The U.S. Army: Evolution, Challenges, and Globalized World Essay

This essay examines the historical evolution of the United States Army, beginning with its formation in 1775 to address the challenges of the American Revolutionary War, and tracing its development through key periods like the War of 1812, the American-Mexican War, and the Civil War. It highlights the army's role in conflicts, the impact of the Cold War, and the reorganization after the Cold War and the establishment of NATO. The essay further discusses the professionalization of the U.S. Army, emphasizing the values of loyalty, expertise, and corporateness within its hierarchy, referencing Huntington's insights on the modern officer corps. The essay also analyzes how the U.S. Army has adapted to the globalized world and the modern challenges it faces. The essay uses APA format, cites two reputable sources, and considers social, political, and economic movements that have impacted the U.S. Army.

Running head: UNITED STATES ARMY
United States Army
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Author Note

1UNITED STATES ARMY
The United States Army is responsible to carry out military occupation and battles on
land. It primarily comprises of the Armed forces of United States which deal with the operation
on land. The history of the American army begun in 1775. The U.S. army was founded in order
to fight the British military forces invading the American land. There was the growing need to
have soldiers who were professionally trained and equipped to fight the American Revolutionary
War. The army was moderately small until 1940s. However, soon, by 1947, U.S. army could
operate and be independent of the Air Forces. It was controlled by the Department of War till
1947 and later came under the Department of Defense.
During the period of American Revolutionary War, America, as the colonized state did
not have an armed force to combat colonial revolution. The colonies which were controlled by
the British invaders had to solely rely on Militia. These forces comprised of soldiers who were
employed to serve as part-time civilian soldiers. In other words, they were non professional
soldiers who were not adequately trained. They were called in times of need to serve for the
nation with military service (Kernell et al., 2017). The revolutionary war started in 1775 for
which the congress authorized a few companies of riflemen. After the end of the war, due
to distrust within the American people, the continental army was soon demobilized. When the
war of 1812 took place, the British army was successful in setting the new capital of Washington
in fire as the troops of U.S. army failed to stop them. The efficiency of the American army was
later proved when they could retaliate and stop the British forces in 1814 during the Niagara
campaign. The major works of the U.S. military force in between 1815-1860 was mainly about
fighting the American Indian wars. They also operated and manned the artillery stations which
were located in the major ports of the state.

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During the period of American-Mexican war, between 1846-48, the American army
operated with units which comprised of regular as well as volunteer units (Crosbie & Kleykamp,
2018). Their primary objective was to defend the nation from invasions and attacks made by the
Indians. After the end of Civil war, the role of U.S. army was to fight wars with the people who
resisted expansion within the continent as the center (Kernell et al., 2017). The National Army
which was formed by the Department of War in 1917, to fight in the World War I, included a
combination of volunteer and conscript forces. During the period of World War II, a
consequential outcome of the National Army was the formation of The Army of United States
(Cress, 2017). After the end of cold war and the establishment of NATO, the Army of United
forces saw a reorganization in hierarchy and operation.
The hierarchy within the United armed forces have several formulations like valuing the
loyalty within the hierarchy of responsibilities associated with service and constitution. It is to be
believed that there lies something larger beyond the idea of individual. ‘The modern officer
corps is a professional body and the modern military officer is a professional man’, as stated by
Huntington in 1957. The military forces go through specialized vocation which emphasize on
responsibility, expertise and corporateness (Weigley, 2016). The profession has moved beyond a
profession but inspires women and men alike to add and enhance the characteristics associated
with the profession.
The profession of United States Army has undergone great shifts as we follow the
timeline of development since the time of its initiation since 1775. It has been characterized with
honor and efficiency for which they have been relied by the nation for their operations on land
related to security and military actions which were required in times of turmoil. The army of

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U.S. have been intensive and extensive about the problems, which were addressed with practical
knowledge of management of violence and military problems.

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Reference
Cress, L. D. (2017). Citizens in Arms: the Army and Militia in American Society to the War of
1812. UNC Press Books.
Crosbie, T., & Kleykamp, M. (2018). Fault lines of the American military profession. Armed
Forces & Society, 44(3), 521-543.
Kernell, S., Jacobson, G. C., Kousser, T., & Vavreck, L. (2017). The logic of American politics.
Cq Press.
Weigley, R. F. (2016). Towards an American army: Military thought from Washington to
Marshall. Pickle Partners Publishing.