The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. As of fiscal year 2004 (FY04), it consisted of 485,500 soldiers (including 71,400 women) on active duty and 591,000 in reserve – 325,000 in the Army National Guard (ARNG) and 246,000 in the United States Army Reserve (USAR). The modern United States Army has its roots in the Continental Army which was formed on June 14, 1775, before the establishment of the United States, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War. Congress created the United States Army on June 3, 1784 after the end of the American Revolutionary War, to replace the disbanded Continental Army. However, the US Army considers itself to be an evolution of the Continental Army, and thus dates its inception from the origins of the Continental Army.

Components of the U.S. Army

Between 1775 and August 7, 1789, the established Federal Army was the Continental Army. On the latter date, the Continental Army was replaced by the United States Army under the newly-established War Department. The structure of the US Army was constitutionally established as the Regular Army, the units of the State Militias when called to federal service, and units of Volunteers that were established for the duration of the emergency. This remained the normal scheme of things until the Civil War, when the first Conscription took place. The concept of the National Army as a Conscript Army was thus established in all but name, since units were established to accommodate the use of the conscripts in combat. The last time that the Volunteer Units were utilized was the Spanish-American War in 1898. From that time forward, the Regular Army, the State Militias, and the National Army were codified as standard. In 1908, the Organized Reserve Corps was established to provide trained Officers and Enlisted Men for immediate use in time of war...

During the First World War, the "National Army" was organized to fight the conflict. It was demobilized at the end of World War I, and was replaced by the Regular Army, the Organized Reserve Corps, and the State Militias. 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, the National Guard, and Officer/Enlisted Reserve Corps (ORC and ERC) existed simultaneously. After World War II, the ORC and ERC were combined into the United States Army Reserve. The Army of the United States was re-established for the Korean War and Vietnam War and was demobilized upon the suspension of the Draft.

Currently, the Army is divided into the Regular Army, the Army Reserve, and the United States National Guard. Prior to 1903 members of the National Guard were considered state soldiers unless federalized by the President. Since the Militia Act of 1903 all National Guard soldiers have held dual status: as National Guardsmen under the authority of the governor of their state and as a reserve of the US Army under the authority of the President.

Since the adoption of the total force policy, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, reserve component soldiers have taken a more active role in US military operations. Reserve and Guard units took part in the Gulf War, peacekeeping in Kosovo, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Various State Defense Forces also exist, sometimes known as State Militias, which are sponsored by individual state governments and serve as an auxiliary to the National Guard. Except in times of extreme national emergency, such as a mainland invasion of the United States, State Militias are operated independently from the U.S. Army and are seen as state government agencies rather than a component of the military.

Although the present-day Army exists as an all volunteer force, augmented by Reserve and National Guard forces, measures exist for emergency expansion in the event of a catastrophic occurrence, such as a large scale attack against the US or the outbreak of a major global war. The current "call-up" order of the United States Army is as follows:

US Army Beret Flash

# Regular Army volunteer force# Army Reserve total mobilization # Full scale activation of all National Guard forces# Recall of all retired personnel fit for military duty# Re-establishment of the draft and creation of a conscript force within the Regular Army# Recall of previously discharged officers and enlisted who were separated under honorable conditions# Activation of the State Defense Forces/State Militias# Full scale mobilization of the unorganized U.S. militia

The final stage of Army mobilization, known as "activation of the unorganized militia" would effectively place all able bodied males in the service of the U.S. Army. The last time an approximation of this occurred was during the American Civil War when the Confederate States of America activated the "Home Guard" in 1865, drafting all males, regardless of age or health, into the Confederate Army. A similar event, albeit in a foreign country, occurred during World War II when Nazi Germany activated the Volkssturm in April and May of 1945.

Structure of the U.S. Army

Officially, a member of the U.S. Army is called a Soldier (In 2003, General Schoomaker, the current Army Chief of Staff, ordered all official Army publications to capitalize the word "soldier")

Formations

The U.S. Army consists of organizations that are termed "Units" or "Components". Army units are of two types. They are classified as Modification Table of Organization and Equipment (MTOE) units or as Table of Distribution and Allowances (TDA) units.

MTOE Units

A Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) is a table that prescribes the normal wartime mission, organizational structure, and personnel and equipment requirements for a military unit, and is the basis for an authorization document, the MTOE. The TOE is not an authorization document.

A Cellular TOE is a TOE designed using "teams" for a specific mission and to give force structure planners the flexibility to meet specific requirements. Cellular organizations are less than company size.

A Modification Table of Organization and Equipment (MTOE) is an authorization document that prescribes that modification of a basic TOE necessary to adapt it to the needs of a specific unit or type of unit and to perform an assigned mission in a specific geographical or operational environment.

An MTOE unit must be constituted on the official rolls of the Army by the Chief of Military History. A unit, once constituted, is eligible for activation. It is activated when transferred from the inactive to the active rolls of the Army. An activated unit is organized (brought into physical existence) by assigning to it personnel and equipment. A unit may be active but unfilled (that is, without personnel and/or equipment). Ordinarily the designation of a unit selected for activation will be that of an inactive organization of the appropriate type that has the most noteworthy history. Efficiency and clarity in communications require the use of simple and consistent unit designations. The designation of an MTOE unit usually consists of a number, a branch or function, and a level of command.

#Armies are numbered in series beginning with" First. " Examples: First United States Army, Fifth United States Army.::Normally, the senior tactical headquarters of the Army in the field will be the Corps. However, under certain circumstances, a tactical headquarters may be required above the corps. Such circumstances might include the commitment of a sizable number of corps on a large land mass, wide dispersion of forces, or instances where political or geographical conditions dictate wide variation in the nature of operational functions leaving responsibility for logistics, administration, and area control in the hands of the theater Army commander.

