Stemming from the conviction that British actions toward the Colonists demanded measures of defense be taken, it was determined continental forces must be unified for what was to become American Liberty.  On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of ten companies of riflemen to serve the United Colonies in the fight against Great Britain, thus creating the Continental Army.

On June 15, 1775, General George Washington was appointed as the first Commander-in-Chief of these companies, and took formal command in Boston on July 3 of that year.  On June 30, 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of War and the Revolutionary War officially began at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

The Continental Army won victory over Britain for the independence of our country with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.  As the war closed, the US began to disband the Continental Army, the majority of said action complete when it was realized the new nation had need of an organized, trained, standing army.  Thus, Congress officially created the United States Army on June 3, 1784. This 'United States Army', which is the Army of today, considers itself the descendant of the Continental Army and dates its inception back to the June 14, 1775 founding date.

 
Many major recognition dates for this honored branch of the United States Armed Forces would be:

June 14, 1775 - ARMY INFANTRY - The Continental Congress authorized by resolution, ten companies of riflemen.

June 16, 1775 - ADJUTANT GENERALADJUTANT GENERAL - The post of Adjutant General established.

June 16, 1775 - CHIEF ENGINEER FOR THE ARMY - Authority for position established by Continental Congress.

June 16, 1775 - PAY DEPARTMENT - Created on June 16, 1775; became Finance Department, July 1, 1920; became Finance Corps in 1950.

June 16, 1775  - QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT - Established June 16, 1775; now named Quartermaster Corps.

July 27, 1775 - ARMY HOSPITAL - Established July 27, 1775; headed by a Director General and a Chief Physician. Medical Department established 1818; Army Nurse Corps February, 2 1901; Dental Corps March 3, 1911; Veterinary Corps June 3, 1916; Medical Service Corps June 30, 1917; Army Medical Specialist Corps April 16, 1947. Medical Department renamed Army Medical Service by Army Organization Act of 1950. Army Medical Service re-designated Army Medical Department, June 4, 1968.

July 29, 1775 - CHAPLAINS - Provision of pay for Chaplains established July 29, 1775; Office of the Chief of Chaplains created in 1920 by National Defense Act.

July 29, 1775 - OFFICE OF JUDGE ADVOCATE - Office created July 29, 1775; Judge Advocate General's Department established 1884; designated Judge Advocate General's Corps in 1948.

November 17, 1775 - AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY and FIELD ARTILLERY - Henry Knox elected Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery on November 17, 1775; regiment entered service formally on January 1, 1776.

December 12, 1776 - CAVALRY - Authorized by Continental Congress December 12, 1776; first continuous mounted service, Regiment of Dragoons, organized 1833.

June 3, 1784 - ARMY REGIMENT - Oldest regular Army infantry regiment, the 3d Infantry Regiment, constituted as First American Regiment.

March 11, 1779 - CORPS OF ENGINEERS - Authorized by Congress on March 11, 1779; became present day Army Corps of Engineers on March 16, 1802.

May 14, 1812 - ORDANCE DEPARTMENT - Established by Congress on May 14, 1812; became Ordnance Corps in 1950.

March 3, 1813 - ADJUTANT GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT - Established March 3, 1813; re-designated Adjutant General's Corps in 1950.

July 4, 1838 - CORPS OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS - Authorized by Congress on July 4, 1838; merged with the Corps of Engineers in March of 1863.

June 21, 1860 - SIGNAL DEPARTMENT - Established June 21, 1860, with the appointment of Assistant Surgeon Albert J. Myer to be Signal Officer; authorized by Congress as a separate branch of the Army on March 3, 1863, the Signal Corps.
April 23, 1908 - ARMY RESERVE - created when Senate Bill 1424 passed.

March 5, 1918 - TANK SERVICE - Tank Service formed, March 5, 1918. tracing origin from Cavalry; becomes Armored Force on July 10, 1940; and a permanent branch of the Army in 1950, Armor branch.

June 28, 1918 - CHEMICAL WARFARE SERVICE - Established June 28, 1918; became permanent branch of the Army in 1920 through the National Defense Act; re-designated the Chemical Corps in 1945.

September 26, 1941 - CORPS OF MILITARY POLICE - Regular Provost Marshal General and Military Police Corps established. (Provost Marshal appointed at periodic times since 1776; and Provost Corps utilized as early as 1778.)

May 14, 1942 - WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS - Celebrated as Women's Army Corps Birthday.

June 19, 1942 - RANGERS - 1st Ranger Battalion activated.

July 31, 1942 - TRANSPORTATION CORPS - Organized, July 31, 1942; prior to that time transportation operations were the responsibility of the Quartermaster General.

July 1, 1962 - MILITARY INTELLIGENCE - Intelligence and Security Branch established in the Army by General Orders No. 38 3July1962, effective July 1, 1962; branch re-designated Military Intelligence, July 1, 1967.

April 12, 1983 - AVIATION - Aviation within the Army became a separate branch on April 12, 1983, as a full member of the Army's combined Arms Team.

April 9, 1987 - SPECIAL FORCES - Special Forces Branch of the Army established April 9, 1987 by General Orders No. 35 19June1987; the first Special Forces units had been formed on June 11, 1952. (Also known as Green Berets.)

August 17, 1955 - CIVIL AFFAIRS - Army Reserve Civil Affairs / Military Government Branch established August 17, 1955; re-designated Civil Affairs Branch October 2, 1959; became basic branch per General Order 29 12January2007.

October 16, 2006 - PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS - Established as a basic branch per General Order 30 12January2007.

January 1, 2008 - LOGISTICS - Established by General Order 6 272007.
 
 

The Army has adopted and teaches as basic warrior traits, "The 7 Army Core Values", which are as follows:

LOYALTY – Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and fellow Soldiers

DUTY – Fulfill your obligations.

RESPECT – Treat others as they should be treated.

SELFLESS SERVICE – Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.

HONOR – Live the Army Values.

INTEGRITY – Do what's right, both legally and morally.

PERSONAL COURAGE – Face fear, danger, or adversity, both physical and moral.

 
WE ARE PROUD OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES ARMY!!!
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US SAFE AND FREE!!!

~ Rev. Lin