The new television season is in full swing and, thankfully, running strong thanks to no SAG strike. Hopefully it stays that way.
On to the shows:
Entourage - somehow, this show just keeps getting better and better. Of course, that's probably because it's a show pertaining to Hollywood itself, and the writers no doubt have an infinite number of personal experiences to draw upon. This season Vincent is struggling to clear his name following last season's Medellin debacle. It's fucking great.
Fringe - this new Fox show from J.J. Abrams started out with a bang. Quite simply, its series premiere was excellent. So excellent, in fact, that Joshua Jackson's bland self didn't even have a chance of ruining it. And then the series kept going. The second episode was horrible, and the third was only marginally better. Something better happen quick, or viewers are going to abandon this exploration of fringe science.
Heroes - talk about a boring season premiere. The only part of it worth watching was the last five minutes (the Syler twist), but now even that seems old and overdone. Watch as he becomes a mere foil, rather than the arch-villain. And did anyone else notice how the premiere completely made the first season's plot ("save the cheerleader, save the world") irrelevant?
Kitchen Nightmares - Gordon Ramsay, you rock. But the American version of your beloved BBC's Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares sucks. There's no insight into the restaurant industry... it's just another family-fighting reality show.
Primeval - this one's on BBC America, probably the best cable channel in the United States. After a great first season, a wanton second series attitude of "bigger and badder" is tearing the show apart. Hopefully they get back to the subtle nature of things. And quick.
Prison Break - this is an aberration. I despise the moments prior to my actually watching it, because for some reason I feel the show is boring. But I only feel that way when I'm not watching it. When I am watching it, I absolutely love it. They're not breaking out of another prison this season, but the government conspiracy they're trying to crack is actually one that doesn't make you roll your eyes.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - decent first season, even though it suffered from a near-immediate continuity error (a metal Terminator head coming through the time warp). The second season? So far, garbage. Apt, considering the casting of the lead singer of Garbage. She almost single-handedly ruins the show. Another crap episode and this one's off the DVR to do list.
True Blood - Hollywood seems irrationally attracted to vampires as of late, but this new HBO series provides just enough of a twist to stay interesting. Still finding its feet, I'm liking where it's heading. Certainly better than that Moonlight crap we had to suffer through last season.
Other shows on my DVR list include House, Dexter, Californication, Chuck, and Life. I haven't gotten to those yet, so those will be ranted and reviewed in part II.
Bring back JLU!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Gypsy Dancer
They were, unequivocally, both crazy. He, with his temper and his absolute refusal to do what someone might call plant roots. She, with her strange, new world mentality and the attitude that she is always two steps behind. A runner, and a chaser. Logically, a match made in Heaven. But, philosophically and in practice, a match made in Hell. Still, somehow, they endured.
His attitude stemmed from his upbringing, as most attitudes do. His father was, somewhat unnaturally, a purposeful journeyman. His mother, a foreign expatriate who came to America out of boredom. Quite obviously, his world perspective was no accident.
Her upbringing was far different. She came from a large, close-knit family. Even though she, too, was raised purposefully as an outcast, she never seemed to notice. It was merely her role in the clan, and that was how she saw it. Leaving her home never even crossed her mind.
Having one never even crossed his.
And then they met.
By pure chance, his vagabond nature had brought him to her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the smile, of the kind that lights up an entire room, that would forever change his life.
He was tentative in approaching her, and reflexively relied on his training to stalk and to spy on her, wanting to learn everything he could about her before he would speak to her. She was, he found, sad in ways that few ever experience. She blamed it on the people in her life and their actions, both voluntary and involuntary. Friends, family, and lovers were both there for her and had abandoned her. At least that's how she saw things.
To him, she simply didn't realize the disease that was incubating in her heart. The disease that is the desire to wander, to travel, to experience the world that one suspects exists beyond one's own perceptions, but expects to never see.
And so, despite several warnings, personal and professional, he took her with him.
At first she was hesitant. Scared of the sky, the sea, and the places beyond the horizons she grew up staring at. But the disease strengthened, and it became chronic, a permanent fixture of her psyche. She soon loved floating on the wind, experiencing new people and places, and all of the inhibitions her family instilled in her fell by the wayside, perhaps with a hint of guilt.
