Should the Army's Birthday be celebrated?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:31:11 -0400

Is it just me or does the Army birthday come and go each year quietly? Do we really make it a big celebration? Should we make it a big celebration? Why when you ask a Marine when the Marine Corps birthday is you get a whole history lesson? Why when you ask a Soldier when the Army birthday is you get ....... Are Senior Leaders failing in stressing its importance? Thoughts?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 15 at 2015 10:39 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:39:42 -0400

I think many Army units don't really highlight the Army bd very much. It is mentioned but not celebrated in an official manner, at least in the units I knew.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 10:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:49:13 -0400

A couple things that do come to mind is on the Army's birthday, the AGRs may get a DONSA if authorized and some installations go for a fun run. Some cake is cut and some pictures are taken.

What does it mean to Joe? I do not believe that it strikes them as a day of importance. I'm not certain if it is observed during IADT. Do any down-trace units observe it?

I don't believe that it has a lot of impact. I believe it should. Perhaps we need to get back to tradition and make it relevant.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 10:53 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:53:48 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member,

I have thought a bit about this lately.

I do think it's important to have, and reinforce, our history.

Having a big celebration is one way to do that.

My only concern, however, is that "big celebrations" usually come with "big costs".

In a period where we are now looking for cost savings everywhere--attacking pay/benefits, separating thousands of individuals prematurely to drastically reduce the force to Pre-WWII troop strength, etc--I'm not so sure that we are sending the best message, at least in light of current events.

I have no idea what the total cost of a 'big celebration' in Times Square is, but, I think I'd rather have those funds reinvested back into the troops somehow.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 15 at 2015 11:33 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:33:50 -0400

I can't speak for others, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, but the significance of the day was not lost on me! I celebrated the birthday of the Army and Flag Day with my good friend, COL(ret) Charles Keith, USA! Here we are with our celebratory toast (morning coffee only)!

The Army always marches first in parades. Why? Because their "birthday" (organization) occurred before all the other branches of the service! I agree with you and Army personnel should know these things and celebrate them.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 25 at 2024 1:48 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:48:01 -0400

YES! Preach SFC. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/8782860

Why doesn't the Army have a fun birthday like the Marine Corps? | RallyPoint

The USMC makes a big deal of their birthday. Even people who aren't in the Marines know when the ball is coming up because it's something they hype up and Marines look forward to. They take pride it in. Whereas tomorrow, June 14th, is the Army Birthday (bet you didn't even realize that) and most people don't know or care because why should they? The only thing I know about Army birthday's are mandatory formations and "moral runs." Do better...

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Oct 26 at 2024 10:28 AM

MSG Thomas Currie — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 10:28:18 -0400

When is it? I'm only being slightly facetious when ask that because after 16 years of active service followed by 28 years as a DA Civilian working at the home of my branch, I don't recall a single instance of anyone mentioning the Army Birthday. Thinking back there was probably an annual message from the Chief of Staff that no one bothered reading. Thinking even farther back, recall celebrating Flag Day on June 14th even before joining the Army. No one connected the two events that both use the same date.

At the home of my branch, we paid very slightly more attention to the branch birthday, but again it's a date that no one remembered outside the guys responsible for planning the formal ball - which was really just a gathering of senior officers and a few ring knockers who expected to be among those senior officers one day.

Perhaps the reason is that military history never makes it above the line when planning the METL.