Their missions include special reconnaissance, air assault, and seizing key locations. The Regiment also helps develop new equipment and training.
John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School	Fort Bragg, North Carolina	This center selects and trains special forces, civil affairs, and psychological operations soldiers. It includes two groups and various training units.
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta	Fort Bragg, North Carolina	Often called Delta Force, this is the U.S. Army's top-tier special unit. It performs the most complex and dangerous missions. Under the Joint Special Operations Command, Delta Force specializes in hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and special reconnaissance. It has eight squadrons for different tasks.

The Army Medical Department

The United States Army Medical Department (AMEDD) is the Army's main healthcare organization. It is led by the Surgeon General of the United States Army (TSG). The Surgeon General is a three-star lieutenant general. This person also commands the United States Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). The current Surgeon General is Lieutenant General Mary K. Izaguirre.

AMEDD includes six non-combat, medical specialty branches. These are the Medical Corps, Nurse Corps, Dental Corps, Veterinary Corps, and Medical Specialist Corps. Each branch has a chief who reports to the Surgeon General.

Army Personnel and Ranks

The Army uses a system called IPPS-A (Integrated Personnel and Pay System - Army). This system helps manage soldier information and pay. It is used by the National Guard, Army Reserve, and the active Army. Soldiers use this system for promotions and other career decisions.

One change is the Battalion Commander Assessment Program (BCAP). This program helps select future battalion commanders. It looks at an officer's personal preferences and many other factors. Promotion boards can now see all official information in an officer's record. Officers are encouraged to know their records and respond to any negative information. Other similar assessment programs are being considered for other ranks and commands.

Below are the U.S. Army ranks used today. The rank of General of the Army is still allowed during wartime, though no one currently holds it.

Officers: Leaders of the Army

There are several ways to become a commissioned officer. These include the United States Military Academy, Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Officer Candidate School, or direct commissioning. All officers wear the same insignia. Certain professionals, like doctors, nurses, lawyers, and chaplains, can become officers directly.

Most Army officers are promoted using an "up or out" system. This means they must be promoted or leave the service after a certain time. A more flexible system is now being used to manage talent. The Defense Officer Personnel Management Act of 1980 sets rules for promotions and the number of officers.

Army rules say to call all generals "General (last name)." Colonels and lieutenant colonels are called "Colonel (last name)." First and second lieutenants are called "Lieutenant (last name)."

US DoD pay grade	Special grade	O-10	O-9	O-8	O-7	O-6	O-5	O-4	O-3	O-2	O-1
NATO code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Insignia
Army Green Service Uniform
Army Blue Service Uniform
Army Combat Uniform
Title	General of the Army	General	Lieutenant general	Major general	Brigadier general	Colonel	Lieutenant colonel	Major	Captain	First lieutenant	Second lieutenant
Abbreviation	GA	GEN	LTG	MG	BG	COL	LTC	MAJ	CPT	1LT	2LT

Warrant Officers: Expert Specialists

Warrant officers are special officers who are experts in a specific field. They are first appointed as warrant officers (WO1) by the Secretary of the Army. They receive their official commission when promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2).

By rule, senior officers call warrant officers "Mr. (last name)" or "Ms. (last name)." Enlisted personnel call them "sir" or "ma'am." However, many people in their units call warrant officers "Chief (last name)."

US DoD pay grade	W-5	W-4	W-3	W-2	W-1
NATO code	WO-5	WO-4	WO-3	WO-2	WO-1
Insignia
Army Green Service Uniform
Title	Chief warrant officer 5	Chief warrant officer 4	Chief warrant officer 3	Chief warrant officer 2	Warrant officer 1
Abbreviation	CW5	CW4	CW3	CW2	WO1

Enlisted Personnel: The Backbone of the Army

Sergeants and corporals are called NCOs (non-commissioned officers). Corporals are different from specialists, who have the same pay grade but do not lead others. Since 2021, all corporals must complete structured self-development for NCO ranks. They must finish the basic leader course (BLC) or be assigned as specialists. Specialists who finish BLC and are recommended for promotion can wear corporal rank before their official NCO promotion.

Privates and privates first class (E3) are called "Private (last name)." Specialists are called "Specialist (last name)." Corporals are called "Corporal (last name)." Sergeants, staff sergeants, sergeants first class, and master sergeants are all called "Sergeant (last name)." First sergeants are called "First Sergeant (last name)." Sergeants major and command sergeants major are called "Sergeant Major (last name)."

