Jonah Patel
The United States military was founded in 1775 as the Continental Army, with the Continental Congress authorizing ten companies of riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to give the new army a more national composition. However, the US Army only gained legal recognition in 1789 under the Constitution, with the passing of the Act for Establishment of the Troops. The Constitution divides military power between Congress, which has the power to declare war, and the President, who is named the Commander-in-Chief.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of creation of the US military | June 14, 1775 (as the Continental Army) or 1789 (under the current Constitution) |
| Size of the military | 1,359,685 service members in the regular armed forces and 799,845 in the reserves as of February 28, 2019 |
| Position in the world | Third largest military by active personnel in the world |
| Type of military | All-volunteer military, with conscription possible at the president's request and Congress' approval |
| Military provisions in the Constitution | Power to "declare war", "provide and maintain a navy", and "raise and support armies" |
| Control of the military | Under civilian control, with the military chain of command flowing from the President to the secretary of defense or homeland security |
| Founding Fathers' views | Moderate Whigs believed a professional army could coexist with freedom if under proper constitutional safeguards |
| Founding of the US Army | June 14, 1775 (as the Continental Army) or 1789 (as the US Army) |
| US Army size | 450,000 active-duty personnel expected in 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
The Continental Army was formed in 1775
The US military was founded under the Constitution in 1789, but its roots go back to the creation of the Continental Army in 1775.
The Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress, meeting in present-day Independence Hall in Philadelphia, voted to establish a military force to provide for the common defence of the colonies. The Continental Army was America's first formal military force, and it played a crucial role in the American Revolution.
The term "Continental Army" was used as early as June 3, 1775, but no such organisation formally existed at that time. The colonies had relied on Patriot militias, which were made up of part-time citizen-soldiers for local defence, or temporary provincial troops. However, as tensions with Great Britain increased, colonists began to reform their militias in anticipation of potential conflict. The training of militiamen increased after the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774.
On April 23, 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress authorised the raising of a colonial army consisting of 26 company regiments. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut also raised similar but smaller forces. The Continental Army incorporated these existing patriot forces, including 22,000 troops outside Boston and 5,000 in New York. The Continental Army also raised its own troops, including riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, who served as light infantry.
The Continental Army reflected the diversity of the colonies. Soldiers came from all 13 colonies and included native-born citizens, immigrants, and free and enslaved African Americans. Several women also disguised themselves as men to fight alongside their male counterparts. Despite being ill-trained and ill-equipped at the outset, the Continental Army evolved into a formidable force. By 1780, it had become a European-style military capable of defeating the British.
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The First American Regiment was created in 1784
The US military was founded under the Constitution on 29 September 1789, when the First Congress entered its final day. However, the First American Regiment, also known as Harmar's Regiment, was created earlier on 3 June 1784. This regiment was the first peacetime regular army infantry unit authorized by the Confederation Congress after the American Revolutionary War.
The First American Regiment was created to accomplish three missions. Firstly, to take control of the garrisons west of the Ohio River from the British Army. Secondly, to control the flow of settlers and "squatters" from the east, who were claiming lands offered to them in lieu of Continental Army pay. Lastly, to attempt to control the clashes between the Indians and the settlers and land speculators. The Regiment began training at a series of forts along the Pennsylvania frontier in the fall of 1784.
The Regiment was to consist of 700 men from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Eight infantry and two artillery companies comprised the regiment. Josiah Harmar was named the commander of the regiment, with the rank of lieutenant colonel commandant. The regiment was posted to the old Northwest Territory, now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.
In its early days, the First American Regiment did not fare well. Pay was low, and Congress did not provide proper clothing, food, or equipment for the small force. The Regiment usually had more than enough weapons, often utilizing Revolutionary War firearms, such as the French .69 caliber musket of the Charleville pattern.
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The US Army was founded in 1789
In 1784, Congress resolved to create a peacetime Regular Army of 700 men, known as the First American Regiment, to protect the northwestern frontiers after acquiring new lands from Britain. However, this military force was ineffective, and a new constitutional convention was called. The US Constitution, ratified in 1788, made provisions for war and militias, but only mentioned an "Army" once in Article 2, Section 2, outlining the President's role as Commander-in-Chief.
On September 29, 1789, as the First Congress came to a close, President Washington urged lawmakers to pass an Act clarifying the Army's role under the new Constitution. Congress then passed an Act for the "Establishment of the Troops," which allowed the President to call upon state militias and required a loyalty oath to the Constitution. This Act legally created the US Army, though it was not until 1796 that the force adopted the name "US Army."
The US Army has since undergone numerous structural reforms and enlargements to become the principal land service of the United States Armed Forces, consisting of one million soldiers across the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.
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The US Army was restructured in 1792
The US military was founded under the Constitution in 1789. On the final day of the First Congress, President George Washington pushed for an Act clarifying the Army's role under the new Constitution. The Act, titled "An Act to recognize and adapt to the constitution of the United States, the establishment of the troops raised under the resolves of the United States in Congress assembled and for other purposes," established the US military.
However, the roots of the US Army go back further. The term Continental Army was used as early as June 3, 1775, and the Continental Army was officially established by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, to fight for independence during the American Revolutionary War. This army was disbanded after the war due to a distrust of standing armies, and the US relied on state militias as its sole ground army.
It soon became clear that a trained standing army was necessary due to increasing clashes with Native Americans. The US Army was restructured in 1792, forming the Legion of the United States under the command of Major General Anthony Wayne. This Legion was established at Fort Lafayette, Pennsylvania, and consisted of four sub-legions, two from the Continental Army and two from new recruits. The Legion was trained in military skills, tactics, and discipline at Legionville on the banks of the Ohio River.
In 1793, the Legion moved to a camp near Fort Washington (Cincinnati) on the western frontier. They overwhelmingly succeeded in the Northwest Indian War, concluding with a victory at Fallen Timbers in 1794. In 1796, the Legion of the United States officially adopted the name the "Army of the United States" or US Army.
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The US Army adopted its current name in 1796
The US military was founded under the Constitution on September 29, 1789, when the First Congress entered its final day and President Washington insisted that the lawmakers pass an Act clarifying the Army's role under the new Constitution. The Act was passed to "establish the troops" and allowed the President to call upon state militias in certain circumstances. It also required a loyalty oath to the Constitution by anyone in service.
The US Army, however, considers its institutional inception to be rooted in the creation of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, which was formed to fight against Great Britain for independence during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The Continental Army was created by the Second Continental Congress and George Washington was appointed as its commander.
After the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army was disbanded, and the Congress of the Confederation created the United States Army on June 3, 1784, to protect the newly acquired lands from Britain. This was followed by the 1789 Act, which legally formalized a national army.
Over time, the army underwent several structural reforms and name changes. In 1791, after General St. Clair's defeat at the Battle of the Wabash, the Regular Army was reorganized as the Legion of the United States. In 1792, the Legion was structurally reformed and enlarged, and in 1796, it was renamed the "Army of the United States" or the US Army.
The US Army, therefore, adopted its current name in 1796, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the nation's military forces.
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Frequently asked questions
The US military was founded on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress created the Continental Army.
The US Army's third birthday was on August 29, 1789, when Congress formally adopted the First American Regiment.
The standing federal Army had about 700-800 members when it was founded.