It was this guilt that prompted her to question where she was going; what she was doing. There was no plan, after all. She merely traveled with her new lover, who was, fundamentally, a stranger to her. A stranger in a strange land, led by a stranger from a strange land.
Her life with him was accompanied by meetings with mysterious people, his so-called friends and family. Behind his back, she would sift through his things and would often learn obscure facts about the histories and cultures of various regions of the world. She questioned where and why he learned what he learned, and knew what he knew. His answer was always the same. He liked to read.
It was a psychological dance. Her desire to know everything about him, and his necessity to keep things a secret. Often he would feed her clues. Hints and clues of who and what he was. But this only served to infuriate her. She wanted to know the truth. Only an angel would show the world to someone without expecting anything in return. But he did not believe in angels.
Ultimately, she adopted his secretive nature in an attempt to learn more about him. She asked questions she should not have asked, to people she should not have questioned. Frustratingly, the answers she received only led to more mystery, and the dance increased in tempo and ferocity.
Growing tired and sick of the mystery, she abandoned her attachment to him. This time, having already abandoned her own roots, it was easy to her. For now she knew what was hidden beyond the horizon.
And he watched. Watched as she moved through his body and away from his secrets. At once, he was happy for her and sad for himself. She had grown past all expectation, and the world was hers for the taking. A world he had meticulously influenced to protect those he loved, especially her.
Yes, she would flourish. And he would continue to watch.
No.
He would follow.
Only now it would be he whom was two steps behind. The silhouette of his gypsy dancing on the horizon, ready for whatever else the world had to offer her.
His attitude stemmed from his upbringing, as most attitudes do. His father was, somewhat unnaturally, a purposeful journeyman. His mother, a foreign expatriate who came to America out of boredom. Quite obviously, his world perspective was no accident.
Her upbringing was far different. She came from a large, close-knit family. Even though she, too, was raised purposefully as an outcast, she never seemed to notice. It was merely her role in the clan, and that was how she saw it. Leaving her home never even crossed her mind.
Having one never even crossed his.
And then they met.
By pure chance, his vagabond nature had brought him to her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the smile, of the kind that lights up an entire room, that would forever change his life.
He was tentative in approaching her, and reflexively relied on his training to stalk and to spy on her, wanting to learn everything he could about her before he would speak to her. She was, he found, sad in ways that few ever experience. She blamed it on the people in her life and their actions, both voluntary and involuntary. Friends, family, and lovers were both there for her and had abandoned her. At least that's how she saw things.
To him, she simply didn't realize the disease that was incubating in her heart. The disease that is the desire to wander, to travel, to experience the world that one suspects exists beyond one's own perceptions, but expects to never see.
And so, despite several warnings, personal and professional, he took her with him.
At first she was hesitant. Scared of the sky, the sea, and the places beyond the horizons she grew up staring at. But the disease strengthened, and it became chronic, a permanent fixture of her psyche. She soon loved floating on the wind, experiencing new people and places, and all of the inhibitions her family instilled in her fell by the wayside, perhaps with a hint of guilt.
It was this guilt that prompted her to question where she was going; what she was doing. There was no plan, after all. She merely traveled with her new lover, who was, fundamentally, a stranger to her. A stranger in a strange land, led by a stranger from a strange land.
Her life with him was accompanied by meetings with mysterious people, his so-called friends and family. Behind his back, she would sift through his things and would often learn obscure facts about the histories and cultures of various regions of the world. She questioned where and why he learned what he learned, and knew what he knew. His answer was always the same. He liked to read.
It was a psychological dance. Her desire to know everything about him, and his necessity to keep things a secret. Often he would feed her clues. Hints and clues of who and what he was. But this only served to infuriate her. She wanted to know the truth. Only an angel would show the world to someone without expecting anything in return. But he did not believe in angels.
Ultimately, she adopted his secretive nature in an attempt to learn more about him. She asked questions she should not have asked, to people she should not have questioned. Frustratingly, the answers she received only led to more mystery, and the dance increased in tempo and ferocity.
