The Army rolls along: military’s oldest branch celebrates 248 years

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The Army rolls along: military’s oldest branch celebrates 248 years
By Jaime Moore-Carrillo
Jun 14, 09:34 AM
A U.S. Soldier carries the Army flag to the front of a formation during the 246th Army Birthday 5K at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, June 14, 2021. (U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Sarah Dowe)

The summer before its members signed the Declaration of Independence, the Second Continental Congress wrangled over the structure and payroll of the budding fighting force it would entrust with making the document’s pledges a reality.

Congressional delegates resolved their differences on June 14, 1775, establishing the Continental Army. A captain, they agreed, would earn $20 a month; a sergeant $8; a private a measly $6.66. Weapons and clothing were not included. The ragtag militias regrouped under this new banner would, after seven years of bloody combat, rid the colonies of their British overlords. Over the next two and a half centuries, the service they fought for would evolve into the core of the world’s mightiest war machine.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT Charlie Lee] Sgt (Join to see) PV2 Larry Sellnow SPC Gary C. SPC (Join to see) Amn Dale Preisach SGT Ruben Lozada 1SG Patrick Burke PO2 Marco Monsalve Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Kim Patterson SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SFC Ralph E Kelley PV2 Scott M. PO1 Lyndon Thomas CPL Patrick Ras