INDIANAPOLIS –
Older than the nation they defend, the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Finance Corps celebrate their 248th birthday this June.
To celebrate their birthdays, the U.S. Army Financial Management Command released a special video featuring Command Sgt. Maj. Joy L. Allen, USAFMCOM senior enlisted advisor. The video can be watched directly at www.dvidshub.net/video/886434.
“For 248 years, the US Army has served as America’s first line of defense,” said Christine E. Wormuth, Secretary of the Army. “We are proud of our Army’s history, and we are proud to be the world’s premiere land fighting force, charged to fight and win our nation’s wars.”
The Army is one of the oldest institutions in the United States. Born on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress established it, the Army is a year older than the Declaration of Independence and 13 years older than the Constitution.
With the Army established, the Continental Congress realized the need to pay Soldiers and quickly established the Army’s Finance Corps two days later with the creation of the office of the paymaster general.
James Warren, of Massachusetts, was elected to this position by Congress on July 27, 1775, and it wasn’t until January 1776 that the appointment of two assistant paymasters were authorized.
While the number of Army jobs available in those early days was limited, today, that’s no longer the case.
There are more than 200 different jobs in the Army, in fields such as financial management, engineering, logistics, intelligence, medicine, and aviation.
“Our Soldiers aren't just warriors,” said Brig. Gen. Paige M. Jennings, USAFMCOM commanding general. “Of course, we have the infantry and cavalry, but we also have financial management specialist along with doctors, lawyers, scientists, and even Army astronauts.
“You can join our Army team and find your purpose while pursuing your passions through an incredible array of interest areas, including financial management and comptrollership,” added Jennings. “We provide a competitive salary, education and housing benefits, full health care, life insurance, generous vacation time, paid parental leave and much more.”
To learn more about how to enter one of these careers, go to www.goarmy.com.