Growing tired and sick of the mystery, she abandoned her attachment to him. This time, having already abandoned her own roots, it was easy to her. For now she knew what was hidden beyond the horizon.
And he watched. Watched as she moved through his body and away from his secrets. At once, he was happy for her and sad for himself. She had grown past all expectation, and the world was hers for the taking. A world he had meticulously influenced to protect those he loved, especially her.
Yes, she would flourish. And he would continue to watch.
No.
He would follow.
Only now it would be he whom was two steps behind. The silhouette of his gypsy dancing on the horizon, ready for whatever else the world had to offer her.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Justice League Unlimited: A Review and a Prayer
If you haven't noticed yet, there is a serious glut of comic books making their way to the big and small screens. Surprisingly, most of these attempts are excellent, many are simply good, and only a select few are crap.
Of the outstanding ones, we have the first two X-Men films, the first two Spider-Man films, the two new Batman films, Superman Returns, Iron Man, Hellboy, and a few non-superhero adaptations like Road to Perdition and 300.
In the good category, there are the two Fantastic Four entries, The Punisher, both of the Hulk films (albeit arguably), Blade, and others like A History of Violence.
The garbage includes Daredevil and Ghost Rider (both directed by Mark Steven Johnson, which should tell people something), Catwoman (which had nothing to do with the comic book character) and most of the third entries in various trilogies (X-Men, Spider-Man, Blade, etc.).
On TV we get to watch apparently excellent Smallville (I have only seen a couple of episodes), the very good non-comic-based Heroes, and a plethora of cartoons, both good and bad.
Which brings me to the glorious standard of animated superheroes: the DC animated universe (DCAU). In it, we were given the absolutely phenomenal Batman: The Animated Series, the consistent Superman: The Animated Series, a couple of still-good but more obscure cartoons (such as Static Shock), and the pinnacle of superhero cartoons: Justice League Unlimited (which began life as the two-season Justice League).
Other DC entries have been, admittedly, child-oriented crap, and it's no accident that the aforementioned DCAU series was produced by the venerable Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, who have nothing to do with DC's other cartoons.
Marvel cartoons have only come close to the quality offered by the DCAU once, with the 1990s cartoon version of the X-Men.
Unfortunately, and somewhat inexplicably, Warner Brothers and DC pulled the plug on the DCAU, and motion picture comic fans have been feeling the sting ever since.
Justice League Unlimited was, and I can't emphasize this enough, the best superhero cartoon television series of all time. In fact, if one includes the DCAU Batman and Superman series, what we witnessed was the best superhero television-in-general series of all time.
Mature storylines, rife with violence, sexual tension, and geopolitical plots, supported by a who's-who of DC comic book characters, made this the must-see comic adaptation of the past, well, ever.
The characters were developed, dimensional, and depicted both strengths and weaknesses often ignored by other series. Even Superman, the one character most easily turned cardboard, was written with an attitude that made you love him or hate him, depending on what he was in the middle of.
The show explored relationships the comic book universe rarely explored, or even thought of (a hint of a Batman-Wonder Woman love affair was fantastic, even if underdeveloped and short-lived). The black Green Lantern, John Stewart, was taken from his stereotypical roots and given a believable background worthy of a superhero. And the list goes on.
But, alas, the show is no more, having been canceled in 2006. As such, we'll never get to see the Dini-Timm version of the Legion of Superheroes, set up via a backdoor pilot in an episode in the final season of JLU. We'll never get to find out what happened to Lex Luthor and Darkseid, who disappeared together in a blaze of glory in the series' final episode. We'll never know if the JLU was able to save Longshadow from his degenerative state. And we'll never get to see if Green Lantern reveals to Hawkgirl that he met their child in the future.
And that just plain sucks.
In all honesty, Heroes is not as intriguing as JLU was. As a cartoon, JLU wasn't limited by special effects, or by large casts. As a cartoon, it could sneak in pop-culture references without the gratuitous eye-rolling that often acompanies an audience reaction to a live-action series. As a cartoon, well, it could do damn-well whatever it wanted.
DC should bring it back. Given the current muddled state that DC's actual comic book universe is in, JLU was, quite simply, the best and most consistent product they were putting out.
