Structure of the United States Army
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The structure of the United States Army is complex, and can be interpreted in several different ways: active/reserve, operational/administrative, and branches/functional areas.
From time to time the
This page aims to portray the current overall structure of the US Army.
History
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 governors of their states and as a reserve of the U.S. Army under the authority of the President. Since the adoption of the
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.
During World War I, the "National Army" was organized to fight the conflict.[1] It was demobilized at the end of World War I.
After World War I, former units were 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.[2]
In 1941, the "Army of the United States" was founded to fight World War II. The Regular Army, Army of the United States, the National Guard, and Officer/Enlisted Reserve Corps (ORC and ERC) existed simultaneously.[citation needed]
Post World War II
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.[2][dead link]
Active and reserve components
The United States Army is made up of three components: one active—the
Administrative
Headquarters Department of the Army (HQ DA) Staff
The U.S. Army is led by a civilian Secretary of the Army, who reports to the secretary of defense, and serves as civilian oversight for the Chief of Staff of the United States Army (CSA). The CSA is assisted by the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. The CSA is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a body composed of the service chiefs from each service who advise the President of the United States and secretary of defense on military matters under the guidance of the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Field Operating Agencies
- Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
- Army Equity and Inclusion Agency
- Army Review Boards Agency
- United States Army Manpower Analysis Agency
- Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army
- United States Army Headquarters Support Agency
- Army Auditor General
- Chief Information Officer
- Enterprise Cloud Management Agency
- United States Army Enterprise Services Agency
- Chief of Public Affairs
- Army Public Affairs Center
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (G-1)
- Civilian Training Student Education Detachment
- Army Enterprise Marketing Office
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Training (G-3/5/7)
- United States Army Aeronautical Services Agency
- United States Army Command and Control Support Agency (a staff support agency)
- United States Army Force Management Support Agency
- United States Army Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (G-4)
- United States Army Logistics Enterprise Support Agency
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs(G-8)
- Center for Army Analysis
- Director of the Army Staff
- United States Army Combat Readiness Center
- United States Army Provost Marshal General
- Defense Forensics and Biometrics Agency
- The Inspector General of the Army
- United States Army Inspector General Agency
- The Judge Advocate General of the Army
- The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School
- United States Army Legal Services Agency
Office of the Inspector General
The Inspector General of the Army (IG) maintains open channels of communication for extraordinary issues which might lie outside the purview of the chain of command; it lists points of contact for the 3 Army Commands (ACOMs), the 11 Army Service Component Commands (ASCCs), and 12 Direct Reporting Units (DRUs).[4] IG teams might then be assigned to a case, if need be, to perform inspections, assessments, and investigations.[5]
- Inspector General's Corps
Army Commands, and Army Service Component Commands
Army Commands (ACOMs) and Army Service Component Commands (ASCCs) serve different purposes. The ACOMs are: Forces Command, Futures Command, Materiel Command, and Training and Doctrine Command.
Some of the Army Service Component Commands (ASCCs) are components of the six geographical
- United States Army Central headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina[6]
- United States Army North headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, Texas
- United States Army South headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, Texas
- United States Army Europe headquartered at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany
- United States Army Pacific headquartered at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
Army Cyber Command is a component of
In addition, the Army's Special Operations Command administers its Joint Operations units; Space and Missile Defense Command provides global satellite-related infrastructure, and missile defense for the combatant commands, and for the nation. Surface Deployment and Distribution Command provides transport.
Headquarters, United States Department of the Army (HQDA):
Source: U.S. Army organization[22]
Operational unit structure
Most U.S. Army units can be operationally divided into the following components from largest to smallest:
- USAREUR. Armies have also effectively operated as military districts formerly in the continental United States. Fifth Army and First Army performed this function up until recently. Usually commanded by a general or lieutenant general.
- Corps: Formerly consisted of a corps headquarters and two or more divisions, corps troops (consisting of corps artillery, an armored cavalry regiment, an air defense artillery group, and an army aviation group), an expeditionary sustainment command (ESC) and other organic support brigades. A corps is now designated as an "operational unit of employment", that may command a flexible number of modular units. Usually commanded by a lieutenant general. 20,000–45,000 soldiers.
- command sergeant major. Typically consists of 17,000–21,000 soldiers but can grow up to 35,000–40,000 with attached support units.
- command sergeant majorand a support battalion. Stryker brigade combat teams have a somewhat larger structure. 3,000–5,000 soldiers.
