Independent Baptist Friends International

“And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them” -Psalm 37:40

The History of the U.S. Army

The Continental Congress created the United States Army on June 14, 1775, in the midst of the American Revolution. Some National Guard units trace their ties to pre-Revolutionary War colonial militia units. Since 1775 Army soldiers have fought and died in every American war.

The Role of the U.S. Army

The United States Army is the military force of the United States with the chief responsibility for land combat. The U.S. Army includes the active-duty Army, the Army National Guard, Army Reserves, and civilian employees.

The Army maintains combat-ready troops for deployment to any location in the world. Because of the Army’s ability to attack and control large geographic areas, it often becomes the decisive force in conventional (nonnuclear) conflicts.

Special Operations forces are exceptionally well-trained in weaponry, unconventional warfare, foreign languages, foreign culture and ideology, and communications and electronics. These forces are sent on high-risk missions such as attacking bases behind enemy lines, destroying enemy command posts, and long-range reconnaissance.

Following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, U.S. Army soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan to engage the al Qaeda terrorists who were behind the attacks and the Taliban government that supported them. At first, most of the American soldiers were Special Forces (Green Berets) who trained Afghans to fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda. These Special Forces soldiers, sometimes riding on horseback with Afghan men, used modern satellite communications to direct precision weapons dropped from airplanes or unmanned aerial vehicles against Taliban forces.

After the Taliban government was ousted, regular Army combat units were deployed to Afghanistan to conduct operations against remnants of the Taliban government and al Qaeda. The rugged mountainous terrain and harsh climate made combat operations difficult because the terrain provided an almost endless number of places for the Taliban and al Qaeda to hide and reduced the effectiveness of U.S. advantages in mobility, firepower, and communications.

The United States Army plays a key role in the war in Iraq. Soldiers were involved early on in identifying and destroying targets and gaining control of the Baghdad International Airport tower. Forces are now involved in weapons destruction, security operations and providing humanitarian aid.

George Washington’s Prayer for the Continental Army

This prayer, attributed to George Washington, is said to have been written by him on Christmas at Valley Forge, as reprinted in the editorial pages of the Richmond Times Dispatch on December 21, 2000.

“Almighty God, Father of All Men: To Thee we raise thankful hearts for deliverance from forces of evil…Deliver us also, we beseech Thee, from the greater danger of ourselves. Have mercy upon us and forgive us our part in the present desolation of the world. Awake us each time to a sense of our responsibility in saving the world from ruin.

“Open our eyes and minds and hearts to the desperate plight of millions. Arouse us from indifference into action. Let none of us fail to give his utmost in sympathy, understanding, thought, and effort. Fulfill in us and through us Thy glorious intention: that Thy peace, Thy love, and Thy justice may enter into the regeneration of the world.”