US Armed Forces - History and Modernity

The army is not in vain considered part of the state system, because without it the system simply will not be able to act. At all times, any state had to be protected from enemies. Both internal and external.

The US Armed Forces appeared at the time when settlers settled in the States were fighting for independence with Britain. Since their opponent was serious enough, everyone was ready to take up arms to protect their interests. And the army of the late 18th century was a militia, ready to resist the external enemy, encroaching on their freedom. This created the US Armed Forces, and so it was until after the victory over Britain, George Washington did not achieve the creation of a professional army. He believed that it was the trained soldiers and officers who were able to defend their country, and the militia could only be used in exceptional cases.

However, very soon Congress declined the idea of maintaining a professional army and reduced it to about a hundred soldiers and officers who were used only to protect military facilities. This went on for a long time. In case of a threat to a small army volunteers joined, often with personal weapons, and if required, an appeal was made. As soon as the war was over, all the mobilized citizens were dismissed to their homes.

Even when the Second World War raged, most of the servicemen were not professionals. And after the end of the war, by 1946, the US armed forces were dissolved. Remained only a few divisions, some of which were located in Europe.

But a few decades later, the successive Korean War, and then the war in Vietnam, again made Congress to think about the need for a professional army. And in 1973, the Pentagon announced the recruitment of servicemen. Now the service in the army was not only honorable and well paid, but was considered the main job for approximately 1% of the country's population.

The US Armed Forces accept persons of a certain age who have US citizenship, good health and education. In order to become an officer, there are two ways - either specialized military high schools, or retraining for bachelors of civilian universities.

Nowadays, the US Armed Forces consist of several branches of troops subordinated to the Minister of Defense. The only exception is the Coast Guard, whose units in peacetime are subordinated to the Ministry of National Security. The Ministry of Defense maintains ground forces, the Air Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps.

All these types of armed forces include regular troops and reservists.

The Reserve is also considered the National Guard, which is well known by films. Especially often this unit takes part in eliminating the consequences of natural disasters or maintaining order during various unrest. Reservists are people for whom the army exists in addition to the main work, they are attracted if necessary. This service is voluntary and, most importantly, very honorable. The military's statutes determine that reservists are given regular training sessions and take part in exercises on a par with the regular army. For this service they receive a salary, as well as various compensation payments. And in the event of the introduction of martial law or mobilization, reserves are included in the composition of regular troops and, equating to soldiers, are also sent to war.