U.S. Army

What is the US Army? 

The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.[13] As the oldest and most senior branch of the U.S. military in order of precedence,[14] the modern U.S. Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which was formed 14 June 1775 to fight the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783)—before the United States was established as a country.[15]

US Army History

The Second Continental Congress founded the Army in 1775; it is the oldest service of the United States military. Originally formed to protect the freedom of the first 13 colonies, the Army has evolved and grown from this small militia force into the world’s premier fighting force.

The Army exists to serve the American people, defend the nation, protect vital national interests and fulfill national military responsibilities. The Army recruits, organizes, trains and equips soldiers who, as vital members of their units and the joint team, conduct prompt, sustained combat and stability operations on land. The Army also is charged with providing logistics and support to enable the other services to accomplish their missions, and supporting civil authorities in times of emergency, when directed.

What is the Army Emblem?

There are two emblems that can be considered the U.S. Army logo: the one with a five-pointed star and the official Seal of the Department of the Army featuring a Roman cuirass.

Meaning and history

The story of the traditional U.S. Army emblem dates back to the times of the American Revolution (1775-1783). It appeared in the form of a “seal” to be used on official documents. Although it is hardly possible to find out when the seal was actually used for the first time, most historians believe that it happened somewhere in 1778, so it is considered the year when the US Army logo was born.

Although the U.S. Department of the Army’s emblem is derived from the Seal of the U.S. Department of the Army, it differs from the seal in several respects. The emblem is displayed in color while the seal is not, the emblem includes the inscription “Department of the Army” instead of the seal inscription “War Office”, and on the emblem, the U.S. flag is on its own right (observer’s left) to reflect the current custom for the display of flags. The flag of the United States Army pattern has been added in place of the opposing flag displayed on the seal. The Roman numerals “MDCCLXXVIII” which indicate the date the Seal was adopted, were replaced with the date “1775” to reflect the date the Continental Army was established.

The 1947 symbol

The emblem is a remarkable example of resistance to change. It stayed the same for as much as 169 years, surviving the Indian Wars, the Mexico Incursions, and the two World Wars. In 1947, the words “Department of the Army” appeared instead of “War Office”, while the date was changed to 1775.

The central element of the seal and emblem, the Roman cuirass, is a symbol of strength and defense. The sword, esponton (a type of half-pike formerly used by subordinate officers), musket, bayonet, cannon, cannonballs, mortar, and mortar bombs are representative of Army implements. The drum and drumsticks are symbols of public notification of the Army’s purpose and intent to serve the Nation and its people. The Phrygian cap (often called the “Cap of Liberty”) supported on the point of an unsheathed sword and the motto “This We’ll Defend” on a scroll held by the rattlesnake is a symbol depicted on some American colonial flags and signifies the Army’s constant readiness to defend and preserve the United States. 

The colors of the design elements are those traditionally associated with the ideals of the United States and of the U.S. Army. The flags are depicted in their approved colors. Blue is symbolic of loyalty, vigilance, perseverance, and truth. Red denotes courage, zeal, and fortitude. White alludes to deeds worthy of remembrance. Black is indicative of determination and constancy. Gold represents achievement, dignity, and honor.

Star emblem

The U.S. Army logo featuring a star was designed by advertising agency Leo Burnett Worldwide and unveiled in 2001. Interestingly enough, it is now more popular as the Army emblem than the official seal. The design of the current U.S. Army logo created in 2006—a white five-pointed star outlined in black with a yellow border and set upon a black field which itself is bordered in yellow and black stripes—can actually be traced back not to the stars of the flag, but a World War II operational directive written to decrease friendly fire. Army Regulation 850-5, published in1942, specified that a “white five-pointed star will be the national symbol of all motor vehicles assigned to tactical units.”

Appearing on scores of thousands of vehicles from half-tracks to tanks and jeeps, the symbol became inextricably linked to the U.S. Army. And in 2006, the imagery was updated (and trademarked) to create the current logo by rendering it black, white, and yellow to represent gunpowder, saltpeter, and sulfur.

What are the official colors of the US Army? 

The official Army colors are black and gold. Black symbolizes knowledge and jurisprudence while gold symbolizes achievement and honor, according to the Army Institute of Heraldry.

Of course, if you ask anyone in the Army they will immediately start calling cadence:

The Army Colors

The colors are red.

To show the world,

the blood we’ve shed.

The Army Colors

The colors are white.

To show the world,

that we can fight.

The Army Colors

The colors are blue.

To show the world,

that we are true.

The Army Colors

The colors are green.

To show the world,

that we are mean.