British troops
| British Army | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Founded | 1660 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | Elizabeth II |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 80,360 Regular 30,000 Regular Reserve 26,300 Volunteer Reserve 2,850 Brigade of Gurkhas |
| Patron | Elizabeth II |
| Website | www.army.mod.uk |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the General Staff | General Sir Nicholas Carter KCB CBE DSO |
| Army Sergeant Major | WO1 Glenn Haughton |
| Insignia | |
| War flag |
.svg) |
| Non-ceremonial flag |
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The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom. As of 2017 the British Army comprises just over 80,000 trained Regular, or full-time, personnel and just over 26,500 trained Reserve, or part-time personnel.
The origins of the modern British Army can be traced as far back as 1660, when it was known as the English Army, with the term British Army adopted in 1707 after the Acts of Union between England and Scotland. Today, although all members of the British Army are expected to swear (or affirm) allegiance to Elizabeth II as their Commander-in-Chief, the Bill of Rights of 1689 requires parliamentary consent for the Crown to maintain a standing army in peacetime. Therefore, the UK Parliament approves the continued existence of the Army by passing an Armed Forces Act at least once every five years. Day to day the Army comes under administration of the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) and is commanded by the Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom).
Throughout its history the British Army has seen action in a number of major wars involving the world's great powers, including the Seven Years' War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, the First World War and Second World War. Repeatedly emerging victorious from these decisive wars allowed Britain to influence world events with its policies and establish itself as one of the world's leading military and economic powers. Since the end of the Cold war the British Army has continued to deploy to many conflict zones, often as part of an expeditionary force, a coalition force or as part of a United Nations peacekeeping operation.
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Wikipedia