National Army (USA)

National Army (USA)

The National Army was the combined conscript and volunteer force that was formed by the United States War Department in 1917 to fight in World War I. The National Army was formed from the old core of the regular United States Army, augmented by units of the United States National Guard and a large draft of able-bodied men.

At its greatest size, the National Army had more than two million men. Promotions within the National Army were quick, with most United States Army officers receiving double and triple promotions within a space of only two years. Dwight Eisenhower entered the National Army as a Captain and was a Lieutenant Colonel one year later. Douglas MacArthur was also advanced quickly in the National Army, rising from Major to Brigadier General in two years.

The National Army was disbanded in 1920 and all personnel who had held ranks in the National Army were reverted to Regular Army status. George S. Patton, who had been a Colonel in the National Army, returned to the Regular Army as a Captain. Some, such as Douglas MacArthur, maintained their wartime rank in the Regular Army. For those keeping their wartime ranks the reality was, however, that they would usually remain at that specific rank for years. This often resulted in talented officers leaving service in the interwar years.

During World War II, the Army of the United States was formed as a successor to the National Army. The Army of the United States operated on the same principles as its predecessor, combining Regular Army, National Guard, and conscript forces into one fighting unit. The Army of the United States also incorporated Reserve forces, something that the National Army had not done, since in World War I the military reserves were a very new concept. Colloquially, the term "National Army" has continued to be used to refer to both war-time Armies, and the Conscript forces during the Post World War II Draft.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • National Army — The term national army has many meanings around the world, and is used typically, but not necessarily, to mean the lawful army of the state as distinct from rebel armies or private armies that may operate there. National Army may also refer to:… …   Wikipedia

  • Vietnamese National Army — (VNA) Quân đội Quốc gia Việt Nam Flag of the Vietnamese National Army Active 1949–1955 …   Wikipedia

  • Afghan National Army — Emblem der afghanischen nationalen Armee. Die Afghanische Nationale Armee (kurz ANA) ist die derzeitig noch im Aufbau befindliche Armee des Staates Afghanistan. Sie wurde am 3. April 2002 gegründet[1]. Bis zum Januar 2006 wurden 27.000 Soldaten… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Afghan National Army — Emblem of the Afghan National Army. Active 1880 (current form: 2002) Country …   Wikipedia

  • National Liberation Army (Albanians of Macedonia) — National Liberation Army (of Albanians) (Ushtria Çlirimtare e Kombëtare) Participant in Insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia Active 2000 2002 officially …   Wikipedia

  • USA Today — For the education monthly, see USA Today (magazine). For the song by Alan Jackson, see USA Today (song). USA Today The paper s January 24, 2011 front page T …   Wikipedia

  • USA Weekend — An Issue of USA WEEKEND. The top blank bar features a reproduction of the carrying newspaper s masthead. USA Weekend is a national publication distributed through more than 800+ newspapers in the United States. It reaches 47 million [1] readers… …   Wikipedia

  • Army National Guard — noun a civilian reserve component of the United States Army comprised of guardsmen who serve during overseas peacekeeping missions and during local emergencies • Syn: ↑ARNG • Topics: ↑military, ↑armed forces, ↑armed services, ↑military machine,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Army Intelligence — noun an agency of the United States Army responsible for providing timely and relevant and accurate and synchronized intelligence to tactical and operational and strategic level commanders • Syn: ↑AI • Topics: ↑military, ↑armed forces, ↑armed… …   Useful english dictionary

  • United States Army — Department of the Army United States Army Department of the Army Emblem Act …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”