Introduction: Why America Needs an Army
“Landpower is the ability—by threat, force, or occupation—to gain, sustain, and exploit control over land, resources, and people (ADP 3-0).” The Army provides the United States with a campaign-quality force able to secure, seize, and occupy terrain; sustain itself; and enable our unified action partners to interact with, secure, or control populations.
ADP 1 defines the Army’s central role in delivering landpower and its responsibility to protect and defend the Nation. The Army organizes, trains, and equips forces to conduct prompt and sustained land combat, including:
- Forcible entry
- Large-scale combat operations
- Stabilization and civil support missions
- Defense support of civil authorities (DSCA)
Throughout history, the Army has remained vital to maintaining national security and promoting U.S. interests abroad. Whether responding to domestic crises or deploying globally, the Army stands ready to act decisively in defense of the Nation.
Army Responsibilities and Readiness
“The primary responsibility of our Army is to conduct prompt and sustained land combat as part of the joint force. The Army must deliver ready, trained, and equipped forces to meet the demands placed upon it.”
“Readiness is what makes our Army credible.” The Army achieves readiness through:
- Sound doctrine
- Capable organizations
- Realistic training and education
- Modernized equipment
- Inspired leadership
- Disciplined Soldiers
This readiness is developed during peacetime and tested during combat operations. It involves constant evaluation, adaptation, and modernization of personnel, procedures, and platforms.
The Army must continuously build and sustain readiness to respond to threats in any environment. This includes short-notice deployments, large-scale ground combat, or support to domestic crises. Readiness remains the foundation of deterrence.
Joint Interdependence
“Our Army is interdependent with the other elements of the joint force and serves as the foundation upon which the joint force conducts land operations.”
The Army enables:
- Operational-level command and control
- Intelligence
- Communications
- Sustainment support
“Only credible and ready land forces operating as an element of the joint force provide U.S. decision makers with strategic options to shape operational environments, prevent conflict, prevail during large-scale ground combat operations, and consolidate gains.”
The Army contributes uniquely to the joint force through persistent engagement, scalable formations, and enduring land presence.
Landpower and the Role of the Soldier
“Landpower focuses on destroying an enemy’s armed forces, occupying its territory, and breaking its will.” The Army is uniquely capable of controlling land and populations.
“The ultimate determinant in war is a man on the scene with a gun. This man is the final power in war… This is the Soldier.”
Soldiers embody Army values and demonstrate the Army’s character, competence, and commitment. They serve in complex and often ambiguous operational environments. They are the face of American resolve and the means through which policy objectives are secured.
Army as a Profession
“The Army’s essential characteristics of trust, honorable service, military expertise, stewardship, and esprit de corps enable the Army to serve America faithfully as an established military profession.”
The Army Profession is bound by a shared ethic that guides Soldiers and Civilians in their conduct, decisions, and service.
Army Ethic and Values
“The Army Ethic expresses the moral principles that guide the conduct of the Army Profession. It includes the legal and moral obligations of Soldiers and Army Civilians.”
The Army Values are the foundation of this Ethic:
- Loyalty
- Duty
- Respect
- Selfless Service
- Honor
- Integrity
- Personal Courage
These values are integrated into training, leadership, and organizational culture across all echelons.
Functional Structure: Operating vs Institutional Forces
Operating Forces
“Operating forces consist of units organized, trained, and equipped to deploy and fight. They make up about two-thirds of the Regular Army and three-fourths of the Army’s total force.”
These modular units include:
- Special Forces Groups
- Ranger Regiment
- Civil Affairs Units
- Military Information Support Units
- Special Operations Aviation
Operating forces are employed in combat, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and training missions worldwide.
Institutional Forces
“The institutional force ensures the readiness of all Army forces.”
It manages:
- Recruiting, training, and educating Soldiers
- Providing logistics and personnel support
- Mobilizing and demobilizing
- Interfacing with the industrial base and commercial sector
Institutional forces sustain Army capability, improve lethality, and ensure modernization across the force.
They also manage installations, command training centers, and operate the Army’s educational institutions.
Set and Sustain the Theater
“The Army’s ability to set and sustain the theater is essential to allowing the joint force to seize the initiative.”