US DoD pay grade	Special			E-9		E-8		E-7	E-6	E-5	E-4		E-3	E-2	E-1
NATO code	OR-9					OR-8		OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4		OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Dress uniform insignia															No insignia
Service uniform insignia
Title	Senior enlisted advisor to the chairman	Sergeant major of the Army	Senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau	Command sergeant major	Sergeant major	First sergeant	Master sergeant	Sergeant first class	Staff sergeant	Sergeant	Corporal	Specialist	Private first class	Private	Private
Abbreviation	SEAC	SMA	SEANGB	CSM	SGM	1SG	MSG	SFC	SSG	SGT	CPL	SPC	PFC	PV2	PV1

Training to Become a Soldier

U.S. Army Rangers practicing fast roping from an MH-47 helicopter.

Army training has two main parts: individual and collective. basic training lasts about 10 weeks. After this, recruits go to Advanced Individualized Training (AIT). Here, they learn skills for their specific job, called a military occupational specialty (MOS). Some MOSs combine Basic Training and AIT into one longer program called One Station Unit Training (OSUT). The length of AIT or OSUT depends on the job.

For example, Infantry OSUT was extended to 22 weeks in 2019. This training covers weapons like the M240 machine gun and the M249 squad automatic weapon. OSUTs for Armor, Cavalry, Engineer, and Military Police (MP) have also expanded.

Junior officers now serve as platoon leaders for Basic Combat Training (BCT) platoons. They handle many daily tasks and support drill sergeants. They also help ensure good behavior in their platoons.

A trainer from the 101st Airborne Division helps Iraqi army ranger students during a room clearing drill.

The Army Combat Fitness Test

The United States Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) was introduced in 2018. It is now the official fitness test for all soldiers. The test and scoring are the same for everyone, regardless of gender. It takes about an hour to complete. The ACFT replaced the older Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). It is designed to better measure fitness for combat.

The ACFT has six events: three deadlifts, a standing power throw, hand-release pushups, a sprint/drag/carry event, leg tucks (or a plank), and a two-mile run. These movements are directly related to actions on the battlefield. All soldiers in the Regular Army, Reserve, and National Guard take this test.

After basic and advanced training, soldiers can get "additional skill identifiers" (ASI). This allows them to specialize further within their job. For officers, training includes pre-commissioning at places like USMA or through ROTC. After becoming officers, they get branch-specific training.

U.S. Army soldiers learning about the INSAS 1B1 rifle during an exercise.

Collective training for units happens at their assigned bases. More intense training for larger groups takes place at three combat training centers (CTC):

• The National Training Center (NTC) in California.
• The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Louisiana.
• The Joint Multinational Training Center (JMRC) in Germany.

The Army uses a process called ReARMM to prepare units for deployment. Individual soldiers also get training at the continental U.S. (CONUS) replacement center (CRC) before deploying. The Army continues to improve training for different environments, like cold weather, jungles, and urban areas.

Preparing Future Soldiers

The U.S. Army has faced challenges in finding enough new recruits. To help with this, the Army created the Future Soldier Prep Course (FSPC). This program helps potential recruits who might not meet the Army's fitness or academic standards at first.

In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, about 24% of new recruits went through the FSPC. This shows how important the program is for meeting recruitment goals. The FSPC offers both physical fitness and academic training. Most participants join the academic part, which teaches basic math, English, and other key skills.

Army Equipment and Gear

The Army's Chief of Staff has set six main goals for modernizing equipment. These are: artillery, ground vehicles, aircraft, communication networks, air/missile defense, and making soldiers more effective.

Weapons Used by Soldiers

A Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system for ballistic missile protection.

Individual Weapons

The U.S. Army uses various weapons for close-range fighting. The most common rifle is the M4 carbine. This is a smaller version of the M16 rifle. It is being slowly replaced by the M7 rifle in some units. The main handgun is the M17 pistol. Soldiers also use hand grenades, like the M67 fragmentation grenade and M18 smoke grenade.

Many units also have specialized weapons. The M249 SAW provides covering fire for squads. The M320 grenade launcher provides indirect fire. Shotguns like the M1014 or Mossberg 590 are used for breaking into buildings and close combat. Snipers use powerful rifles like the M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle and the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle.

Team-Operated Weapons

The Army uses larger, team-operated weapons for heavy firepower over longer distances.

The M240 is the standard medium machine gun. The M2 heavy machine gun is often mounted on vehicles. The 40 mm MK 19 grenade machine gun is also mainly used by motorized units.

The Army uses three types of mortars for indirect fire support. The smallest is the 60 mm M224, used by infantry companies. Infantry battalions use 81 mm M252 mortars. The largest mortar is the 120 mm M120/M121, used by mechanized units.

Light infantry units get fire support from towed howitzers. These include the 105 mm M119A1 and the 155 mm M777.

The Army also uses rockets and missiles to give infantry anti-armor capabilities. The AT4 can destroy armor and bunkers. The FIM-92 Stinger is a shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile. The FGM-148 Javelin and BGM-71 TOW are guided anti-tank missiles.

Army Vehicles

A U.S. soldier on patrol in Iraq with a Humvee vehicle.