- Regiment: The Army, for the most part is no longer organized by regiments. Rather, battalions and squadrons maintain regimental affiliations in that they are called (for example), 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry (Regiment is implied) and is written 1–8 Inf. In this case, there is no regimental commander, and the battalion is organized as part of a brigade for combat. The exceptions are those units, such as armored cavalry regiments which remain organized, and fight, as a regiment and have a regimental commander. The written designation is easy to distinguish and commonly misused. A "forward slash" ("/") separates levels of command. 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is written 1/3 ACR whereas the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery (again, Regiment is implied) is written 1–6 FA.
- command sergeant major and a staff in a headquarters and headquarters company/battery/troop. 300–1,000 soldiers.
- Company (or artillery battery/cavalry troop): Designated A to C (plus HQ or support companies/batteries/troops) when in a 3 company/battery battalion or A to D when organized in a 4 company/battery battalion. Regimental troops are designated A to T, depending on the number of troops. The troops are then divided into their like squadrons. Each company/battery/troop is composed of a company/battery/troop headquarters and three platoons, and led by a company/battery/troop commander, usually a first lieutenant, captain or sometimes a major supported by a first sergeant. 62–190 soldiers.
- Platoon: Composed of a platoon headquarters and three squads, led by a platoon leader, usually a second lieutenant supported by a platoon sergeant (sergeant first class). 42 soldiers.
- Section: Usually directed by a sergeant supported by one or two corporals who supplies guidance for junior NCO squad leaders. Often used in conjunction with platoons at the company level. 12–24 soldiers.
- Squad: Composed of two teams and is typically led by a staff sergeant or sergeant. 9 soldiers.
- sniper team consists of a sniperwho engages the enemy and a spotter who assists in targeting, team defense, and security. 4 soldiers.
Major Operational Units
Armies
- First United States Army, US Army Forces Command
- Third United States Army, US Army Central
- Fifth United States Army, US Army North
- Sixth United States Army, US Army South
- Seventh United States Army, US Army Europe
- Eighth United States Army, US Army Korea
- Ninth United States Army, US Army Africa
Corps
- Washington
- III Corps headquartered at Fort Cavazos, Texas
- Fort Liberty, North Carolina
Divisions
Regular Army Divisions
- 1st Armored Division
- 1st Cavalry Division
- 1st Infantry Division
- 2nd Infantry Division
- 3rd Infantry Division
- 4th Infantry Division
- 7th Infantry Division(Headquarters Only)
- 10th Mountain Division
- 11th Airborne Division
- 25th Infantry Division
- 82nd Airborne Division
- 101st Airborne Division
Army National Guard Divisions
- 28th Infantry Division
- 29th Infantry Division
- 34th Infantry Division
- 35th Infantry Division
- 36th Infantry Division
- 38th Infantry Division
- 40th Infantry Division
- 42nd Infantry Division
- 45th Infantry Division
Separate brigades/regiments
- Vilseck, Germany
- Fort Hood, Texas
- Fort Irwin, California (Not in total below due to its non-deployable role as permanent OPFOR at NTC)
- Fort Benning, Georgia
- Vicenza, Italy
- Fort McNair, Virginia
US Army Combat Brigades after the current round of deactivations / re-organizations: 31
- 10 Armored Brigade Combat Teams
- 7 Stryker Brigade Combat Teams
- 7 Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (light)
- 4 Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (airborne)
- 3 Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (air assault)
For 2020, the Army plans to convert one SBCT to an ABCT, and one IBCT to a SBCT, which would bring the totals to 11 ABCTs, 7 SBCTs, and 13 IBCTs.[24]
Smaller units
Combat formations of the US Army at below brigade level include the
Branches and functional areas
Personnel in the Army work in various branches, which is their area of training or expertise. Traditionally, the branches were divided into three groups combat arms, combat support, and combat service support. Currently, the Army classifies its branches as maneuver, fires, and effects; operations support; and force sustainment.
Basic branches - contain groupings of military occupational specialties (MOS) in various functional categories, groups, and areas of the army in which officers are commissioned or appointed (in the case of warrant officers) and indicate an officer's broad specialty area. (For example, Infantry, Signal Corps, and Adjutant General's Corps.) Generally, officers are assigned to sequential positions of increasing responsibility and authority within one of the three functional categories of the army branches (Maneuver, Fires and Effects; Operations Support; Force Sustainment) to develop their leadership and managerial skills to prepare them for higher levels of command. The branches themselves are administrative vice operational command structures that are primarily involved with training, doctrine, and manpower concerns. Each branch has a Branch Chief who is the Head of the Branch and usually serves as the respective branch school commandant or director.