:The Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), commands the numbered CONUS Armies (FIRST, THIRD, FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, and EIGHTH), which (with the exception of Third Army) manage Reserve Component affairs within their specific geographic areas, and the major combat, combat support, and combat service support troop units in CONUS and Puerto Rico. He has command responsibility for the units related to readiness and defense missions. FORSCOM has command readiness responsibility for the bulk of the deployable Army troop units in CONUS. He commands the Army Reserve, establishes training criteria, and supervises the training of the Army National Guard.
#Corps are numbered in series beginning with Roman numeral " I. "Examples: I Corps, XVIII Airborne Corps.

:Corps are the Army's largest tactical units, the instruments with which higher echelons of command conduct maneuver at the operational level. Corps are tailored for the theater and mission for which they are deployed. Once tailored, however, they contain all the combat, combat support, and combat service support capabilities required to sustain operations for a considerable period. Corps are commanded by Lieutenant Generals.

:Corps plan and conduct major operations and battles. They synchronize tactical activities including the maneuver of their divisions, the fires of their artillery units and supporting aerial forces, and the actions of their combat support and combat service support units. While corps normally fight a part of a larger force, they may also be employed alone, either as an independent ground force or as the Army or land component of a joint task force. When employed alone, they may exercise operational as well as tactical responsibilities.

:Corps may be assigned divisions of any type required by the theater and the mission. They possess organic support commands (Corps Support Command - COSCOM), and are assigned combat and combat support organizations based on their needs for a specific operation. Armored cavalry regiments, field artillery brigades, engineer brigades, air defense artillery brigades, and aviation brigades are the non-divisional units commonly available to the corps to weight its main effort and to perform special combat functions. Separate infantry or armor brigades may also be assigned to corps.

:Signal brigades, military intelligence groups, and military police groups are the usual combat support organizations present in a corps. Other units such as psychological operations battalions, Army special operations forces, and civil affairs units may be assigned to corps when required.

:Corps provides centralized control and coordination of the operations of the divisions, a function essential to effective combat. They also include reinforcing combat, combat support, and combat service support units which are employed directly or attached to lower units so as to influence the course of the conflict. By shifting the allocation of available resources, including reinforcing artillery, combat support, or combat service support, the corps commander can exploit a successful action, reinforce a unit under heavy attack or otherwise influence the outcome of the action. Highly developed unit combat intelligence collection and processing capabilities including ground and aerial surveillance, with specialized sensor devices manned and operationally controlled by qualified intelligence specialists and staffs, are essential at all levels of command. Specialized intelligence units and individual personnel such as prisoner of war interrogators, foreign document specialists, technical intelligence teams, field operation specialists, counterintelligence teams, and specialists in signal intelligence are available to reinforce organic capabilities.

:As the logistics support command assigned to the corps, the Corps Support Command [COSCOM] executes the corps CSS cell's support plan. The COSCOM provides logistics support to the corps force and to other units, Services, or allies as directed, to include a corps slice to offset LID shortages. The COSCOM coordinates logistics elements in support of corps forces or the current operational plans of unified or joint commands. It organizes different types of logistics units into a support package to meet the mission requirements of the supported force. While the COSCOM supports corps elements logistically, it depends upon corps elements for specific support. The corps issues mission-type orders to describe the support which the corps organizations provide in support of the COSCOM. ::The First Digitized Corps Systems Architecture was delivered in late 1998. This architecture will become the III Corps when fielded. The First Digitized Division (FDD) was equipped in 2000, the Objective Digital Division in 2003, and the First Digitized Corps (FDC) by the end of 2004. The goal is all four corps and supporting AC/RC structure will be digitally equipped by the end of FY11. #Divisions; brigades (except those organic to divisions); regiments; groups; battalions; squadrons; separate companies, troops, batteries, platoons, and detachments; and other separate units are numbered in series within a branch, beginning with "1st". Examples: 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Field Artillery, 3rd Transportation Battalion, 4th Medical Detachment.

:Divisions are normally commanded by Major Generals. They are fixed combined arms organizations of 8 to 11 maneuver battalions, 3 to 4 field artillery battalions, and other combat, combat support, and combat service support units. Capable of performing any tactical mission and designed to be largely self-sustaining, divisions are the basic units of maneuver at the tactical level. Divisions possess great flexibility. They tailor their brigades and attached forces for specific combat missions. Their combat support and combat service support battalions and separate companies may be attached to or placed in support of brigades for the performance of a particular mission.

:Divisions perform major tactical operations for the corps and can conduct sustained battles and engagements. They almost never direct actions at the operational level (campaigns or major operations), but they may be used by corps to perform tasks of operational importance. These may include exploiting tactical advantages to seize objectives in depth, moving to gain contact with enemy forces, or moving by air to seize objectives behind an enemy force.

:The Army's organizational concept embraces six types of divisions - infantry, light infantry, mechanized infantry, armored, airborne, and air assault. The divisions are formed by adding a varying number and mixtures of combat maneuver battalions-infantry, light infantry, mechanized infantry, tank, airborne, or air assault-to a common division base. The division base, which is essentially the same in all types of divisions, includes the command and control, reconnaissance, combat support such as artistry, air defense, intelligence, aviation, signal, engineers, and combat service support element. Among the command and control elements are brigade headquarters which control the tactical operations of several attached maneuver battalions as determined by the division commander.

:Combat service support is provided by a Division Support Command (DISCOM). It provides supply, transportation, field maintenance, medical support, and administrative services to the division. DISCOMs are organized differently to best satisfy the support needs of each division. Divisions are supported administratively and logistically by Corps Support Commands (COSCOM) which are responsible for the centralized management of supplies, maintenance, and movement of personnel and materiel beyond the capability of the divisions. The theater Army, combining several principles of modern service management and automatic baa processing, completes the functional organization a all levels. This ensures the maximum degree of responsiveness, efficiency, and economy in providing combat service support.

:The Army maintains four active corps headquarters, 10 active divisions (six heavy and four light), and three armored cavalry regiments. Light forces are tailored for forcible-entry operations and for operations on restricted terrain, like mountains, jungles, and urban areas. Heavy forces are trained and equipped for operations against armies employing modern tanks and armored fighting vehicles. Light and heavy forces can operate independently or in combination, providing the mix of combat power needed for specific contingencies.

