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Quizzes > History

US Army quiz: History, Ranks, and Tactics

Quick, free US military quiz to check your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Mrinal K PaulUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of US Army helmet dog tags star medal rifle and historical icons on dark blue background for quiz

This US Army quiz helps you check what you know about history, ranks, tactics, and key figures. Answer quick multiple-choice questions and see results right away, so you can spot gaps fast. Want to dive deeper? Try our army ranks quiz, or explore another branch with this air force quiz.

What does the acronym AWOL stand for in the US Army?
Absent With Of Leaves
Absent Without Leave
Away Without Leave
Allowed Without Leave
AWOL stands for Absent Without Leave, which refers to a service member's unauthorized absence from their post. It is a term used across all branches of the US Armed Forces to categorize unapproved leave. Personnel classified AWOL may face disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. For more details, see .
Which of the following is the highest rank for a non-commissioned officer in the US Army?
Command Sergeant Major
Master Sergeant
Sergeant Major of the Army
First Sergeant
The Sergeant Major of the Army is the senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Staff and holds the highest enlisted rank. This position was established in 1966 to represent enlisted personnel at the highest levels of the Army. All other NCO ranks, including Command Sergeant Major, serve below this unique office. For more information, see .
What color represents the Infantry branch in US Army insignia?
Scarlet
Light Blue
Yellow
Orange
Infantry branch insignia on the US Army uniform is identified by a light blue color. Branch colors date back to 1851 and help distinguish various specialties such as Cavalry (yellow) and Artillery (scarlet). The light blue piping and insignia appear on the uniform to denote infantry soldiers. More details are available at .
Which weapon is standard issue for most US Army infantry soldiers?
M16A4 Rifle
M249 SAW
M4 Carbine
M9 Pistol
The M4 Carbine is the standard-issue rifle for most US Army infantry soldiers, offering a compact, selective-fire design. It is a shorter, lighter variant of the M16A2 rifle and effective at ranges up to 500 meters. Its modularity allows soldiers to attach optics, lights, and other accessories. More information is available at .
In US Army operations, what does the acronym ROE stand for?
Rules of Engagement
Regulations on Equipment
Range of Effects
Response Operations Estimate
ROE stands for Rules of Engagement, which are directives defining the circumstances under which forces initiate or continue combat engagement. They ensure actions are consistent with international law, mission objectives, and command intent. ROEs are tailored for each mission and can restrict or expand a unit's use of force. For more, see .
How many soldiers typically make up a US Army rifle squad?
9 soldiers
6 soldiers
12 soldiers
15 soldiers
A standard US Army rifle squad consists of nine soldiers: a squad leader and two fire teams of four soldiers each. This structure provides flexibility and firepower for small-unit tactics. Squads operate as the building blocks for platoons and larger formations. Refer to for details.
What is the rank insignia for a US Army Captain?
One Silver Bar
Two Silver Bars
One Gold Bar
Three Silver Bars
A US Army Captain wears two connected silver bars as their insignia. This rank is O-3 in the officer hierarchy, above First Lieutenant (one silver bar) and below Major (gold oak leaf). Captains typically command companies or serve as staff officers. More information is available at .
Which publication outlines the US Armed Forces' Code of Conduct?
The Code of Conduct
The Geneva Convention
The Uniform Code of Military Justice
The Soldier's Creed
The Code of Conduct is a six-article directive for members of the US Armed Forces, first established in 1955 and revised in 1988. It defines how service members should act as prisoners of war and in other hostile situations. The Uniform Code of Military Justice covers legal matters, while the Soldier's Creed is an ethos statement. Read more at .
On what date was the US Army officially founded?
June 14, 1775
March 3, 1802
July 4, 1776
September 17, 1787
The US Army traces its origins to the Continental Army, created by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775. This date is now commemorated as the Army's birthday. The formal establishment preceded the Declaration of Independence. For more historical context, see .
Who authored the ancient military treatise 'The Art of War' that is studied by US Army officers?
Carl von Clausewitz
Sun Tzu
Julius Caesar
Niccolò Machiavelli
'The Art of War' is attributed to Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist from the 5th century BC. US Army officers study this work for its timeless principles on strategy, leadership, and logistics. Modern doctrine often references Sun Tzu's emphasis on deception and maneuver warfare. Additional insights are at .
Which program was the US Army's cancelled stealth helicopter project?
AH-64 Apache
CH-47 Chinook
UH-60 Black Hawk
RAH-66 Comanche
The RAH-66 Comanche was a stealth reconnaissance and attack helicopter program cancelled in 2004. Its development began in the early 1990s to replace older scout helicopters. Budget constraints and changing requirements led to its cancellation after investing billions. See .
What was the official name for the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003?
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom began on March 20, 2003, with a coalition invasion to remove Saddam Hussein's regime. It was distinct from Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Large-scale combat operations were declared over by President Bush on May 1, 2003. Read more at .
Which Field Manual covers US Army operations doctrine, including offensive and defensive tasks?
FM 1-02
