US Army Story

The U.S. Army, the land service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, traces its origin back to the Continental Army formed in 1775 to fight the British during the American Revolutionary War. Replacing the Continental Army, the United States Army was created by the Congress of the Confederation in 1784.

The U.S. Army is led by both a civilian senior appointed civil servant, the Secretary of the Army (SECARMY), and a chief military officer, the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), who is also part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Army's key objective is to secure victories in the nation's wars by offering continuous land control swiftly, across various military operations in backing combatant commanders. It plays a significant role in global conflicts as the primary ground-based offensive and defensive force of the U.S.

The US Army is the land-based branch of the US Armed Forces, with its purpose defined by Section 7062 of Title 10, US Code to ensure peace, security, and defense of the nation.

The Army Strategy 2018 outlined changes to the Army Vision for 2028, focusing on corps and division-level echelons to enhance the Brigade Modernization efforts. The Army Futures Command drives reforms for conventional warfare, with a reorganization plan expected to be finalized by 2028, supporting the Army's five core competencies.

The Continental Army was established in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress to battle Britain, with George Washington as its leader. It comprised men with British military background initially, later influenced by French assistance and soldiers like von Steuben.

The capture of Redoubt No. 10 during the Siege of Yorktown led to negotiations between Great Britain and the United States, culminating in the Treaty of Paris and Britain acknowledging the independence of the US. The Continental Army, under Nathanael Greene, employed a mix of tactics like Fabian strategy and hit-and-run maneuvers in the South, aiming to weaken British forces strategically. Although facing setbacks in battles like New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia campaigns, the Continental Army, with French assistance, achieved a decisive victory at Yorktown over the British.

After the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army received land certificates and was disbanded as part of the new republic's suspicion of permanent military forces. State militias took over as the main army, with only a limited presence protecting the Western Frontier. However, due to ongoing conflicts with Native Americans, a trained standing army became necessary. The initial Regular Army was small, but following a significant defeat at the Battle of the Wabash, it was restructured as the Legion of the United States in 1791, which was later renamed the United States Army in 1796.

During the Quasi-War in 1798, the U.S. Congress formed a temporary army of 10,000 soldiers and later planned a larger force.