:Division XXI (DXXI) is the force designed to remain decisive in land warfare and optimized for mid to high intensity spectrum of conflict into the 21st Century. DXXI is the division design needed to serve as the core force essential for force cohesion and dominance to meet the demands in performing offensive and defensive operations in the expanded Division Battle Space of the future. The Standard Heavy Division is structured today at 18,069 (Mechanized Variant) and 17,832 (Armor Variant). The new division will be structured at 15,812 for the Mechanized Division Variant (15,299 AC, 515 RC) and 15,593 for the Armor Division Variant (15,080 AC, 515 RC). DXXI reduces Abrams and Bradley systems from 58 to 44 per battalion. Additionally, the increase to 3 squads with 9 infantrymen each (total 27) per platoon significantly enhances the fighting capability of mechanized infantry organizations. The 4th ID is designated as the Experimental Force (EXFOR) and serves as the Army's experimental testbed for new ideas on organization, doctrine, and equipment and testing information age technology. The 4th ID (-) will be digitized by the end of CY00, 1st CAV by FY03, 3rd ACR and the First Digitized Corps (III Corps) by FY04.

:The Army is undergoing an intensive period of transformation and is reorganizing its divisions to better accommodate new strategies and maximize their effectiveness. The Army is moving from a division-based system to one based on brigade combat teams that can deploy separately from their divisional sister brigades. The Army is also adding a fourth brigade combat team to all divisions.
*Heavy Division (Armored or Mechanized Infantry)

:The heavy division (armored and mechanized) has a division base of command and control, and combat service support capabilities, and nine maneuver battalions (5 armored and 4 mechanized infantry). Heavy divisions have large amounts of mobile, armor protected firepower. Because of mobility, survivability, and firepower, the heavy divisions are normally employed where battles are fought over wide areas against a threat with similar capabilities. During offensive operations, heavy divisions move rapidly, concentrate overwhelming combat power against the threat, break through the threat's defenses and then strike deep to destroy the threat's field artillery and other key targets. The heavy divisions operate best in open terrain where they can move quickly and can use their long-range direct fire weapons to their advantage. The heavy divisions are not designed to operate in dense forests, mountains, and built-up areas, although they can, to some extent, operate effectively in these terrains. Heavy divisions include the 1st Armored Division, 1st Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, and the 4th Infantry Division
*Airborne Division (Light)

:The Airborne Division is organized to be rapidly deployed anywhere in the world. It can secure critical installations or facilities; reinforce U.S. and allied forces; and conduct a show of force. The 82nd Airborne Division is the only airborne division in the U.S. Army. It maintains an infantry battalion that is on constant stand-by for possible deployment anywhere in the world within 24 hours.
*Air Assault Division (Light)

:The air assault division has a mission similar to that of the airborne division, in that it can deploy very rapidly and acts as a shock force. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is the only air assault division maintained by the U.S. Army. Instead of using the parachute as it's means of entry, the air assault division relies on helicopters for transport. The air assault was first successfully used in the Vietnam Conflict of the 1960s and 1970s.
*Infantry Division (Light)

:The infantry division (Light) was organized to meet the security demands of the dynamic and potentially volatile international environment, and to be highly flexible and strategically responsive across a broad spectrum of conflict. It is organized, equipped, and trained for combat in desert and arid mountainous areas and it retains the utility to respond to appropriate missions in nato or to provide increased mobility and firepower in a low-intensity conflict.

:The infantry division (Light) is a lethal, flexible, and versatile fighting force capable of responding quickly to crisis situations. The division is organized for responsive deployment, immediate combat operations upon arrival in any conflict environment, and quick retrieval from the operational area after the mission is completed. To meet a worst-case armored threat, the division is organized around combined arms battalions equipped with a substantial number of long-range anti-armor weapons. These weapons can be maneuvered quickly about the integrated battlefield using organic air and ground mobility.

:The division maintains the capability to see far enough into the battlefield to execute operations and influence the airland battle. It achieves maximum combat effectiveness including survivability, through force mobility system agility, distribution of command and control, and force-oriented tactics emphasizing indirect approaches and stand-off attacks to ensure survivability, the division habitually operates widely dispersed and relies on deception to mask its location and intentions. Such dispersion and the nature of the maneuver battle require that light infantry units be organized on a combined arms basis the division can be deployed in conjunction with heavy divisions and may be employed in an economy of force role thereby freeing heavy units to conduct other missions the division can also accept air assault, airborne, infantry, and armor units with appropriate combat support (CS) and combat service support (CSS) slices.

:The division is capable of operating on a nuclear or chemical battlefield. It has essential CSS capabilities to operate for up to 72 hours except for having water in arid environment and Class V (artillery) in high-intensity conflicts. Division Support Command [DISCOM]

:The Division Support Command [DISCOM] is the source of division-level logistics and HSS in the division. Although the division stresses area support, the DISCOM also provides CSS on a unit support basis and a task-support basis. The DISCOM, when augmented as required, may furnish area support to non-divisional units in the division area. Unit support is designated to a unit or units such as a maneuver brigade. In task support, the DISCOM furnishes a specific type or amount of a DISCOM element's support capability to designated units or an area to accomplish identified tasks. Communications systems are essential for gathering and disseminating data. Personnel need them to plan and execute operations. Commanders use them to perform C2 functions and to supervise performance. DISCOMs are currently undergoing a transformation into Division Sustainment Brigades, to better serve the Brigade-based Army transformation.
*Integrated Division

:The the Army National Guard Division Redesign Study recommended the establishment of two AC/NG Integrated Divisions, each consisting of an active Army headquarters (staffed by some of the 5,000 AC support personnel) and three Army National Guard enhanced Separate Brigades. An Active Component Division Commander would become responsible for the combat readiness of the three brigades and the other elements necessary to create a full division capable of deploying in wartime. The 30th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (North Carolina), the 218th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (South Carolina), and the 48th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (Georgia) make up a division headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. The other Integrated Division, headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado, will be composed of the 39th Infantry Brigade (Arkansas), the 45th Infantry Brigade (Oklahoma), and the 41st Infantry Brigade (Oregon). The activation date for the two divisions was 01 October 1999.