Don't let it fade away.
Of the outstanding ones, we have the first two X-Men films, the first two Spider-Man films, the two new Batman films, Superman Returns, Iron Man, Hellboy, and a few non-superhero adaptations like Road to Perdition and 300.
In the good category, there are the two Fantastic Four entries, The Punisher, both of the Hulk films (albeit arguably), Blade, and others like A History of Violence.
The garbage includes Daredevil and Ghost Rider (both directed by Mark Steven Johnson, which should tell people something), Catwoman (which had nothing to do with the comic book character) and most of the third entries in various trilogies (X-Men, Spider-Man, Blade, etc.).
On TV we get to watch apparently excellent Smallville (I have only seen a couple of episodes), the very good non-comic-based Heroes, and a plethora of cartoons, both good and bad.
Which brings me to the glorious standard of animated superheroes: the DC animated universe (DCAU). In it, we were given the absolutely phenomenal Batman: The Animated Series, the consistent Superman: The Animated Series, a couple of still-good but more obscure cartoons (such as Static Shock), and the pinnacle of superhero cartoons: Justice League Unlimited (which began life as the two-season Justice League).
Other DC entries have been, admittedly, child-oriented crap, and it's no accident that the aforementioned DCAU series was produced by the venerable Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, who have nothing to do with DC's other cartoons.
Marvel cartoons have only come close to the quality offered by the DCAU once, with the 1990s cartoon version of the X-Men.
Unfortunately, and somewhat inexplicably, Warner Brothers and DC pulled the plug on the DCAU, and motion picture comic fans have been feeling the sting ever since.
Justice League Unlimited was, and I can't emphasize this enough, the best superhero cartoon television series of all time. In fact, if one includes the DCAU Batman and Superman series, what we witnessed was the best superhero television-in-general series of all time.
Mature storylines, rife with violence, sexual tension, and geopolitical plots, supported by a who's-who of DC comic book characters, made this the must-see comic adaptation of the past, well, ever.
The characters were developed, dimensional, and depicted both strengths and weaknesses often ignored by other series. Even Superman, the one character most easily turned cardboard, was written with an attitude that made you love him or hate him, depending on what he was in the middle of.
The show explored relationships the comic book universe rarely explored, or even thought of (a hint of a Batman-Wonder Woman love affair was fantastic, even if underdeveloped and short-lived). The black Green Lantern, John Stewart, was taken from his stereotypical roots and given a believable background worthy of a superhero. And the list goes on.
But, alas, the show is no more, having been canceled in 2006. As such, we'll never get to see the Dini-Timm version of the Legion of Superheroes, set up via a backdoor pilot in an episode in the final season of JLU. We'll never get to find out what happened to Lex Luthor and Darkseid, who disappeared together in a blaze of glory in the series' final episode. We'll never know if the JLU was able to save Longshadow from his degenerative state. And we'll never get to see if Green Lantern reveals to Hawkgirl that he met their child in the future.
And that just plain sucks.
In all honesty, Heroes is not as intriguing as JLU was. As a cartoon, JLU wasn't limited by special effects, or by large casts. As a cartoon, it could sneak in pop-culture references without the gratuitous eye-rolling that often acompanies an audience reaction to a live-action series. As a cartoon, well, it could do damn-well whatever it wanted.
DC should bring it back. Given the current muddled state that DC's actual comic book universe is in, JLU was, quite simply, the best and most consistent product they were putting out.
Don't let it fade away.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Presidential Qualifications
Several groups of people often complain that the Constitutional requirement that a person be born a naturalized citizen of the United States is anachronistic and unnecessary. As a result, these groups advocate an Amendment to the Constitution lifting that requirement.
I tend to agree, but I'm also in favor of more requirements for the Office of the President. A lot more, in fact.
No, I'm not convoluted enough to think it'll ever happen, but here's what I'd like to see in a Presidential Qualification Amendment.
1) Lift the naturalized citizen requirement. However, add the requirements that a candidate must (at the time of their inauguration) be a US citizen for no less than 35 consecutive years, and cannot have held a foreign citizenship in the last 21 years.
2) A candidate must have a minimum of 3 years military service (active duty).