FM 7-0
FM 3-0
TM 9-100
FM 3-0, titled Operations, is the cornerstone of Army doctrine for conducting unified land operations. It outlines how commanders synchronize offensive, defensive, and stability tasks. This manual integrates maneuver and wide area security concepts. The full manual can be accessed at .
What is the highest military decoration awarded by the US Army for valor in combat?
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the US military's highest decoration, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Established during the Civil War, recipients must demonstrate conspicuous gallantry at the risk of life. Only the President of the United States can bestow this honor. Visit .
Which system is used by NATO forces, including the US Army, to identify friend or foe electronically?
C4ISR
JTIDS
IFF
GPS
IFF stands for Identification Friend or Foe, an electronic system that rapidly determines whether an aircraft or vehicle is allied. It uses coded transponder signals to prevent fratricide. IFF is integrated into most NATO platforms for air and ground operations. Learn more at .
What does the acronym SERE stand for in US Army training?
Support, Evacuation, Rescue, and Extraction
Strategy, Engagement, Reconnaissance, and Extraction
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape
Security, Engineering, Reconnaissance, and Evacuation
SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape. It is rigorous training preparing soldiers to survive capture, evade enemies, resist interrogation, and escape captivity. The program is mandatory for personnel at high risk of isolation in hostile environments. Details are available at .
In the Army chain of command, who directly commands a brigade?
Corps Commander
Division Commander
Division Commander
Brigade Commander
A brigade is typically commanded by a Colonel or Brigadier General, while a division is commanded by a Major General. The division commander oversees several brigades within the division. This structure ensures clear, hierarchical control from the division down to individual brigades. More on Army organization at .
What is the third paragraph of a five-paragraph operations order (OPORD)?
Situation
Sustainment
Mission
Execution
The five-paragraph OPORD format is Situation, Mission, Execution, Sustainment, and Command and Signal. The third paragraph, Execution, details how the unit will accomplish its mission, including tasks, scheme of maneuver, and coordinating instructions. This ensures clarity and uniformity in planning and communication. For the full format, see .
Which Army regulation governs the wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia?
AR 350-1
AR 600-8-2
AR 670-1
AR 385-10
AR 670-1, titled Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, establishes uniform standards, grooming policies, and the authority to authorize new items. It is updated regularly to reflect changes in modern gear and soldier presentation. Compliance ensures uniformity and professionalism across the Army. Read the regulation at .
Which principle of war emphasizes the application of strength against an enemy's weakness by using terrain and maneuver?
Security
Economy of Force
Surprise
Maneuver
Maneuver is the principle of war that involves placing forces in positions of advantage through movement, often using terrain to exploit enemy vulnerabilities. Effective maneuver enables forces to attack where the enemy is weakest, disrupt their balance, and achieve decisive results. It works in concert with other principles like surprise and security. For more, see .
Which pair of warfighting functions constitute the Army's operational concept of Unified Land Operations?
Combined Arms Maneuver; Wide Area Security
Movement and Maneuver; Protection and Sustainment
Intelligence; Fires
Command and Control; Logistics
Unified Land Operations is based on two complementary warfighting functions: Combined Arms Maneuver and Wide Area Security. Combined Arms Maneuver focuses on defeating enemy forces decisively, while Wide Area Security ensures freedom of action and protection of the force. Together they form the core operational framework. More detail at .
What is a primary engineering function of the US Army Corps of Engineers in combat operations?
Mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability engineering
Logistics planning
Fire support coordination
Communications management
The US Army Corps of Engineers provides mobility by building bridges and roads, counter-mobility by constructing obstacles, and survivability by fortifying positions. These engineering tasks support maneuver forces and enhance battlefield protection. Their skills are critical for sustaining operations in varied terrain. See .
What frequency range does the Army's SINCGARS radio system operate in?
300 - 400 MHz
2 - 30 MHz
30 - 88 MHz
225 - 400 MHz
SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System) operates in the VHF FM band between 30 and 88 MHz. It provides frequency-hopping, anti-jamming communications for tactical units. The wide frequency range supports line-of-sight battlefield communications. Detailed technical specs are at .
On the Army staff, what function does the G7 directorate primarily perform?
Training and force development
Personnel and administration
Finance and resource management
Operations and plans
The G7 directorate is responsible for training, force development, and doctrine on the Army staff. It develops training policies and ensures that units are trained for current and future operations. G7 also oversees simulation and experimentation initiatives. More details at .
Which Army regulation establishes the Army Safety Program?
AR 600-8-2
AR 670-1
AR 385-10
AR 350-1
AR 385-10, titled The Army Safety Program, sets policy for risk management, mishap prevention, and safety reporting. It applies to all Army activities and defines responsibilities at each command level. The regulation supports mission readiness by reducing accidents. See the full text at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Army History -