:The integrated division concept establishes an active duty division headquarters to oversee the training and readiness of its associated three Enhanced Separate Brigades (eSBs). While this arrangement provides readiness and training benefits to the eSBs, under this concept the integrated division is not deployable because it lacks a division combat support (CS)-combat service support (CSS) base. Although the AC/RC integrated divisions currently are not deployable as division-sized combat formations, the Army has identified deployability as a possible future evolution of this concept. #Brigades that are organic to divisions will normally be numbered in series within the division beginning with "1st". Example: 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

:Brigade-sized units, which are normally commanded by Colonels but may, as in the case of separate brigades, be commanded by Brigadier Generals, control two or more battalions. Their capabilities for self-support and independent action vary considerably with the type of brigade. Maneuver brigades are the major combat units of all types of divisions. They can also be organized as separate units. ::While separate brigades have a fixed organization, division commanders establish the organization of their brigades and change their organizations as frequently as necessary for mission accomplishment. The only permanent unit assigned to a brigade is its headquarters and headquarters company (HHC). They can employ any combination of maneuver battalions and they are normally supported by field artillery battalions, aviation units, and by smaller combat, combat support, and combat service support units. Brigades combine the efforts of their battalions and companies to fight engagements and to perform major tactical tasks in division battles. Their chief tactical responsibility is synchronizing the plans and actions of their subordinate units to accomplish a single task for the division or corps. ::The primary mission of the brigade is to deploy on short notice and destroy, capture, or repel enemy forces, using maneuver and combat power. Armored and mechanized brigades are organized to fight successful engagements in conventional and various military operations other than war (MOOTW) activities. Brigades also conduct various MOOTW activities, independently or as part of a joint or multinational headquarters in peacetime and conflict environments. They are subordinate commands of a division and corps and perform major tactical operations as part of a division or corps operation. ::Other combat, combat support, and combat service support brigades are organized to control non-divisional units for corps and larger units. Engineer, air defense artillery, signal, aviation, military police, and transportation brigades are typical of such units. They may also be the building blocks of large unit support such as corps support commands and of combat support commands such as engineer commands. Divisions are supported by an organic brigade-sized support command of mixed combat service support battalions and companies.
*Separate Brigades

:Separate brigades of infantry, armor, field artillery, air defense artillery, and engineer can be used to reinforce corps or divisions and can be shifted from unit to unit to tailor forces for combat. Separate brigades are usually employed as integral units when attached to corps or divisions. The separate brigade sometimes conducts independent operations, attaches to a division, or is placed under the control of a higher command such as a corps. It is organized to provide its own support. The separate brigade has maneuver battalions. They are tank, mechanized infantry, infantry battalions, and armored cavalry squadrons. Such units as the engineer company and the artillery battalion provide combat support to these combat units. The Separate Brigade can control up to five maneuver battalions. Additionally, combat support and combat service support units may be attached to the brigade as required by the Brigade's mission, operating circumstances, and the commander's intent. ::The vast array of enemy forces and range of potential areas of conflict necessitate a tactical element (separate brigade or regiment) smaller than a division with its own support assets, capable of strategic and tactical deployments. The separate brigade allows the national command authority latitude in its force projection options. It also affords commanders of forward deployed forces a flexible asset which can be used in numerous roles and missions, such as reconnaissance, screening, and covering force operations. The separate brigade is a flexible unique fighting organization that provides its own DS. The separate brigades included in this manual are the heavy separate brigade and the separate infantry brigade/theater defense brigade. The separate brigade's main focus is to defeat the enemy. It uses effective maneuver, firepower, protection, and sound leadership through close combat and offensive action. It supports offensive, defensive, or retrograde operations as an independent force or part of a larger force. It may be attached to a division (less support) to concentrate combat power. It may also be placed under the control of a higher command such as a corps. It conducts limited independent operations under the direction of a joint task force or theater commander. It functions as a corps reserve force or as a corps rear protection force. It also functions as a security force on the flanks or in front of the corps.
*Aviation Brigade.

: Common to all heavy and light active divisions throughout the Army, the aviation brigade is the principle aviation organization. The aviation brigade is considered a maneuver brigade, normally designated the 4th brigade in most divisions. It is designed to fight, command, and resource aviation forces. The typical brigade consists of 131 aircraft and has a headquarters and headquarters company (HHC), a cavalry squadron (w/air and ground assets), a command aviation company (CAC), an assault helicopter company (AHC) and one or two attack helicopter battalions (ATKHB). Forward deployed brigades have two Attack Helicopter Battalions. The HHC contains a full staff complement for executing all staff functions to include issuance of plans and orders. The aviation brigade HQs receives priority of aircraft support from the CAC. The brigade's intermediate maintenance falls under the DISCOM.

:In the Light Divisions, brigade organizational structure includes an HHC, a reconnaissance squadron, two Assault Helicopter Companies and one ATKHB.
*Aviation Brigade-Air Assault Division.

A significantly heartier organization in aircraft and organizational structure with four Attack Helicopter Battalions (AH-64), two AHBs (UH-60), a medium lift aviation battalion (CH-47) with two 16 ship companies, a command aviation battalion, an air reconnaissance squadron, a medical evacuation battalion and an aviation maintenance battalion. Total aircraft is 327: 15 OH, 52 SCT, 84 AH-64, 32 UH-1, 102 UH-60, 32 CH-47. The 101st Air Assault division is the only unit with this organization.

:Additional Corps level aviation organizational structures are activated during war with operational assets to include the Corps aviation brigade with two attack helicopter regiments and an aviation group.

:In May 1995, the Commission on Roles and Missions recommended that the Army reorganize lower priority Reserve Component forces to fill force shortfalls in higher priority areas. In keeping with this recommendation, the Army conducted Total Army Analysis 003 in late 1995 to determine potential shortfalls in personnel required to implement the National Military Strategy. As a result, the Army determined that nearly 124,800 additional Combat Support and Combat Service Support personnel were required. Following this conclusion, the ARNG commissioned the Army National Guard Division Redesign Study to examine ways it could address this shortfall. As a result of the study, the Guard will convert a number of units from Combat to Combat Support and Combat Service Support formations in the coming years. Among other suggestions, the study recommended the conversion of up to 12 ARNG combat brigades and their associated divisional slice elements to CS/CSS units during FY99-2012.