3) A candidate must have been in public office at the State or Federal level for a minimum of 4 years.
4) This one's a kicker: a candidate must have earned a PhD (preferably from a public university).
Yeah, these are a bit extreme, but why not? Since they already have to be 35 years old, they have plenty of time to obtain all of those prerequisites. Indeed, the youngest President-elect to date was JFK at 43-years old (Teddy was younger when he took over, but he wasn't elected until he was older).
Since the President holds the position of Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces, the military requirement seems natural. Also, since most Presidents historically have met the public office criteria (with the notable exceptions of Washington, Taylor, Grant, Arthur, and Eisenhower - all generals in the Army), that also seems natural.
Sure, the PhD is admittedly a stretch, but wouldn't you want a President who is clearly highly educated?
Also, get rid of term limits. There are natural term limits to the Presidency; it's called an election every four years. If the man (or woman) is doing a good enough job that enough Americans approve and want that person to stay in office forever, then why not?
Getting rid of term limits would also allow former Presidents to serve as VPs, cabinet members, and other positions in the line-of-succession for the Presidency. I admit this would be a rarity (John Q. Adams is the only President I can think of who even bothered with public office after his term as President), but why eliminate the possibility? After all, these people are supposed to be our "best and brightest" (save the jokes, please).
Again, I hold no illusions that this would ever happen, but it would be nice, no?
I tend to agree, but I'm also in favor of more requirements for the Office of the President. A lot more, in fact.
No, I'm not convoluted enough to think it'll ever happen, but here's what I'd like to see in a Presidential Qualification Amendment.
1) Lift the naturalized citizen requirement. However, add the requirements that a candidate must (at the time of their inauguration) be a US citizen for no less than 35 consecutive years, and cannot have held a foreign citizenship in the last 21 years.
2) A candidate must have a minimum of 3 years military service (active duty).
3) A candidate must have been in public office at the State or Federal level for a minimum of 4 years.
4) This one's a kicker: a candidate must have earned a PhD (preferably from a public university).
Yeah, these are a bit extreme, but why not? Since they already have to be 35 years old, they have plenty of time to obtain all of those prerequisites. Indeed, the youngest President-elect to date was JFK at 43-years old (Teddy was younger when he took over, but he wasn't elected until he was older).
Since the President holds the position of Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces, the military requirement seems natural. Also, since most Presidents historically have met the public office criteria (with the notable exceptions of Washington, Taylor, Grant, Arthur, and Eisenhower - all generals in the Army), that also seems natural.
Sure, the PhD is admittedly a stretch, but wouldn't you want a President who is clearly highly educated?
Also, get rid of term limits. There are natural term limits to the Presidency; it's called an election every four years. If the man (or woman) is doing a good enough job that enough Americans approve and want that person to stay in office forever, then why not?
Getting rid of term limits would also allow former Presidents to serve as VPs, cabinet members, and other positions in the line-of-succession for the Presidency. I admit this would be a rarity (John Q. Adams is the only President I can think of who even bothered with public office after his term as President), but why eliminate the possibility? After all, these people are supposed to be our "best and brightest" (save the jokes, please).
Again, I hold no illusions that this would ever happen, but it would be nice, no?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A Vice Presidential Ballot
The way we pick a Vice President is the dumbest way one can think of. No, really. It's stupid. And not just because it's non-existent, but because it's stupid. Yes, I realize that makes little sense.
Look at who our VP candidates are at the moment:
1) Joe Biden, the "safe" white guy chosen primarily to alleviate the "fear" of older white voters who might have otherwise been scared off by a black nominee for President.
2) Sarah Palin, the token girl chosen primarily to "steal" Hillary-loyalists and to show the Democrats that the Republicans, too, can play a "minority" card.
As you can probably infer, I don't much care for either one of them. In fact, I really dislike both of them. So much so, I'm not voting for President this election. I was already unimpressed by either Presidential candidate (though I was leaning one way or the other), but now... well, let's just say the VP choices have turned me off to politics this election season.
Makes me long for the days in which the VP was simply the runner-up in the race for President.
No, really.
