U.S. Army
U.S. Army History & Key Dates
The United States Army is the oldest and largest branch of the U.S. military, founded before the nation itself declared independence.
1775
Continental Army established by the Second Continental Congress
Birth of the U.S. Army
1778
Baron von Steuben trains troops at Valley Forge
Created first standardized drill and discipline
1802
United States Military Academy founded at West Point
1917
U.S. Army enters World War I
First large-scale overseas deployment
1941
Army expands massively for World War II
Grew to over 8 million soldiers
1947
Army becomes part of the new Department of Defense
1973
Transition to All-Volunteer Force
End of the draft
2001
Operations in Afghanistan begin
Start of the Global War on Terrorism