If you’ve ever watched a war movie or seen news coverage of military deployments, you’ve likely heard terms like "The Big Red One" or "The Screaming Eagles." These aren't just colorful nicknames; they represent the massive, self-sustaining units known as divisions—the primary building blocks of the United States Army’s fighting force.
A division is a large military unit consisting of 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers, commanded by a major general (two-star general). It is capable of independent operations, meaning it has its own support structures for intelligence, logistics, and communications. For decades, the Army was famously anchored by 10 active-duty divisions. While that number has recently shifted with the reactivation of the 11th Airborne Division in 2022, the core "10" remain the most widely recognized symbols of American ground power.
Whether you are a military history buff, a prospective recruit, or simply curious about how the Army is organized, understanding these units gives you a clearer picture of America's defense capabilities. Here is a breakdown of the legendary US Army divisions and the answer to the question, what are the 10 Army divisions?
1. 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One)
Location: Fort Riley, Kansas
As the oldest continuously serving division in the US Army, the 1st Infantry Division holds a special place in military history. Established in 1917 during World War I, its soldiers wear a distinctive patch featuring a red numeral "1" on an olive drab background. The "Big Red One" has fought in almost every major American conflict, famously storming Omaha Beach on D-Day. Today, it remains a premier mechanized infantry force ready to deploy anywhere in the world.
But what are the 10 Army divisions? Read on.
2. 1st Cavalry Division (The First Team)
Location: Fort Hood, Texas
One of the most heavily armored divisions in the world, the 1st Cavalry Division is famous for its oversized shoulder patch and its history of horse-mounted warfare. Though they traded their horses for tanks and helicopters long ago, the "First Team" retains its cavalry traditions (including a ceremonial horse detachment). They specialize in armored warfare, using M1 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles to dominate the battlefield.
What are the 10 Army divisions in Texas? Well, there are two Army divisions in Texas not including the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard which isn’t an active-duty division.
3. 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides)
Location: Fort Bliss, Texas
Nicknamed "Old Ironsides," the 1st Armored Division is America's tank-heavy powerhouse. It was the first armored division of the US Army to see battle in World War II. Based in the sprawling deserts of Fort Bliss, this division is designed to smash through enemy lines with overwhelming firepower. Its expertise lies in tank warfare and heavy maneuver operations, making it a critical asset for large-scale ground combat.
What are the 10 Army divisions in Texas that have armor assets? The 1st Cav and 1st Armored.
4. 2nd Infantry Division (Indianhead)
Location: Camp Humphreys, South Korea / Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
The 2nd Infantry Division is unique because it is the only US Army division partially based outside the United States. Its primary mission is to deter aggression on the Korean Peninsula. Known as the "Indianhead" division due to its Native American insignia, it is prepared to "Fight Tonight" alongside South Korean allies. It maintains a constant state of high readiness given its proximity to the North Korean border.
5. 3rd Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne)
Location: Fort Stewart, Georgia
The 3rd Infantry Division earned its nickname "Rock of the Marne" during World War I, where it held its ground against a massive German offensive in France. It is one of the Army’s "heavy" divisions, equipped with massive armored capabilities. The division gained modern fame as the tip of the spear during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, racing to Baghdad in record time. It remains a rapid-response armored force.
6. 4th Infantry Division (Ivy Division)
Location: Fort Carson, Colorado
The 4th Infantry Division’s nickname is a play on the Roman numeral IV (IV... Ivy). It is widely regarded as the most technologically advanced division in the Army, frequently serving as a testbed for new digital communications and battlefield management systems. Based in the mountains of Colorado, the "Ivy Division" is a balanced force of infantry and armor, capable of complex operations across diverse terrains.
7. 10th Mountain Division (Climb to Glory)
Location: Fort Drum, New York
Specializing in fighting in difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, the 10th Mountain Division is the Army’s premier light infantry mountain unit. It was originally created during WWII to fight in the snowy peaks of Italy. Since the 1990s, it has been the most deployed division in the US Army, serving extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its soldiers are trained to mobilize quickly and operate where tanks and heavy vehicles cannot go.
8. 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning)
Location: Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
Based in the Pacific, the 25th Infantry Division focuses on jungle warfare and operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Its patch, featuring a lightning bolt and a taro leaf, reflects its Hawaiian heritage and speed of action. "Tropic Lightning" soldiers are experts in navigating dense vegetation and island terrain, serving as a rapid-reaction force for the Pacific theater.
9. 82nd Airborne Division (All American)
Location: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
The 82nd Airborne is perhaps the most famous parachute division in the world. It serves as the nation's Global Response Force, capable of deploying thousands of paratroopers anywhere on the globe within 18 hours. The "All American" nickname comes from its original WWI composition, which included members from all 48 states. If a crisis erupts overseas, the 82nd is often the first phone call the President makes.
10. 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles)
Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is renowned for its vertical envelopment tactics—using helicopters to drop large numbers of troops behind enemy lines. While they share the "Airborne" title with the 82nd, the 101st specializes in air assault (helicopters) rather than static line parachuting. The "Screaming Eagles" gained immortality for their defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge and remain a highly mobile and lethal light infantry force.
Wait, Isn’t There an 11th Division?
You might be counting and asking, "Is that everyone?" As of June 2022, the Army actually has 11 active divisions.
The 11th Airborne Division (Arctic Angels), based in Alaska, was reactivated to focus specifically on Arctic warfare and extreme cold weather operations. While many traditional lists still reference the "10 Army Divisions," the 11th Airborne is now a critical part of America's defense strategy, particularly regarding the Arctic Circle and the Indo-Pacific region.
The Foundation of Readiness
From the jungles of the Pacific to the deserts of the Middle East and the frozen tundra of the Arctic, these divisions represent the diverse capabilities of the US Army. Each has a unique identity, history, and mission, but they all share a singular goal: to deploy, fight, and win. Understanding these units helps us appreciate the complexity and readiness of the armed forces that protect national interests around the globe.
It is also important to note that while we answered the question, “What are the 10 Army divisions,” there are eight Army National Guard divisions that roll up as part of the total force that are not included in this count because we are only talking about active-duty divisions and not those of the National Guard (part-time) component. It Is important to note that the Guard divisions carry a lot of the weight for the Army when it comes to deployments, rotations, and other missions.