The US Army: History, Facts, and Resources

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The Army’s proud history goes back to the beginning rumblings of our nation when the states were colonies. The first soldiers were part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia. These militia regiments spread as more were founded and primarily fought various Native American tribes during several early wars, such as King Philip’s War from 1675-1676. They also fought in support of the British crown during the French and Indian War in 1754. The tables turned as the country began to fight for independence as the “minutemen” stepped up at Lexington and Concord to face the British.

It was in 1775 that the Army established one of the key corps, the Noncommissioned Officers Corps, or NCO corps. These officers became a crucial link in the Army command structure, taking responsibility for leading small units in the field. They also became well versed in technical aspects of warfare and served as trainers for the soldiering art. They have gradually, throughout the Army’s history, come to greater acknowledgment for their crucial part in its story.

George Washington rose to prominence in the Revolutionary movement when he took command of the Continental Army. He laid out a plan for the army consisting of a regular army at the ready that was supported by an organized militia. This is seen today in our current volunteer Army and the National Guard. Though at this time a very small force, others began to build and train it for readiness. Major General Jacob Brown did just this before the War of 1812 when he set up a special camp to supervise the training and outfitting of American soldiers. During this war, the size of the army was increased. Others generals such as Winfield Scott took this new army and led them on the field of battle, meeting the British as equals.

Training the soldiers that would lead the nation’s troops was given over in 1802 when West Point was established. Here cadets were, and still are, taught the intricacies of leading soldiers into battle and the various tactics that are required. The strict regimen of drill, discipline, academic and hands-on training prepared them for a variety of roles in the Army. These ranged from the infantry, artillery, cavalry to the engineers.

The Army’s importance to the new nation grew as it dealt with a growing population that was expanding into the west. They also were divided for a five year period of the Civil War when the northern and southern states took sides against one another. Both were led by exceptional individuals, many of whom were West Point graduates. George McClellan served the army in the beginning of the war by helping it to become an organized and disciplined fighting force. But it took aggressive leadership from Ulysses S. Grant to take it to the field of battle later in the war and fight front and ready. It was also during this time that African-Americans started to serve as soldiers in the field, showing their bravery in battle.

The Army served its part during the settling of the west from coast to coast by escorting the pioneers in their wagon trains and manning forts out on the prairies. African Americans, named the “Buffalo Soldiers” by the Native Americans, served bravely in the west. The Army not only helped to police the west, but also aided in exploring and mapping the wild country.

With the coming of the twentieth century, the Army saw changes in technology and strategy as it evolved into a modern fighting force. With the country entering World War I in 1917, training the soldiers for battle fell on the shoulders on John J. Pershing. Having proven himself in past battles as apt leader, he was crucial is establishing and upholding strict training procedures for the recruits that would become soldiers. His battle strategy was also key in helping turn the tide of World War I. It was also during this time that the first Army planes took to the sky, becoming the precursors of the later Army Air Corps.

Fighting readiness was even more important with the advent of World War II. General William Catlett Marshall at Fort Benning established a new training program for officers that turned academics towards a more practical and efficient battlefield strategy. Another great, George Patton, brought new strategy and fervor to American tankers on the battlefield. The all out war effort of the nation set the army on a whole new footing, with massive campaigns on D-Day, Europe and in the Pacific. The Army was now truly a modern one.

As the latter part of the twentieth century dawned, the army took on new challenges in Korea and Vietnam along with helping to fight the Cold War. New weaponry, advanced battle tactics and changes in world events helped to shape the Army into the one we now know. From its early days on the battlefields with the British to the war on terrorism, the Army continues to grow and change as it defend s the country from harm and uphold liberty.

Resources about The Army

Army Organization during the Civil War

Wikified Army Field Guide, U.S. Army, Department of Defense. “Soldiers collaboratively update Army Doctrine from the field”

West Point: Renowned as the world’s premier leader development institution, West Point’s mission is to build cadets both intellectually, physically, militarily, and ethically along with spiritually, and socially.

Army Enlisting Guide, Benefits, Jobs, and Resources About How to Enlist

ROTC

US Department of Defense“The Army.” The Army Historical Foundation. (2001). Arlington: Barnes and Noble Books, Inc.

Resource by k.Pearson

My name is Kim, I am a volunteer at a local Zoo in Chicago, IL. I have been a volunteer for about 5 years now and love it. My full time job is at a vet just outside of the city. I am intrigued by the nature of animals and how they interact with one another.

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