Infantry Branch (United States)

167 National Guard units were re-organized and re-numbered from the previously used state system to the new federal system; the 71st New York Infantry Regiment was able to lobby to keep their old 19th century number which violated this numbering rule while serving on the Mexican border in 1916; however, the unit was broken up and most of its troops assigned to the 27th Division after re-federalization in 1917.

CARS uses the Army's traditional regiments as parent organizations for historical purposes, but the primary building blocks are divisions, and brigades composed of battalions.

At present, the majority of U.S. ground forces come from the Army’s Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 1st Brigade of the Fort Bragg, North Carolina–based 82nd Airborne Division and Marine elements from the Second (II) MEF from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. Special Forces are also operating in Afghanistan and are primarily concerned with capturing or killing Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders.

Crossed muskets were first introduced into the U.S. Army as the insignia of officers and enlisted men of the Infantry on 19 November 1875 (War Department General Order No.

Numerous attempts in the earlier years were made to keep the insignia current with the ever-changing styles of rifles being introduced into the Army.

This was the first official United States shoulder arm, made in a government arsenal, caliber .69, flint lock, smooth bore, muzzle loader.

There have been slight modifications in the size of the insignia over the years; however, the basic design has remained unchanged.

In 1917, the cape was still lined with light blue but the Infantry trouser stripes were of white as were the chevrons for enlisted men.

The United States Army Infantry School is currently at Fort Moore, Georgia.

The infantrymen themselves are essentially trained, organized, armed, and equipped the same, save for some having airborne, air assault, and/or Ranger qualification(s), the primary difference being in the organic vehicles (or lack thereof) assigned to the infantry unit, or the notional delivery method (e.g., parachute drop or heliborne) employed to place the infantryman on the battlefield.

An obvious difference is the requirement to allow for additional manpower and equipment to man, maintain, and service their respective vehicles.

Primarily foot-mobile, usually transported by motorized assets, capable of air assault operations.

Three infantry battalions form the primary maneuver component of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

The SBCT combines the tactical mobility aspect of mechanized units while emphasizing and exploiting the infantry fight where decisive action occurs.” Similarly, it asserts that “the organic vehicles in the platoons are for moving infantry to the fight swiftly.

The rifle platoon retained the ability to simultaneously employ three command launch units.

Three Combined Arms Battalions form the primary maneuver component of an Armored Brigade Combat Team.