U.S. Army strategy relies heavily on mechanized warfare. It has one of the highest vehicle-to-soldier ratios in the world. The most common vehicle is the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), known as the Humvee. It can carry cargo, troops, weapons, or serve as an ambulance. The Army also uses many combat support vehicles, like the HEMTT family of trucks.

3rd Infantry Division soldiers operating an M1A1 Abrams tank.

The M1A2 Abrams is the Army's main battle tank. The M2A3 Bradley is the standard infantry fighting vehicle. Other vehicles include the Stryker, the M113 armored personnel carrier, and various Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

The Army's main artillery weapons are the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer and the M270 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). Both are mounted on tracked platforms and used by heavy mechanized units.

Army Aviation: Helicopters and More

The United States Army Aviation Branch mainly uses helicopters. These include the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the UH-60 Black Hawk transport helicopter, and the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter. The Army has reduced its aircraft types and numbers as part of restructuring plans.

The Army is also looking at new fixed-wing aircraft to replace its current ISR (Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) planes. For UAVs (drones), the Army is deploying MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones to each active Army division.

Soldier Uniforms

The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) now features the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). This pattern replaced the older pixel-based pattern in 2019.

On November 11, 2018, the Army announced a new version of 'Army Greens.' These uniforms are based on those worn during World War II. They are now the standard everyday service uniform. The blue Army Service Uniform remains the dress uniform. The Army Greens were first issued in the summer of 2020.

• 

  The 2020 Army Greens uniform.

• 

  Soldiers wearing ASUs, representing the United States at the 2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade.

Berets: Special Headwear

The Ranger Honor Platoon marching in their tan berets.

The beret flash on enlisted personnel's berets shows their unit's unique symbol. The U.S. Army's black beret is no longer worn with the ACU for daily duty. It has been replaced by the patrol cap.

Soldiers in units that perform parachute jumps still wear berets (maroon beret). Members of Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs) wear brown berets. Members of the 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Forces wear tan or rifle green berets. They can wear these with the Army Service Uniform for non-ceremonial events. Unit commanders can still order the use of patrol caps during training.

Army Tents and Shelters

The Army uses many tents for facilities during deployments. These tents serve as temporary barracks (sleeping areas), dining facilities, and command centers. They are also used for recreation and security checkpoints. Many of these tents are set up with support from the Natick Soldier Systems Center.

Each Force Provider Expeditionary (FPE) tent system includes sleeping, bathroom, shower, laundry, and kitchen facilities for 50–150 soldiers. These systems are stored in Army Prepositioned Stocks. This allows commanders to quickly place soldiers where needed.

The U.S. Army now uses a more modern tent called the deployable rapid assembly shelter (DRASH). Since 2008, DRASH has been part of the Army's standard command post system.

Related pages

• United States National Guard
• United States Army Reserve
• United States Army Center of Military History

Images for kids

• 

  American soldiers hunt Japanese infiltrators during the Bougainville Campaign.

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  Men of the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 82nd Airborne Division, advance in a snowstorm, January 1945.

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  U.S. Army soldiers look upon an atomic bomb test of Operation Buster-Jangle at the Nevada Test Site during the Korean War.

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  M1 Abrams tanks move out before the Battle of Al Busayyah during the Gulf War.

• 

  U.S. Army soldiers prepare to take La Comandancia in Panama City during the United States invasion of Panama.

• 

  Army Rangers from the 1st Ranger Battalion conduct a MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

• 

  Army Rangers take part in a raid during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan.

• 

  Organization chart.

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  U.S. general officers, World War II, Europe.

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  U.S. soldiers from the 6th Infantry Regiment taking up positions during a foot patrol in Ramadi, Iraq.

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  The 1st Cavalry Division's combat aviation brigade performs a mock charge with the horse detachment.

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  U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers from the 3rd Special Forces Group patrol a field in Afghanistan.

• 

  Rangers practice fast roping techniques from an MH-47 during an exercise at Fort Bragg.

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  U.S. Army soldiers familiarizing with the latest INSAS 1B1 during exercise Yudh Abhyas 2015.

• 

  Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system used by the army for ballistic missile protection.

• 

  American troops of the 28th Infantry Division march down the Champs-Élysées, in the victory parade following the Liberation of Paris.

See also

In Spanish: Ejército de los Estados Unidos para niños

• Army and Navy stamp issues of 1936–1937
• History of the United States Army
• List of military weapons of the United States
• Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
• List of active United States military aircraft
• List of comparative military ranks
• List of former United States Army medical units
• List of wars involving the United States
• Reorganization plan of United States Army
• Soldier's Creed
• Timeline of United States military operations
• U.S. Army Combat Arms Regimental System
• U.S. Army Regimental System
• United States Army Basic Training
• United States Constabulary (United States Gendarmerie)
• Social history of soldiers and veterans in the United States