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The Sentinel's Shield

Delving into the historical foundations, operational structure, and enduring mission of the United States' primary land combat force.

Mission 👇 History 📜

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Mission & Mandate

Core Purpose

The United States Army serves as the primary land-based branch of the United States Department of Defense. Its fundamental purpose, as defined by Section 7062 of Title 10, U.S. Code, is to preserve the peace and security of the United States, support national policies, implement national objectives, and overcome any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil national security.[23][24]

Constitutional Authority

The U.S. Constitution designates the Army as the "Army of the United States," operating under the authority, direction, and control of the United States Secretary of Defense.[15][16] It is the most senior branch among the U.S. Armed Forces in order of precedence.[17]

Core Competencies

The Army's operational capabilities are defined by five core competencies: prompt and sustained land combat, combined arms operations (including maneuver and wide-area security), special operations, theater support for the joint force, and the integration of national, multinational, and joint power on land.[25]

Historical Trajectory

Origins: Continental Army

The U.S. Army traces its lineage to the Continental Army, established on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress to fight for independence against Great Britain.[26][12] George Washington served as its first commander.[12][27][28][29]

The Continental Army achieved victory through strategic engagements and crucial alliances, notably with France, culminating in the decisive Siege of Yorktown and recognition of U.S. independence via the Treaty of Paris (1783).

19th Century Conflicts

The 19th century saw the Army engaged in critical conflicts shaping the nation's expansion and identity.

  • War of 1812: Fought against Great Britain, resulting in an inconclusive peace but solidifying U.S. sovereignty.
  • Seminole Wars: A protracted series of conflicts in Florida.
  • Mexican-American War (1846-1848): A decisive U.S. victory leading to significant territorial gains.
  • American Civil War (1861-1865): The costliest conflict in U.S. history, preserving the Union and leading to the abolition of slavery. The Union Army faced the Confederate States Army in numerous battles, including Gettysburg, a major turning point.
  • American Indian Wars: Engagements related to westward expansion and Native American resistance.
  • Spanish-American War (1898): Marked U.S. emergence as a world power, with Army involvement in Cuba and the Philippines.

Global Engagements

The 20th and 21st centuries saw the Army involved in global conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

  • World War I (1917-1918): U.S. forces contributed significantly to the Allied effort on the Western Front.
  • World War II (1941-1945): The Army played a pivotal role in both the European and Pacific theaters, involving millions of personnel in campaigns against Axis powers.
  • Cold War Era: Significant troop presence in Europe (e.g., Seventh Army) and involvement in conflicts like the Korean War and Vietnam War.
  • Post-Cold War: Operations in the Persian Gulf War, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, focusing on counter-terrorism and stabilization.

Organizational Framework

Departmental Structure

The U.S. Army is part of the Department of the Army, which falls under the Department of Defense. It is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Army and the military Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), who is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[15][16]

Components

The Army comprises three main components:

  • Regular Army (USA): The active duty force.
  • Army National Guard (ARNG): State-based militia with federal reserve status.
  • U.S. Army Reserve (USAR): A federal reserve component.

These components collectively form the "Total Force," emphasizing integrated operations.[49]

Command Structure

The Army is organized into major commands and service component commands responsible for specific geographic regions or functional areas. These include Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), Army Futures Command (AFC), Army Materiel Command (AMC), and Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), among others.[84]

Branches and Functional Areas

The U.S. Army's organizational structure includes a comprehensive array of branches and functional areas, each contributing unique expertise.

Combat Arms

These branches are directly involved in battlefield operations.

  • Armor (AR)
  • Infantry (IN)
  • Field Artillery (FA)
  • Air Defense Artillery (AD)

Support Arms

These branches provide essential logistical, administrative, and technical support.

  • Adjutant General's Corps (AG)
  • Chaplain Corps (CH)
  • Finance Corps (FI)
  • Judge Advocate General's Corps (JA)
  • Military Police Corps (MP)
  • Quartermaster Corps (QM)
  • Signal Corps (SC)
  • Transportation Corps (TC)
  • Ordnance Corps (OD)
  • Chemical Corps (CM)

Specialized & Functional Areas

These areas encompass intelligence, medical, cyber, and other specialized roles.

  • Aviation (AV)
  • Civil Affairs Corps (CA)
  • Cyber Corps (CY)
  • Medical Corps (MC), Dental Corps (DC), Nurse Corps (AN), Medical Specialist Corps (SP), Veterinary Corps (VC)
  • Military Intelligence Corps (MI)
  • Psychological Operations (PO)
  • Special Forces (SF)
  • Functional Areas (FA) for specialized officer roles (e.g., FA 30, FA 40, FA 46, FA 49, FA 50, FA 57, FA 70, FA 71, FA 73)

The U.S. Army's organizational structure includes a comprehensive array of branches and functional areas, each contributing unique expertise:

