Science  People  Locations  Timeline
Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Home > United States Army


 Contents
The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. As of fiscal year 2002 (FY02), it consisted of 480,000 soldiers on active duty and 555,000 in reserve (350,000 in Army National Guard( ARNG)and 205,000 in the Army Reserve. USAR ). The Army was formed on June 14, 1775, before the establishment of the United States, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War.


1 Components of the U.S. Army

Prior to 1918, the Army was a single entity known as the United States Army. During the First World War, the National Army was founded which was the massive draft and call-up force needed to fight the conflict. In the 1920s and 1930s, the "career" soldiers were known as the Regular Army with the Enlisted Reserve Corps and Officer Reserve Corps augmented to fill vacancies when needed.

In 1941, the Army of the United States was founded to fight the Second World War. The Regular Army, Army of the United States, and Officer/Enlisted Reserve Corps (ORC and ERC) existed simultaneously giving rise to the first concept of Army components. After World War II, the ORC and ERC were combined into the United States Army Reserve. The Army of the United States continued throughout the Korean War and Vietnam War and was discontinued upon the abolishment of the draft.

In the modern age, the Army is divided into the Regular Army and the Army Reserve. The United States National GuardThe United States National Guard is a significant component of the United States armed forces military reserve. The National Guard draws from state guard forces, but should not be confused with the reserves of the various services which serve primarily as is an armed force under the command of state governments. Prior to the 21st century, members of the National Guard were considered state employees only unless federalized by the Army in which case National Guard members became members of the Army Reserve. In the modern age, all National Guard members hold dual status as Guardsman (under the authority of the State Adjutant General) and Army Reservists under the authority of the Army Human Resources Command.

By design, the use of the Army Reserve and National Guard has increased since the Vietnam War. Reserve and Guard units took part in the Gulf WarSee also: 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. The war started with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. The result of the war was a decisive victory, peacekeeping in KosovoKosovo and Metohija ( Serbian: Albanian: Kosova , usually called just Kosovo is an autonomous province of Serbia (which together with Montenegro constitutes Serbia and Montenegro). It is currently administered by the United Nations following the recent Ko, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

2 Structure of the U.S. Army

Officially, a member of the U.S. Army is called a ' SoldierCorporal, armed with an MP-5) A soldier is a person who has enlisted with, or was conscripted into, the armed forces of a sovereign country and has undergone training and received equipment to defend that country or its interests. Soldiers are a part of s,' with a capital letter.

The U.S. Army is structured:

  1. Field Army - Usually four star level (GEN)
  2. CorpsThis article is about a military unit. For alternate meanings see Corps (disambiguation). A corps (a word that immigrated from the French language, but originating in the Latin "corpus, corporis" meaning body) is a large military unit. In the United State, which consists of two or more divisions and organic support brigades. Commanders are generally at three star level (LTG).
  3. DivisionA division is a large military unit usually consisting of around 10,000 soldiers. In most armies a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions make up a corps. Divisions are usually designated by an ordinal number Commanders are generally two star level (MG)
  4. BrigadeBrigade is a term from military science which refers to a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). A brigade is smaller or group: Most American Army divisions are composed of three or more brigades commanded by a Colonel (Col). (See also Regiment for combat arms units.)
  5. Battalion or squadron: Majority of units are organized into battalions. Cavalry units are formed into squadrons. A battalion-sized unit is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel (LTC), supported by a Command Sergeant Major/E-9 (CSM).
  6. Company or battery or troop: Artillery units are formed into batteries. Cavalry units are formed into troops. A company-sized unit is usually led by a Captain(CPT), supported by a First Sergeant/E-8 (1SG).
  7. Platoon. Platoons are usually led by a lieutenant, supported by a Sergeant First Class/E-7 (SFC).
  8. Section. Sections are usually directed by Staff Sergeants/E-6 (SSG) who supply guidance for more junior NCO Squad leaders. This unit of organization is often used in conjunction with platoons at the company level.
  9. Squad. Squad leaders are often Staff Sergeants/E-6 or Sergeants/E-5 (SGT).
  10. Fire team. Fire teams usually consist of four Soldiers: a fire team leader, a grenadier, and two riflemen. Fire teams leaders are often Corporal/E-4 (CPL)

The Army is organized by function. Combat forces include Infantry, Armor, Cavalry, Artillery, and Special Forces. Combat support troops include Army Aviation, Army Corps of Engineers, Quartermaster Corps , Medical Corps , Transportation Corps , Ordnance Corps , Adjutant General's Corps, Signal Corps, Intelligence Corps. Support troops include the Judge Advocate General's Corps.



Read more »

Non User