Of course, in today's political climate, such a method would almost undoubtedly result in our political system shooting itself in the foot. Deadlock, gridlock, and filibustering would not only become the absolute norm, passing a law would probably become so rare, we'd start having National Holidays when one did actually pass.
So I'm offering a simple solution:
Directly elect the Office of the Vice President.
We love to believe we live in a true democracy, no? Well, this would help the People maintain that illusion. It would also require specific individuals to declare themselves as VP candidates extremely early on, and provide a better opportunity for the public to research those individuals. Not only that, it would prevent Presidential candidates from picking a VP simply for "added demographics."
In short, America would not only get the President that it wants, it would get the Vice President that it wants, as well.
Look at who our VP candidates are at the moment:
1) Joe Biden, the "safe" white guy chosen primarily to alleviate the "fear" of older white voters who might have otherwise been scared off by a black nominee for President.
2) Sarah Palin, the token girl chosen primarily to "steal" Hillary-loyalists and to show the Democrats that the Republicans, too, can play a "minority" card.
As you can probably infer, I don't much care for either one of them. In fact, I really dislike both of them. So much so, I'm not voting for President this election. I was already unimpressed by either Presidential candidate (though I was leaning one way or the other), but now... well, let's just say the VP choices have turned me off to politics this election season.
Makes me long for the days in which the VP was simply the runner-up in the race for President.
No, really.
Of course, in today's political climate, such a method would almost undoubtedly result in our political system shooting itself in the foot. Deadlock, gridlock, and filibustering would not only become the absolute norm, passing a law would probably become so rare, we'd start having National Holidays when one did actually pass.
So I'm offering a simple solution:
Directly elect the Office of the Vice President.
We love to believe we live in a true democracy, no? Well, this would help the People maintain that illusion. It would also require specific individuals to declare themselves as VP candidates extremely early on, and provide a better opportunity for the public to research those individuals. Not only that, it would prevent Presidential candidates from picking a VP simply for "added demographics."
In short, America would not only get the President that it wants, it would get the Vice President that it wants, as well.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Grammar War IV: Stupid Words
Have you ever heard or read a word that you wondered why it existed? Or heard or read words that you wonder why are still around? Or hear or read words that don't exist, yet people use them anyway?
I fucking hate those words. Hate 'em.
And here's a list:
1. amidst - a real word meaning "in or into the middle of." Which is also what "amid" means.
2. amongst - a real word that basically means what "amidst" means. Which means it's a synonym for "amid." And let's not forget "among."
3. decimate - I hate this one. As English apparently doesn't have enough words pertaining to destruction, stupid people have usurped this word to simple mean "to cause great destruction or harm to." Only, it actually has a specific meaning: "to select by lot and kill every tenth man of." "Deci," right? Meaning tenth. Hello!
4. dosage - look up "dose" and you'll get the idea.
5. incinerary - a completely made up word that signifies its user is a complete and utter moron, and can't properly pronounce "incendiary."
6. normalacy - only in dictionaries thanks to American President Warren G. Harding, who felt the need to add an unnecessary syllable to "normalcy."
7. orientate - a word existing to alleviate confusion for people who wanted to convey that, instead of turning Asian, they were getting the bearings. See "orient."
8. preventative - seemingly another President Harding word (but isn't), some jackass again decided to add another syllable. See "preventive."
9. usage - guess what? Yeah, you've figured it out.
Words You Probably Didn't Know:
cacography - bad spelling; bad handwriting
munificent - very liberal in giving or bestowing
saltire - a heraldic charge consisting of a cross formed by a bend and a bend sinister crossing in the center
I fucking hate those words. Hate 'em.
And here's a list:
1. amidst - a real word meaning "in or into the middle of." Which is also what "amid" means.
2. amongst - a real word that basically means what "amidst" means. Which means it's a synonym for "amid." And let's not forget "among."
3. decimate - I hate this one. As English apparently doesn't have enough words pertaining to destruction, stupid people have usurped this word to simple mean "to cause great destruction or harm to." Only, it actually has a specific meaning: "to select by lot and kill every tenth man of." "Deci," right? Meaning tenth. Hello!
4. dosage - look up "dose" and you'll get the idea.