    Recognize pivotal events, campaigns, and milestones that shaped the United States Army.

  2. Recall Military Tactics -

    Recall fundamental tactical concepts, terminology, and battlefield strategies used in US Army operations.

  3. Analyze Famous Operations -

    Analyze the strategies, objectives, and outcomes of legendary Army campaigns and operations.

  4. Apply Test Strategies -

    Apply effective reasoning and test-taking techniques to confidently tackle army test questions and answers.

  5. Interpret Quiz Questions -

    Interpret the structure and themes of US Army quiz questions to improve accuracy and speed.

  6. Evaluate Knowledge Mastery -

    Evaluate your strengths and identify areas for improvement in United States Army trivia and facts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Army Rank Structure and Insignia -

    Review the enlisted, warrant, and commissioned officer ranks to master army test questions and answers. Use the mnemonic "Private Bears Corporals Make First Sergeants" to recall promotion order, and study sample rank insignia from the official Army.mil gallery. Recognizing rank badges quickly boosts your score on US Army quiz questions.

  2. Major Campaigns and Operations -

    Focus on landmark actions like Operation Overlord (D-Day) and Desert Storm to excel at United States Army trivia and army history test questions. Create a timeline chart showing dates, objectives, and outcomes - for example, "1944: Normandy landings to open the Western Front." Refer to Department of Defense archives for factual accuracy.

  3. Army Values and Warrior Ethos -

    Memorize the LDRSHIP core values - Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage - to handle character-based army knowledge quiz items. A simple phrase like "Leaders Do Respect Service, Honor Integrity Properly" helps retention. Official Army doctrine publications provide real-world examples of each value in action.

  4. Fundamental Tactical Principles -

    Learn the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) and the principles of fire and maneuver for tactical questions. Sketch a diagram of the loop and practice applying it to hypothetical scenarios, such as a platoon patrol in urban terrain. Sources like the U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-21.8 offer detailed examples.

  5. Branch Specializations and Roles -

    Understand the unique missions of Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Engineers, and Aviation to tackle branch-specific army test questions and answers. Use the memory aid "I Ate All Bad Eclairs" to list branches in order of battlefield impact. Cross-reference with Army branch fact sheets for key equipment and doctrine.

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