Special branches - contain those groupings of military occupational specialties (MOS) of the army in which officers are commissioned or appointed after completing advanced training and education and/or receiving professional certification in one of the classic professions (i.e., theology, law, or medicine), or other associated health care areas (e.g., dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, registered nurse, physician's assistant). Officers of most special branches are restricted to command of units and activities of their respective department/branch only, regardless of rank or seniority. This means, for example, that Army Medical Department (AMEDD) branch officers may only command AMEDD units and activities. Likewise, Chaplains are essentially "officers without command" and are ineligible to command operational units and activities. They do, however, supervise junior ranking chaplains and enlisted chaplain's assistants. As an exception to this general rule, JAG Corps officers are eligible to command and may be assigned (with permission from the Judge Advocate General) to non-legal command positions, although ordinarily, like other Special branch officers, a JAG officer will only lead JAG Corps units and activities during their career.[25]
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Each branch of the army has a different
Operations Division (OD) Branches and Functional Areas
Maneuver
- Infantry, 14 June 1775
Ten companies of riflemen were authorized by a resolution of the Continental Congress on 14 June 1775. However, the oldest Regular Army
- Armor, 12 December 1776[26]
The Armor Branch traces its origin to the
A regiment of cavalry was authorized to be raised by the Continental Congress Resolve of 12 December 1776. Although mounted units were raised at various times after the Revolution, the first in continuous service was the
- Aviation, 12 April 1983
Following the establishment of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service in 1947, the army began to develop further its own aviation assets (light planes and rotary wing aircraft) in support of ground operations. The Korean War gave this drive impetus, and the war in Vietnam saw its fruition, as army aviation units performed a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, transport, and fire support. After the war in Vietnam, the role of armed helicopters as tank destroyers received new emphasis. In recognition of the growing importance of aviation in army doctrine and operations, aviation became a separate branch on 12 April 1983.
- Cyber Corps, 1 September 2014 (previously Signal Corps Information Systems Management)
Fires
- Field Artillery, 17 November 1775
The Continental Congress unanimously elected Henry Knox "Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery" on 17 November 1775. The regiment formally entered service on 1 January 1776.
- Air Defense Artillery, 20 June 1968
The Air Defense Artillery branch descended from the Anti-Aircraft Artillery (part of the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps) into a separate branch on 20 June 1968.
Maneuver Support
- Corps of Engineers, 16 June 1775
Continental Congress authority for a "
- Chemical Corps, 28 June 1918
The Chemical Warfare Service was established on 28 June 1918, combining activities that until then had been dispersed among five separate agencies of government. It was made a permanent branch of the Regular Army by the National Defense Act of 1920. In 1945, it was re-designated the Chemical Corps.
- Military Police Corps, 26 September 1941
A
Special Operations Forces
- Special Forces, 9 April 1987
The first special forces unit in the Army was formed on 11 June 1952, when the 10th Special Forces Group was activated at
- Psychological Operations, 16 October 2006
Established as a basic branch effective 16 October 2006 per General Order 30, 12 January 2007.
- Civil Affairs Corps, 16 October 2006
The Civil Affairs/Military Government Branch in the Army Reserve Branch was established as a special branch on 17 August 1955. It was subsequently redesignated the Civil Affairs Branch on 2 October 1955, and it has continued its mission to provide guidance to commanders in a broad spectrum of activities ranging from host–guest relationships to the assumption of executive, legislative, and judicial processes in occupied or liberated areas. Became a basic branch effective 16 October 2006 per General Order 29, on 12 January 2007.
Effects
- Public Affairs
- Information Operations
Operations Support Division (OSD) Branches and Functional Areas
Network and Space Operations
- Signal Corps, 21 June 1860
The Signal Corps was authorized as a separate branch of the army by act of Congress on 3 March 1863. However, the Signal Corps dates its existence from 21 June 1860, when Congress authorized the appointment of one signal officer in the army, and a War Department order carried the following assignment: "Signal Department – Assistant Surgeon Albert J. Myer to be Signal Officer, with the rank of Major, 27 June 1860, to fill an original vacancy."
- Information Systems Management
- Telecommunication Systems Engineer
- Space Operations
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) & Area Expertise
- Military Intelligence Corps, 1 July 1962
Intelligence has been an essential element of army operations during war as well as during periods of peace. In the past, requirements were met by personnel from the Army Intelligence and Army Security Reserve branches, two-year obligated tour officers, one-tour levies on the various branches, and Regular Army officers in the specialization programs. To meet the army's increased requirement for national and tactical intelligence, an Intelligence and Security Branch was established effective 1 July 1962, by General Order No. 38, on 3 July 1962. On 1 July 1967, the branch was re-designated as Military Intelligence.