:The the Army National Guard Division Redesign Study recommended the establishment of two AC/NG Integrated Divisions, each consisting of an active Army headquarters and three Army National Guard enhanced Separate Brigades. An Active Component Division Commander would become responsible for the combat readiness of the three brigades and the other elements necessary to create a full division capable of deploying in wartime. The 30th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (North Carolina), the 218th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (South Carolina), and the 48th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (Georgia) will make up a division headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. The other Integrated Division, to be headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado, will be composed of the 39th Infantry Brigade (Arkansas), the 45th Infantry Brigade (Oklahoma), and the 41st Infantry Brigade (Oregon). The activation date for the two divisions was 01 October 1999.
*Strike Force / Medium Weight Brigade / Initial Brigade

:The high frequency of joint contingency operations in the 1990's exposed an area of risk with respect to the Army's ability to respond rapidly to crisis. Accordingly, the 1999 Army Strategic Planning Guidance (ASPG) establishes and explicit requirement for the Army of the 21st Century to become more strategically responsive. To meet these requirements the Army began the development of the STRIKE FORCE.

:Several concrete challenges must be overcome to satisfy this requirement. The Army organization and force structure is not optimized for full spectrum strategic responsiveness. Frequent contingency responses also place a heavy burden on the operational tempo (OPTEMPO) on Army forces. The Army's contingency experience has also established a continuing requirement for rapid, effective team-building of specifically tailored Army task forces comprised of units drawn from the Army's mix of AC/RC, SOF/conventional, and mechanized/light forces.

:The STRIKE FORCE mission would be to deploy globally with a mission tailored force package of combat, combat support, and combat service support forces to conduct strategically responsive operations in support of joint contingencies. Capable of commitment across the full spectrum of conflict, the STRIKE FORCE is optimized to conduct small-scale contingency operations and to deter or contain crises, employing the full range of Army, joint, multinational, and interagency capabilities. The STRIKE FORCE may also support offensive or defensive decisive operations and conduct humanitarian assistance. In addition, the STRIKE FORCE Headquarters serves as a vehicle for developing the future force.

:In October 1999 Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki announced that the Army would develop two technology-enhanced, fast-deployable and lethal brigades at Fort Lewis WA using knowledge gained by Force XXI experiments and off-the-shelf technology available from the private sector. Additionally, heavy tracked vehicles like armored personnel carriers and tanks would be replaced out by lighter, faster, more fuel-efficient wheeled vehicles. He said the Army would develop the capability to put brigade combat teams anywhere in the world within 96 hours after liftoff, a division on the ground in 120 hours, and five divisions within 30 days. The new Initial Brigades build on the Strike Force concept, which focused on the the ability to deploy, almost immediately, a lethal modular force, tailored to operational requirements. The result was the "Stryker Brigade", named for the Stryker which is the main combat vehicle in the brigade. There are currently 3 Stryker brigades, with another 3 planned for conversion from existing units.#Parent regiments organized under the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) or U.S. Army Regimental System (USARS), with the exception of TOE regiments, consist of a variable number of active elements, depending upon Army force structure requirements. The word "regiment" is usually understood and not included in a unit's official designation. Examples: 1st Battalion, 3d Infantry; 3d Battalion, 3d Infantry.
*Regiments, which are normally commanded by Colonels, control two or more battalions. Their capabilities for self-support and independent action vary considerably with the type of regiment. Maneuver brigades are the major combat units of all types of divisions. Armored cavalry regiments, which have a fixed organization, combine the efforts of their battalions and companies to fight engagements and to perform major tactical tasks in division battles. Their chief tactical responsibility is synchronizing the plans and actions of their subordinate units to accomplish a single task for the division or corps.

:Aviation and armored cavalry regiments can be used to reinforce corps or divisions and can be shifted from unit to unit to tailor forces for combat. Regiments are usually employed as integral units when attached to corps or divisions.

#Within battalions and squadrons the headquarters element will be designated headquarters company, detachment, battery, or troop, as appropriate. Other elements of the battalion or squadron will ordinarily be lettered alphabetically, beginning with " A. "

:Battalions consist of two or more company-sized units and a headquarters. Most battalions are organized by branch, arm, or service and, in addition to a typical compliment of three to five operational companies, contain a headquarters company that gives them the ability to perform some administrative and logistic services.

:Combat arms battalions are designed to perform single tactical missions as part of a brigade's tactical operations. Battalions attack, defend, delay, or move to assume new missions. Field artillery battalions fire in support of any of these missions. Maneuver battalions can be reinforced with other combat and combat support companies to form task forces for special missions, to tailor the force to match the mission. Field artillery battalions can be reinforced with batteries of any kind to form artillery task forces.

:Engineer, ADA, and signal battalions assigned to or supporting divisions normally operate throughout the division area of operations. Their commanders also perform additional duties as division special staff officers (for example, the military police battalion commander is also the Division Provost Marshall). Combat support and combat service support battalions vary widely in type and organization. They may be separate divisional or non-divisional battalions but, in any case, they normally perform functional services for a larger supported unit within that unit's area of operations.

:All battalions, regardless of type, have at least two things in common: they are capable of at least limited, short-term self-defense and they are all generally commanded by Lieutenant Colonels. The maneuver battalions have similar organizational structures which vary only to fit their individual roles. The battalions are tactically self-sufficient and each battalion is of essentially one combat arm; e.g., infantry in the mechanized infantry battalions.The battalions are capable of cross-attachment of companies of different types to form battalion-level task forces for particular missions. The number and type of maneuver battalions vary with the nature of the divisions. Normally, an armored division will have more tank battalions than mechanized infantry battalions, while a mechanized infantry division will have a greater proportion of mechanized infantry battalions. An infantry division consists predominantly of infantry battalions with some tank battalions and mechanized infantry battalions, as required. Any division, however, could have all three types of battalions if the mission and operational environment so required.