5. incinerary - a completely made up word that signifies its user is a complete and utter moron, and can't properly pronounce "incendiary."
6. normalacy - only in dictionaries thanks to American President Warren G. Harding, who felt the need to add an unnecessary syllable to "normalcy."
7. orientate - a word existing to alleviate confusion for people who wanted to convey that, instead of turning Asian, they were getting the bearings. See "orient."
8. preventative - seemingly another President Harding word (but isn't), some jackass again decided to add another syllable. See "preventive."
9. usage - guess what? Yeah, you've figured it out.
Words You Probably Didn't Know:
cacography - bad spelling; bad handwriting
munificent - very liberal in giving or bestowing
saltire - a heraldic charge consisting of a cross formed by a bend and a bend sinister crossing in the center
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Why DC Should Revive Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics was a comic book published from 1935 to 1983 by DC Comics. Initially called New Comics, then New Adventure Comics, it was (and still is) the fifth longest-running title in the DC stable.
Primarily an anthology, it consisted of a revolving stable of characters, and was the source of many "firsts" in the DC universe. Superboy met the Legion of Superheroes in its pages; the first Sandman was officially introduced in issue 40; and was the first comic headlined by Supergirl.
Historically, it is an important comic, and DC should make every attempt to revive it.
DC Comics' Struggling Iconography
For those of you who remember my three-part "DC Comics Returns... or Relapses" rant from the Summer of 2006 (see the links below), you'll know that I consider DC to have 10 iconic characters. As a refresher, they are: Aquaman, Atom, Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Starman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
Of these, only half (Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, and Wonder Woman) have little or no trouble headlining their own titles. The other half have only enjoyed limited success with their own books, with Atom and Hawkman in particular seeming to have the most difficulty.
As a result, these characters are often underutilized, usually taking on a role as a supporting character in a team book (such as the Justice League of America titles), or popping up in various guest spots. As icons, I take issue with this. As icons, these characters deserve their own pages.
There are several ways to solve this, the most obvious of which is to grant these characters the A-list writer and illustrators they deserve, but as the talent pool isn't as large as comic fans would like, it is unlikely that DC would sacrifice Batman or Superman for the likes of Green Arrow or Aquaman. They could, however, simply release a ton of miniseries focused on those characters, but such miniseries tend to be treated as bastard stepchildren by publishers.
Blast from the Past
So, why not resume publication of Adventure Comics?
This would allow DC to continue one of its vaunted titles, and give these struggling icons regular pages in which to show off their solo adventures and foster their currently subdued appeal. It would be low risk for DC, as it would be a title not as restricted by continuity as most of their titles are, and it would provide another "focal point" for their oft-convoluted crossovers.
In addition, reader feedback would give the editors at DC a valuable resource in determining which of these struggling characters are "ready" for yet another attempt at their own books. Not to mention that it would likely attract those aforementioned A-list writers and artists, because it would give them an opportunity to write and draw several different characters in several different storylines at the same time. What writer or artist wouldn't want that freedom?
Come on, DC. It's high time you brought some of your best characters, and some of your own history, back into the spotlight.
Let's do it.
Primarily an anthology, it consisted of a revolving stable of characters, and was the source of many "firsts" in the DC universe. Superboy met the Legion of Superheroes in its pages; the first Sandman was officially introduced in issue 40; and was the first comic headlined by Supergirl.
Historically, it is an important comic, and DC should make every attempt to revive it.
DC Comics' Struggling Iconography
For those of you who remember my three-part "DC Comics Returns... or Relapses" rant from the Summer of 2006 (see the links below), you'll know that I consider DC to have 10 iconic characters. As a refresher, they are: Aquaman, Atom, Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Starman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
Of these, only half (Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, and Wonder Woman) have little or no trouble headlining their own titles. The other half have only enjoyed limited success with their own books, with Atom and Hawkman in particular seeming to have the most difficulty.
As a result, these characters are often underutilized, usually taking on a role as a supporting character in a team book (such as the Justice League of America titles), or popping up in various guest spots. As icons, I take issue with this. As icons, these characters deserve their own pages.
