The US Army Infantry: its History and Significance

The United States Army Infantry is a branch of our country's military responsible for conducting ground warfare. Infantry soldiers are often the first to engage in physical combat with the enemy and are equipped to fight on foot. They are trained to operate in various environments and conditions and perform a range of tasks, including reconnaissance, security, and direct combat. More than this, the Army Infantry soldier stands as a rugged symbol of American strength and fortitude. In the words of the Infantryman's Creed, the Infantry is the "heart of the fight…wherever, whenever; America’s faith and honor against her enemies," and "the Queen of Battle." A high honor rests upon those who become Infantry soldiers, as these soldiers in particular highlight the strength and resilience of those who wear the uniform and their commitment to the ideals of freedom, democracy, and national security. 

Tracing its roots back to the Revolutionary War, the United States Army Infantry was established as one of the original branches of the U.S. Army in 1775. Over the years, the Infantry has played a crucial role in numerous conflicts, including the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the extended campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through the decades, the Army Infantry soldier has come to symbolize duty, honor, courage, sacrifice, and service and is a powerful symbol of the strength and resolve of the U.S. military and its commitment to defending the nation and its citizens. The Infantry branch has also undergone several transformations and adaptations to keep pace with changing warfare and technology, from muskets to rifles, to the current emphasis on asymmetrical and irregular warfare. The Infantry remains an essential component of the U.S. military, responsible for ground-based offensive and defensive operations. 

In order to carry out exceptional service in such a demanding branch, Army Infantry soldiers undergo extensive training to prepare them for their role in ground combat operations. One Station Unit Training (OSUT) is designed to transform raw recruits into Infantry soldiers in a single, integrated training program. Over 14 weeks, recruits undergo rigorous and demanding physical, mental, and emotional training designed to forge them into the capable, disciplined soldiers our nation needs to defend itself. At the heart of OSUT is a commitment to realism and readiness. The training program is designed to simulate the battlefield conditions that soldiers will face. This hands-on, realistic training prepares recruits for the challenges they encounter in the field. This program covers a wide range of skills, from marksmanship and weapons handling to military tactics and operations. Recruits are pushed to their limits in physical fitness and taught how to work as a team and make critical decisions under pressure. Through it all, they are constantly reminded of their mission's importance and the values underpinning the military's commitment to protecting our nation and its citizens. More than merely physical training, OSUT is designed to build leaders with the confidence and skills needed to inspire others in the field. This leadership training sets it apart from other basic training programs.

The duties and responsibilities of a U.S. Army Infantry soldier include ground combat operations, mission support, weapon proficiency, equipment maintenance, physical fitness, tactical awareness, and leadership. An Infantry soldier's specific duties and responsibilities can vary depending on the unit, deployment, and mission. However, the primary focus of an Infantry soldier is to be prepared to engage in ground combat operations, both offensively and defensively, in support of the overall mission of the U.S. Army. 

Fort Benning: the Home of the Infantry

Fort Benning, the cornerstone of this Army Infantry training, is a sprawling military complex known for this comprehensive and rigorous schooling that has been honed and refined over decades to produce the best infantry soldiers in the world. Founded in 1918 in Georgia, Fort Benning has been at the forefront of military training and innovation for over a hundred years. From its early days as a training center for infantry and tank troops to its role today as a world-class facility for special operations and advanced training, Fort Benning has been a constant source of pride for the American military. Designed to challenge soldiers physically, mentally, and emotionally, this intense, real-world training program prepares them to face the most brutal battles and missions the military can throw at them. Soldiers learn the fundamentals of infantry tactics and operations and the critical skills they need to succeed in combat, such as marksmanship, physical fitness, and battlefield leadership. Pushed to their limits in realistic, simulated combat environments, they emerge from the program with the confidence and skills they need to be successful in the field. In addition to infantry training, Fort Benning is also home to a wide range of advanced training programs, including courses in special operations, leadership development, and military intelligence. These programs are designed to prepare soldiers for the most demanding assignments and missions, and they represent the cutting edge of military training and technology. Fort Benning plays a vital role in the defense of our nation as it produces courageous and competent soldiers who serve with the honor, courage, and duty that define the American military.

Famous Army Infantry Soldiers

It’s no surprise that the US Army Infantry is home to some of the nation’s most courageous individuals. Heroes in the truest sense of the word, these soldiers embody the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism that have defined our nation from its earliest days. One of the most inspiring aspects of the Army Infantry is the diversity of backgrounds and personalities represented among its ranks. From farm boys to city slickers, college graduates to high school dropouts, the Infantry is a melting pot of American life, united by a common purpose and a shared commitment to service.

Among the most famous of all Infantry soldiers is Sergeant Alvin C. York, a Tennessee farm boy who became a hero of World War I. On October 8, 1918, Sergeant York led a daring raid against a German machine gun nest, gathering 35 machine guns, taking out at least 25 enemy soldiers, and capturing 132 others. His bravery and quick thinking earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, and he remains one of the most celebrated infantrymen in American history. 

Another legendary infantryman is Sergeant Henry Johnson, a soldier of the 369th Infantry Regiment during World War I. Sergeant Johnson was born in rural North Carolina in the late 1890s, and he grew up in poverty and segregation. Despite these challenges, he was determined to serve his country and joined the army in 1917, just as the United States was entering World War I. He was assigned to the 369th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters, an all-African American regiment that saw combat on the front lines of the Western Front.

On the night of May 15, 1918, Sergeant Johnson and another soldier were on guard duty when they came under attack by a large enemy raiding party. Despite being badly outnumbered and outgunned, Sergeant Johnson fought with incredible bravery, using his rifle as a club and his bare hands to fend off the enemy. Despite suffering 21 wounds, he refused to give up and continued to fight, ultimately saving the life of his comrade and killing or wounding several of the enemy. For his incredible actions, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre, France's highest military honor, and he became a symbol of the courage and sacrifice of African American soldiers during World War I. Sadly, it would take nearly a century for the American government to officially recognize Johnson’s gallantry. In 2015, years after his death, Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 

Audie Murphy stands as yet another example of the courage and valor of the American Infantry soldier. Born in rural Texas in the 1920s, Murphy was a farmhand and marksman who answered the call to arms in 1942 when the United States entered World War II. Despite his small stature and youth, Murphy quickly rose through the ranks and proved himself to be one of the most fearless and skilled soldiers in the American Army. From the beaches of Sicily to the hills of Germany, Murphy distinguished himself in battle after battle, displaying incredible bravery and leadership in the face of intense enemy fire. In one remarkable episode, Murphy covered for his retreating men by climbing atop a burning tank and firing at the Germans. Though he sustained a leg wound, he refused to abandon his position until he ran out of ammunition. For his actions in this battle and many others, he was awarded a breathtaking array of medals and decorations, including the Medal of Honor. 

In closing, the U.S. Army Infantry is an essential component of the U.S. military and plays a vital role in protecting the United States and its citizens. Infantry soldiers' dedication, courage, and sacrifice embody the best of our nation's values and ideals. Their sacrifice every day protects our freedoms and ensures the safety of our communities, and they serve as a powerful symbol of the strength and resolve of the United States. Their unwavering commitment to duty and their tenacious spirit in the face of adversity testify to the true meaning of courage and bravery. The American Infantry Soldier inspires us all, and we are proud to stand with them in their service to our nation and its people. For this reason, we specifically created the CIVVIESUPPLY Army Infantry Branch T-Shirt and the Queen of Battle T-Shirt to honor past, present, and future infantrymen and to celebrate their contributions in the securing of our freedoms. 

Long live the Infantry – “our country’s strength in war and deterrent in peace.” FOLLOW ME!