:The Battalion is the lowest echelon at which firepower, maneuver, intelligence, and support are combined under a single commander. Battalions normally fight enemy forces they can see and engage--this defines an area of operations extending from less than 100 meters in forests, urban areas, or close terrain, out to about 5 to 6 kilometers from the battalion's direct and indirect fire weapon systems. During the offense, the battalion task force is expected to defeat a defending enemy company. During the defense, the battalion task force is expected to defend against and defeat a threat regiment. The battalion has no deep fight, but may be charged with the execution of the fight against follow-on enemy battalions. The battalion normally designates a company-size reserve as a counterattack force.
*A tank or mechanized infantry battalion consists of pure companies under the command of a battalion headquarters. ::The capability of the tank and mechanized infantry battalions is increased through task organization. Based on his estimate of the situation, the brigade commander task-organizes tank and mechanized infantry battalions by cross-attaching companies between these units. As a rule, cross-attachment is done at battalion, because battalion has the necessary command and control and support capabilities to employ combined arms formations. The brigade commander determines the mix of companies in a task force.
*Light Infantry Battalion. ::This is the most austere conventional combat battalion; its organization differs most from that of the light armor battalion. This battalion has only three rifle companies and a headquarters company. The light infantry battalion is an austere combat unit whose primary strengths are its abilities to operate under conditions of limited visibility and in close combat. The primary weapon of the light infantry battalion is the M16. There are 65 M203 grenade launchers, 18 M60 machine guns, and 18 Dragons in the battalion. There are four TOWs, four 81-mm mortars, and six 60-mm mortars. The battalion has 27 HMMWVs and 15 motorcycles. There are no 2-1/2 ton or larger trucks in the battalion. There are 42 AN/PRC-77 radios, which are the primary means of communication within the battalion. There are no redundant radios. When attached, the light infantry battalion may come with a 105-mm howitzer battery from the infantry brigades direct support FA battalion. The differences among this battalion and air assault and airborne battalions are greatest in the organization of support and logistics. The battalion has no trucks larger than its 27 cargo high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs). There is no mess team in the battalion; Class I supply is prepared by brigade. There is only one mechanic in the entire battalion; repairs are conducted at brigade level. The battalion has only 18 long-range radios. The light infantry battalion has limited antiarmor capability: a HMMWV-mounted tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile (TOW) platoon at battalion level and a Dragon (Javelin) section at company level.
*Air Assault Battalion.

:The air assault battalion and the airborne battalion are similarly organized with three rifle companies, an antiarmor company, and a headquarters company. Tactical movement for both usually is a combination of air insertion and foot marches. A major difference, however, is in the number and types of wheeled vehicles in the air assault battalion. The battalion has six 5-ton cargo trucks and 45 HMMWVs. There is a mess section and a 17-person maintenance platoon. Communications are served by 29 long-range radios. Antiarmor capability of the line company is decentralized down to each rifle squad.
*Airborne Battalion. ::Once inserted, the airborne battalion tactically performs much like a light infantry battalion; walking is a principal means of transportation. It does have 10 2-1/2-ton trucks and 36 cargo HMMWVs, and it can move nontactically by truck. It has a mess section and a 16-member maintenance platoon. The airborne battalion has 30 long-range radios. Its rifle squads also have antiarmor capability.
*Field Artillery Direct Support Battalions in Light Divisions Primary weapons system is the M102, 105-mm towed howitzer. This is currently being replaced by the M119, 105-mm, British Light Gun
*Field Artillery Direct Support Battalions in Heavy Divisions Primary weapons systems is the M109 Paladin, 155-mm, self-propelled howitzer.
*Field Artillery General Support Battalions in Light Divisions: Primary weapons system is the M198, 155-mm towed howitzer.
*Field Artillery General Support Battalions in Heavy Divisions: Primary weapons system is the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
*Field Artillery Battalions of the Heavy Field Artillery Brigades (Corps Artillery): The Multiple Launch Rocket System; the M109 Paladin, 155-mm self-propelled howitzer.
*Field Artillery Battalions of the Light Field Artillery Brigades: Primary weapons systems are the M198, 155-mm towed howitzer and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.
*The Attack Helicopter Battalion (ATKHB) is employed only as a battalion size force. Companies are not separately employed away from the battalion for C2 and logistical reasons. Mission is to destroy armor and mechanized targets with mobility, firepower and shock effect. The Battalion consists of a HHC, an aviation maintenance company, and three attack companies (6 AH-64).

:The basic TOE unit of the engineer system is the battalion. Although engineer battalions normally have a fixed organization, they may also be tailored for specific requirements. Battalions are employed when it is desirable to assign a unit with the complete control of a task or an area. There are four basic types of engineer battalions, plus a variety of different types of separate companies:
*Combat Engineer Battalion (Divisional)
*Combat Engineer Battalion (Corps)
*Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy)
*Engineer Topographic Battalion
*Separate Engineer Companies
*Combat Engineer Battalion (Divisional) -- ::Under provisions of the Engineer Restructure Initiative (ERI), each heavy division has an Engineer Brigade with three organic divisional engineer battalions organized and equipped to provide combat engineer support. These battalions will support the ground maneuver brigades of armor and/or mechanized infantry and consist of four engineer companies. The other divisions will have only one organic engineer battalion composed of four or five engineer companies. Regardless of structure, these battalions perform the primary combat engineer missions in the division's sector and forward.
*Combat Engineer Battalion (Corps) --

:Corps combat engineer battalions are normally assigned to a corps' engineer brigade (i.e. V Corps in Europe contains the 130th Engineer Brigade consisting of three engineer battalions and a number of separate companies). Most corps combat engineer battalions in Europe have been converted into tracked units (i.e. squads are transported in armored personnel carriers). Somewhat larger than the divisional engineer battalions, the corps combat engineer battalions provide combat and sustainment engineering support in the corps and division sectors. They may reinforce divisional engineer battalions and execute infantry combat missions when required.
*Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy) -- ::The combat heavy engineer battalion is normally assigned to an engineer brigade within a corps or theater army. The combat heavy engineer battalion has equipment and personnel skilled in earthmoving and construction. The battalion primarily works in rear areas on sustainment engineering tasks. However, its earthmoving capabilities may be effectively used to provide combat support in forward areas when not under direct fire (i.e. tank ditches, etc.). Missions include the construction of roads, airfields, structures and utilities for the Army and Air Force.