U.S. Army Branches and Functional Areas
Branch / FA Description
Acquisition Corps (AC) Manages the acquisition of Army systems and equipment.
Air Defense Artillery (AD) Provides air and missile defense capabilities.
Adjutant General's Corps (AG) Manages personnel services, including human resources and administrative support. Includes Army Bands (AB).
Armor (AR) / Cavalry (CV) Conducts mounted combat operations and reconnaissance.
Aviation (AV) Operates Army aircraft for reconnaissance, transport, and attack missions.
Chaplain Corps (CH) Provides religious and spiritual support to soldiers and their families.
Chemical Corps (CM) Manages chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense and operations.
Civil Affairs Corps (CA) Engages with civilian populations in operational areas to support military missions.
Cyber Corps (CY) Conducts cyberspace operations, including defense and offense.
Dental Corps (DC) Provides dental care and services.
Engineer Corps (EN) Manages construction, mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability operations.
Field Artillery (FA) Provides fire support through cannons, rockets, and missiles.
Finance Corps (FI) Manages financial operations and resources.
Health Services (FA 70) Oversees various health services and administration.
Information Operations (FA 30) Manages information-related capabilities to support military objectives.
Infantry (IN) The primary ground combat force, engaging the enemy directly.
Inspector General (IG) Investigates and audits Army activities to ensure compliance and efficiency.
Judge Advocate General's Corps (JA) Provides legal services and advice.
Laboratory Sciences (FA 71) Conducts scientific research and analysis.
Logistics (LG) Manages supply, maintenance, and transportation functions.
Medical Corps (MC) Provides medical care and services.
Medical Specialist Corps (SP) Includes various medical specialists like physical therapists and physicians' assistants.
Medical Service Corps (MS) Encompasses healthcare professionals such as pharmacists, optometrists, and medical administrators.
Military Intelligence Corps (MI) Gathers, analyzes, and disseminates intelligence.
Military Police Corps (MP) Enforces law and order within the Army.
Nurse Corps (AN) Provides nursing care and services.
Operations Research/Systems Analysis (FA 49) Applies quantitative methods to solve Army problems.
Ordnance Corps (OD) Manages weapons systems, ammunition, and equipment maintenance.
Public Affairs (PA) Manages communication with the public and media.
Psychological Operations (PO) Conducts operations to influence foreign populations.
Strategic Intelligence (FA 34) Focuses on long-term intelligence planning and analysis.
Special Forces (SF) Conducts unconventional warfare, direct action, and special reconnaissance.
Staff Specialist Corps (SS) Specialized roles primarily within the Reserve components.
Strategic Planning (FA 50) Develops long-term strategic plans for the Army.
Space Operations (FA 40) Manages Army operations in the space domain.
Veterinary Corps (VC) Provides veterinary care for animals and food safety oversight.

Key Commands

Army Commands (ACOM)

These are major commands directly reporting to the Department of the Army:

  • Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)
  • Army Futures Command (AFC)
  • Army Materiel Command (AMC)
  • Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)

Army Service Component Commands (ASCC)

These commands align with geographic combatant commands:

  • U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) / Third Army
  • U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) / Seventh Army
  • U.S. Army North (ARNORTH) / Fifth Army
  • U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC)
  • U.S. Army South (ARSOUTH) / Sixth Army
  • Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC)
  • U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER)
  • U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT)
  • U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
  • Eighth Army (EUSA)

Direct Reporting Units

Units that report directly to the Department of the Army:

  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
  • U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC)
  • U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA)
  • U.S. Army Corrections Command (ACC)
  • U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID)

Notable Engagements

Founding Conflicts

The Army's formative years were marked by critical engagements for national sovereignty.

  • American Revolutionary War
  • War of 1812
  • Mexican-American War

Defining Wars

Major conflicts that shaped the Army's role and capabilities.

  • American Civil War
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War

Modern Operations

Post-Cold War and contemporary operations demonstrating global reach and adaptability.

  • Persian Gulf War
  • Operations in the Balkans (Kosovo)
  • War in Afghanistan
  • Iraq War
  • Global War on Terrorism

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References

References

  1.  First sergeant is considered a temporary and lateral rank and is senior to master sergeant. A first sergeant can revert to master sergeant upon leaving assignment.
  2.  SP4 is sometimes encountered as an abbreviation for specialist instead of SPC. This is a holdover from when there were additional specialist ranks at pay grades E-5 to E-7.
  3.  PVT is also used as an abbreviation for both private ranks when pay grade need not be distinguished.[172]
  4.  5 U.S.C. Â§ 2101
  5.  DA Pamphlet 10–1 Organization of the United States Army; Figure 1.2 Military Operations.
  6.  Cont'l Cong., Formation of the Continental Army, in 2 Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 89–90 (Library of Cong. eds., 1905).
  7.  Gregory J.W.Urwin, The United States Cavalry: An Illustrated History, 1776–1944, University of Oklahoma Press 2003 (1983), pp. 36—39
  8.  Cragg, Dan, ed., The Guide to Military Installations, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, 1983, p. 272.
  9.  Woodruff, Mark. Unheralded Victory: The Defeat of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army 1961–1973 (Arlington, VA: Vandamere Press, 1999).
  10.  Wilson, John B. (1997). Maneuver and Firepower: The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades. Washington, DC: Center of Military History, Chapter XII, for references see Note 48.
  11.  An Army at War: Change in the Midst of Conflict, p. 515, via Google Books
  12.  DA Pam 10–1 Organization of the United States Army, Figure 1-1. '"Army Organizations Execute Specific Functions and Assigned Missions"
  13.  Department of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Military compensation background papers, Seventh edition, page 229. Department of Defense, 2005.
  14.  28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard official website, last accessed 4 December 2020
  15.  From the Future Soldiers Web Site.
  16.  M4. U.S. Army Fact Files
  17.  M249, U.S. Army Fact Files
  18.  M240, U.S. Army Fact Files
  19.  MK 19, U.S. Army Fact Files
  20.  M224, U.S. Army Fact Files
  21.  M252, U.S. Army Fact Files
  22.  M120, U.S. Army Fact Files
  23.  M119, U.S. Army Fact Files
  24.  HMMWV, U.S. Army Fact Files
  25.  Bradley, United States Army Fact Files
  26.  Stryker, U.S. Army Fact Files
  27.  M113, U.S. Army Fact Files
  28.  Paladin, Army.mil
  29.  MLRS, U.S. Army Fact Files
  30.  Apache, U.S. Army Fact Files
  31.  Blackhawk, U.S. Army Fact Files
  32.  Chinook, U.S. Army Fact Files
A full list of references for this article are available at the United States Army Wikipedia page

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