Responsibilities include:
- Establishing command and control
- Intelligence and communications
- Ground-based air defense and chemical defense
- Logistics and movement coordination
Setting the theater ensures forward presence, rapid response, and enduring access for multinational and joint forces. These capabilities create the conditions for decisive operations and strategic depth.
Integrate National, Multinational, and Joint Power
“The Army has the largest number of headquarters that are joint task force headquarters capable.”
They enable:
- Planning and execution of joint operations
- Integration of allied forces and logistics
- Prepositioned stocks and regional infrastructure
This integration enhances collective defense and strengthens strategic partnerships around the world. Army forces serve alongside NATO and coalition partners in deterrence and peace enforcement missions.
Unified Land Operations
“Unified land operations is the simultaneous execution of offense, defense, stability, and defense support of civil authorities across multiple domains to shape operational environments, prevent conflict, prevail in large-scale ground combat, and consolidate gains as part of unified action.”
Unified land operations synchronize the elements of combat power and leverage joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational capabilities. Army leaders apply operational art through planning, preparation, and execution of unified land operations.
Special Operations
“Special operations require unique modes of employment, tactics, equipment, and training.”
Special Operations Forces offer:
- Precise lethal and nonlethal actions
- Special warfare and surgical strike operations
- Intelligence and reconnaissance support
They operate in politically sensitive or denied environments and support national objectives. Their contributions often shape conditions for success in conventional operations.
Strategic Roles of the Army
“The Army’s strategic roles are shape operational environments, prevent conflict, prevail during large-scale ground combat operations, and consolidate gains.”
- Shape: Support allies, forward presence, military training
- Prevent: Deter aggression and reassure allies
- Prevail: Dominate in combat operations
- Consolidate: Stabilize, transition to civil authorities
These roles define the Army’s contribution to national defense and global security.
Army Core Competencies
“A core competency is not a task; it is a capability stated in general terms.”
- Prompt and Sustained Land Combat
- Combined Arms Operations
- Armored and Mechanized Operations
- Airborne and Air Assault Operations
- Special Operations
- Set and Sustain the Theater
- Integrate Joint Power on Land
These competencies enable the Army to execute its mission under varied and dynamic conditions. They reflect the institutional strengths and operational flexibility required for 21st-century warfare.
Historical Legacy and Campaign Streamers
“On 14 June 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army.”
“For almost two and a half centuries, Soldiers have built a legacy of character, competence, and commitment symbolized by the 190 campaign streamers that adorn the Army flag.”
Campaign streamers represent battles from the Revolutionary War to current operations, reminding all Soldiers of their legacy. They signify sacrifices made and victories earned by generations of Americans in defense of freedom.
Army Civilians
“DA Civilians have assumed increased levels of responsibility and greater authority.”
“Since 2001, more than 23,000 Army Civilians have deployed to support operations, often serving in leadership roles.”
They:
- Swear an oath to the Constitution
- Live the Army Values
- Contribute through expertise, logistics, and continuity
Army Civilians serve in all Army functions, including acquisition, education, logistics, medical, and engineering fields. They are essential to maintaining the Army’s effectiveness in peace and war.
Support to Civil Authorities
“Army forces conduct operations in support of civil authorities and in support of homeland defense operations.”
Examples include:
- Disaster response
- Pandemic support
- Humanitarian assistance
Under Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), the Army partners with FEMA, law enforcement, and state governments. These operations demonstrate the Army’s commitment to the American people.
Vision for Army 2028
“The Army of 2028 will be ready to deploy, fight, and win decisively against any adversary, anytime and anywhere, in a joint, multi-domain, high-intensity conflict.”
Five Focus Areas:
- Man: Recruit and retain high-quality Soldiers
- Organize: Align formations with combat capability
- Train: Emphasize tough, realistic training
- Equip: Field modern weapons and systems
- Lead: Build innovative leaders with character
This vision prepares the Army for future warfare while preserving its heritage.
Conclusion
ADP 1 is the Army’s foundational doctrine describing its enduring purpose and structure. It reinforces the Army’s identity as a profession of arms, outlines the vital roles Soldiers and Civilians play, and ensures the force remains capable of defending the Nation. The Army’s strength lies in its people, readiness, and unwavering commitment to service.
As the Nation’s principal land combat force, the Army guarantees the security and liberty of the American people and upholds the Constitution.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.