:Engineer Topographic Battalion -- Engineer topographic battalions are assigned to the senior engineer headquarters of a theater army. These units provide topographic engineer and terrain analysis support to all units. It does not have the capability to accomplish infantry combat missions.

#Separate lettered companies, batteries, or troops may be organized within parent regiments. These units are considered to be separate elements of the parent regiment. Examples: Battery A, 94th Field Artillery; Company E, 51st Infantry; Troop D, 7th Cavalry.#Companies and corresponding units that are organically included within separate battalions and squadrons will be designated as prescribed in paragraph (5) above.
*Company-sized units are normally commanded by Captains. They consist of two or more platoons, usually of the same type, a headquarters, and, in some cases, a limited self-support capability. Companies are the basic elements of all battalions. They are also assigned as separate units of brigades and larger organizations (for example, the brigade or division Headquarters Company). All close combat companies can fight massed or by separate platoons.

:In infantry, armor, and attack helicopter battalions, companies normally fight as integral units. Attack helicopter companies more frequently fight with their platoons in separate zones, sectors, or areas. Company-sized close combat units are capable of fighting without additional reinforcements but they are normally augmented with such units as short-range air defense (or SHORAD) teams. They may also be reinforced with maneuver platoons of the same or different types and with engineer squads or platoons to form company teams. The formation of company teams allows tailoring forces for a particular mission.
*Combat engineer companies control three or four engineer platoons. They may be employed by their own battalion in a variety of tasks or they may support maneuver brigades or battalions. Separate brigades and regiments usually have an assigned combat engineer company. Most other combat support and combat service support units are formed as companies.
*The Assault Helicopter Company (AHC) is a unit of the Aviation Brigade which is common to all heavy and light active divisions throughout the Army. The primary organic air mover of the division with 18 UH-60s, it consists of a HQs section, an aviation maintenance platoon, a flight operations section and three UH-60 flight platoons. The Command Aviation Company(CAC) provides C2, special electronic mission aircraft (SEMA) and field artillery observers for the division.
*Separate Engineer Companies -- ::Separate engineer companies in the force structure are designed to provide additional specialized support in areas such as bridging, equipment support, port construction, pipeline construction, mapping and terrain analysis. #Units organized under cellular TOE containing separate platoons or higher headquarters cells are designated according to the highest cell used. Examples: 39th Transportation Battalion and 28th Transportation Platoon, both organized under TOE 55â€"500H. When no headquarters cell is used and the unit consists of one or more cells, it will be designated as a detachment. Words descriptive of the unit's predominant functions may be added parenthetically. Where no function predominates in a service-type unit, the word " service "may be used parenthetically in lieu of a specific function. Example: 65th Military Police Platoon (Service). When elements of a unit are split, that is, operating independently or away from the parent unit, the elements are be numbered consecutively beginning with "1". Examples: Detachment 1, 169th Engineer Company; Detachment 2, 169th Engineer Company.

:Platoons consist of two or more squads, sections, or crews. In Armor a Platoon consist of five tank crews, in Infantry, a platoon consists of three rifle squads and a weapons squad or section. Lieutenants lead most platoons, and the second-in-command is generally a Sergeant First Class. The light armor platoon consists of four M8 light tanks and 12 personnel organized into two sections of two M8s each. Although the light armor platoon is an integral part of the light armor company, it is capable of detaching from the company and then operating with a light infantry battalion. When the platoon operates with its parent light armor company, its fundamental employment is similar to that of an armor platoon. ::Platoon-sized units such as Detachments are normally commanded by Lieutenants. The Long Range Surveillance Detachment [LRSD] is organized as a detachment organic to the military intelligence battalion at division level (Figure 1-2). The LRSDs are organized into a headquarters section, communications section (two base radio stations), and six surveillance teams. (Light division LRS detachments only have four surveillance teams.) The leaders are airborne and ranger qualified. All other personnel in the detachment are airborne qualified.
*Squads, sections, and crews generally are the smallest organizations in tactical units. While size can vary greatly, most range from four, as in a tank crew, to ten or twelve soldiers, as in a rifle squad or mortar section. Generally, Staff Sergeants are the leaders of squads, sections, and crews.

:The Company Fire Support Officer (FSO), a Field Artillery lieutenant, leads the Fire Support Team (FIST). He and his team are responsible for planning and coordinating the fires of the infantry or armor company or cavalry troop his FIST is supporting. The Company FSO works with the maneuver company/ troop commander to develop a fire support plan for the units scheme of maneuver. The fire support plan integrates all available artillery fires as well as those of the mortars organic to the maneuver units. When these systems are employed, the FIST calls for and adjusts fires on enemy targets. An important tool of the Company FSO is the Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator (G/VLLD). The G/VLLD can be grounded-mounted or mounted in the Fire Support Vehicle (FSV).

:Surveillance Teams consist of a team leader, an assistant team leader, three observers, and a RATELO. The teams obtain and report information about enemy forces within their assigned areas. They can operate independently with little or no external support in all environments. They are lightly armed with limited self-defense capabilities. To be easily transportable, they are equipped with lightweight, man-portable equipment. The teams are limited by the amount of weight that they can carry or cache. Because all team members are airborne qualified, all means of insertion are available to the commander when planning operations.
*An MTOE unit is inactivated when it is no longer required in the active force structure. The designation reverts to the inactive rolls until the unit is reactivated or disbanded.
*The Center of Military History will disband inactive MTOE units when their retention on the rolls no longer serves the needs of the Army.