- Strategic Intelligence
- Foreign Area Officer (FAO)
Plans Development
- Strategist
- Nuclear and Counterproliferation
Forces Development
- Force Management
- Operations Research/Systems Analysis (ORSA)
- Simulation Operations
Education and Training
- Permanent Academy Professor
Force Sustainment Division (FSD) Branches and Functional Areas
Integrated Logistics Corps
- Quartermaster Corps, 16 June 1775
The Quartermaster Corps, originally designated the Quartermaster Department, was established on 16 June 1775. While numerous additions, deletions, and changes of function have occurred, its basic supply and service support functions have continued in existence.
- Ordnance Corps, 14 May 1812
The Ordnance Department was established by act of Congress on 14 May 1812. During the Revolutionary War, ordnance material was under supervision of the
- Transportation Corps, 31 July 1942
The history of the Transportation Corps starts with World War I. Prior to that time, transportation operations were chiefly the responsibility of the Quartermaster General. The Transportation Corps, essentially in its present form, was organized on 31 July 1942. The Transportation Corps is headquartered at
- Logistics Corps, 1 January 2008
Established by General Order 6, 27 November 2007. Consists of multifunctional logistics officers in the rank of captain and above, drawn from the Ordnance, Quartermaster and Transportation Corps.
Soldier Support
- Human Resources - Adjutant General's Corps, 16 June 1775
The post of
- Financial Management - Finance Corps, 16 June 1775
The Finance Corps is the successor to the old Pay Department, which was created in June 1775. The Finance Department was created by law on 1 July 1920. It became the Finance Corps in 1950.
Acquisition Corps
- Acquisition Corps[a]
Special Branches
- Army Medical Department (AMEDD), 27 July 1775
The Army Medical Department and the
- Medical Corps, 27 July 1775
- Army Nurse Corps, 2 February 1901
- Dental Corps, 3 March 1911
- Veterinary Corps, 3 June 1916
- Medical Service Corps, 30 June 1917
- Army Medical Specialist Corps, 16 April 1947
- Chaplain Corps, 29 July 1775
The legal origin of the Chaplain Corps is found in a resolution of the Continental Congress, adopted 29 July 1775, which made provision for the pay of chaplains. The Office of the Chief of Chaplains was created by the National Defense Act of 1920.
- Judge Advocate General's Corps, 29 July 1775
The Office of Judge Advocate General of the Army is deemed to have been created on 29 July 1775, the date of appointment of Colonel William Tudor as the first U.S. Army Judge Advocate General.
See also
Notes
- ^ Acquisition Corps works with U.S. ARMY ACQUISITION SUPPORT CENTER (USAASC), FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA
References
- ^ "World War I". Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
- ^ a b Army Reserve Marks First 100 Years : Land Forces : Defense News Air Force Archived 24 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Perpich v. Department of Defense, 496 U.S. 334 (1990)
- ^ Major Commands
- ^ Mission: missing remainder of citation
- ^ "U.S. Army Central - www.usarcent.army.mil". www.arcent.army.mil. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "SETAF Takes on a new mission" (Press release). United States Army. 10 December 2008.
- ^ "SETAF assumes new mission as Army AFRICOM component" (Press release). United States Army. 13 January 2009.
- ^ "U.S. Army Africa official mission statement". 2 November 2009. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ Curthoys, Kathleen (3 April 2017). "Second Army cases colors, inactivates at Fort Belvoir". Army Times. Tysons, VA: Sightline Media Group.
- ^ "Leaders | U.S. Army Europe Leaders". Army.mil. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ U.S. Army (1 October 2010). "Army establishes Army Cyber Command". army.mil. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ DAGO 2017-03, DESIGNATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY CIVILIAN HUMAN RESOURCES AGENCY AND ITS SUBORDINATE ELEMENTS AS DIRECT REPORTING UNIT, apd.army.mil, dated 4 January 2017, last accessed 13 January 2017
- ^ Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon, Biography article, undated. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ DAGO 2017-04, DESIGNATION OF UNITED STATES ARMY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMAND AND ITS SUBORDINATE ELEMENTS AS DIRECT REPORTING UNIT, apd.army.mil, dated 4 January 2017, last accessed 13 January 2017
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Organization, United States Army
- ^ "Army announces activation of additional corps headquarters". US Army. Washington DC. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ Army Times: The Army is converting two BCTs as it beefs up its fighting force for the next big war
- ^ "Army Publishing Directorate".
- ^ a b c "Army Birthdays". United States Army Center of Military History. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ISBN 978-1-910309-96-4.
- ^ "Department of the Army Pamphlet 600-3 (DA PAM 600-3), Commissioned Officer Professional Development and Career Management" (PDF). 1 February 2010. p. 54 (as printed on the source page). Retrieved 29 November 2018 – via http://dopma-ropma.rand.org.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|via=
- ^ "Transportation School at Fort Lee prepares for first students | Article | The United States Army". Army.mil. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ "History". goarmy.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.