TDA units

A Table of Distribution and Allowance (TDA) is an authorization document that prescribes the organizational structure and the personnel and equipment requirements and authorizations of a military unit to perform a specific mission for which there is no appropriate TOE. An augmentation TDA is an authorization document created to authorize additional personnel or equipment or both by an MTOE unit to perform an added peacetime or non-MTOE mission. A TDA may contain civilian positions, an MTOE may not.

A Mobilization TDA is an authorization document that shows the planned mobilization mission, organizational structure, and personnel and equipment requirements for TDA units to be authorized under the Non-deployment Mobilization Troop Basis (NDMTB).

An Augmentation TDA is a table of distribution and allowances document created to authorize additional personnel and equipment required for an MTOE unit to perform an added non-MTOE mission. An augmentation TDA may contain civilian positions.

A TDA unit or activity is organized and/or discontinued per Army Regulation 310â€"49.

TDA units are designated by the head of an HQDA agency or by a MACOM commander. The designation must be approved by the Center of Military History.

The designation of a TDA unit or activity must be sufficiently descriptive to identify the unit or activity with its command or agency, its mission, and/or its echelon of command. The term "U.S. Army" is used in the title of theunit or activity to identify the Service, except for TDA augmentations to MTOE units and other exceptions as approved by the Center of Military History, such as the United States Military Academy.

TDA units and activities are be designated with a numerical prefix, except units of training centers, specified units in the active Army training base, U.S. Army Reserve commands, and other exceptions as approved by the Center of Military History. To differentiate among TDA units and activities bearing similar designations, the location of the unit may be added to the designation. Examples: U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Lee, Virginia; U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Hood, Texas.

TDA unit and activity designations are followed in parentheses by the complete unit identification code (UIC). Example: U.S. Army Garrison, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland (WOUSAA). The UIC is used as a means of positive identification.

[1]). The U.S. Army is divided into the following components, from largest to smallest:

U.S. Generals, World War II, Europe: back row (left to right): Stearley, Vandenberg, Smith, Weyland, Nugent; front row: Simpson, Patton, Spaatz, Eisenhower, Bradley, Hodges, Gerow.

HHC, US Army Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

U.S. 1st Army

#Field Army: Usually commanded by a General (GEN; note that abbreviations of military rank within the U.S. Army are given in all capital letters without a period or other punctuation).:#Corps: Formerly consisted of two or more divisions and organic support brigades. Now is an "operational unit of employment," that may command a flexible number of modular units. The commander is most often a Lieutenant General (LTG).:#Division: Usually commanded by a Major General (MG). Formerly consisted of three maneuver brigades, a division artillery, a division support command, an aviation brigade, an engineer brigade (in heavy divisions only) and other support assets. Until the Brigade Combat Team program was developed, the division was the smallest self-sufficient level of organization in the US Army. Current divisions are "tactical units of employment," and may command a flexible number of modular units, but generally will include four brigade combat teams and a combat aviation brigade.:#Brigade (or group): Composed of typically three or more battalions, and commanded by a Colonel (COL) or occasionally a Brigadier General (BG). (See Regiment for combat arms units.) Since the Brigade Unit of Action program was initiated, maneuver brigades have transformed into brigade combat teams, generally consisting of two maneuver battalions, a cavalry squadron, a fires battalion, a special troops battalion (with engineers, signals, and military intelligence), and a support battalion. Stryker Brigade Combat Teams have a somewhat larger structure.:#Battalion (or Squadron (Cavalry)): A Battalion usually consists of two to six companies and roughly 300 to 1000 soldiers. Most 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). This unit consists of a Battalion Commander (CO, LTC), a Battalion Executive Officer (XO, MAJ), a Command Sergeant Major (CSM) and headquarters, and three to five Companies.:#Company (or artillery battery/cavalry troop): A company usually consists of three to four platoons and roughly 100 to 130 soldiers. Artillery units are formed into batteries. Cavalry units are formed into troops. A company-sized unit is usually led by a Company Commander usually the rank of Captain/O-3 (CPT) supported by a First Sergeant/E-8 (1SG). This unit consists of a Company Commander (CO, CPT), a Company Executive Officer (XO, 1LT), A First Sergeant (1SG) and a headquarters, and two or more Platoons.:#Platoon: Usually led by a lieutenant supported by a Sergeant First Class/E-7 (SFC). This unit consists of a Platoon Leader (2LT/1LT), a Platoon Sergeant (SFC), a Radio-Telephone Operator (Usually a PFC or SPC) and two or more Squad Leaders (any NCO).:#Section (military unit): Usually directed by Staff Sergeants/E-6 (SSG) who supply guidance for junior NCO Squad leaders. Often used in conjunction with platoons at the company level.:#Squad: Squad leaders are usually Staff Sergeants/E-6 (SSG)and can be Sergeants/E-5 (SGT). This unit consists of eight to ten soldiers.:#Fire team: In the Infantry it usually consists of four soldiers: a fire team leader, a grenadier, an automatic rifleman, and a rifleman. Fire team leaders are usually Sergeants/E-5 (SGT), but sometimes Corporals/E-4 (CPL).

Organization

Army Birthdays

Structure

Named campaigns

Revolutionary War

War of 1812

Mexican War Campaigns

Civil War Campaigns

Indian Campaigns

Spanish-American War Campaigns

China Relief Expedition Campaigns

Philippine Insurrection Campaigns

Mexican Service Campaigns

World War I Campaigns

World War II Campaigns

American Theater

Asiatic-Pacific Theater

European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater

Korean Service Campaigns

Vietnam Service Campaigns

Armed Forces Expeditionary Campaigns

Southwest Asia Service Campaigns

Kosovo Campaigns

Afghanistan Campaign

Global War on Terror Campaign

Iraq Campaign

Rank Structure

History

Officers Rank Insignia

Use of Silver and Gold

Enlisted Personnel Insignia of Rank

Background

Method of Wearing

Training

Oath of Office

Uniforms

Customs

When to Give the Salute

Leadership

The Root Reform Era

General

Roots Reforms

=Command

=Changes in the National Guard

=Branch and School Reforms

=Additional Changes

Secretary of The Army

Major Commands of the United States Army