There are several ways to solve this, the most obvious of which is to grant these characters the A-list writer and illustrators they deserve, but as the talent pool isn't as large as comic fans would like, it is unlikely that DC would sacrifice Batman or Superman for the likes of Green Arrow or Aquaman. They could, however, simply release a ton of miniseries focused on those characters, but such miniseries tend to be treated as bastard stepchildren by publishers.
Blast from the Past
So, why not resume publication of Adventure Comics?
This would allow DC to continue one of its vaunted titles, and give these struggling icons regular pages in which to show off their solo adventures and foster their currently subdued appeal. It would be low risk for DC, as it would be a title not as restricted by continuity as most of their titles are, and it would provide another "focal point" for their oft-convoluted crossovers.
In addition, reader feedback would give the editors at DC a valuable resource in determining which of these struggling characters are "ready" for yet another attempt at their own books. Not to mention that it would likely attract those aforementioned A-list writers and artists, because it would give them an opportunity to write and draw several different characters in several different storylines at the same time. What writer or artist wouldn't want that freedom?
Come on, DC. It's high time you brought some of your best characters, and some of your own history, back into the spotlight.
Let's do it.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Chargers Season Opener: Damn Those Panthers
Well, the 2008 NFL Season is officially underway. And the Chargers are 0-1. Go figure, right?
Not that I'm too disappointed, mind you. Unlike last year's season opener (a game the Chargers won), the Chargers actually played very well against the Carolina Panthers. In fact, they played well enough. It just so happens that the Panthers played just a tiny bit better.
Still, I'm not as worried as I was last year.
Case in point: Philip Rivers was 17 of 27 for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Not overly fantastic, but definitely competent. And it doesn't hurt that one touchdown each went to each of his primary receivers: Chris Chambers, Antonio Gates, and Vincent Jackson. While not Air Coryell, it's certainly evidence that San Diego's vertical game is as good as its been in a long, long time.
LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 97 yards on 21 carries, which was good enough for a 4.6-yard average. Again, not overly fantastic, but still quite good.
In addition to his TD pass, Gates caught three other passes for an overall total of 61 yards, and four other Chargers (Tomlinson, Jackson, Brandon Manumaleuna, and rookie fullback Mike Tolbert) caught three passes each.
So, I guess it's safe to say the offense is running on schedule. Yes, it sucks that they lost, but at least our injury worries are gone with the wind.
But, in a rare case, the Chargers defense let us down. Only one sack. No interceptions. The only real highlight was rookie Antoine Cason's forced fumble. Oh, and Quentin Jammer's outstanding sustained play.
It was a good game; truly exciting. And it's hard to not smile a little for Jake Delhomme, who didn't know how he would play after getting jacked up last season.
Can't wait for next week. And it better put the Chargers in the win column.
Oh, and just as last year, anything short of 12-4 will be a failure in my eyes. Not that anyone cares.
Random Charger Musings
I still think Norv Turner is an overrated coach. In fact, he's going to have to have another two winning seasons before I even consider him otherwise.
Philip Rivers is getting better, but I'd still take Drew Brees any day of the week. Brees is better at reading, better at staying calm, and better at leading. I could be wrong, but time will tell.
I love Shawne Merriman (what San Diego fan doesn't?), but he's a fool not to take care of his knee.
Here's hoping the Chargers work out a stadium deal before this year is out. I'd really have a problem rooting for a Los Angeles Chargers. I'd rather root for a San Antonio Chargers, but I won't even do that.
Antoine Cason looks like this year's Antonio Cromartie. I guess this means the Chargers are loaded at cornerback.
Michael Turner, you are already missed. Nice game for the Falcons, by the way.
Not that I'm too disappointed, mind you. Unlike last year's season opener (a game the Chargers won), the Chargers actually played very well against the Carolina Panthers. In fact, they played well enough. It just so happens that the Panthers played just a tiny bit better.
Still, I'm not as worried as I was last year.
Case in point: Philip Rivers was 17 of 27 for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Not overly fantastic, but definitely competent. And it doesn't hurt that one touchdown each went to each of his primary receivers: Chris Chambers, Antonio Gates, and Vincent Jackson. While not Air Coryell, it's certainly evidence that San Diego's vertical game is as good as its been in a long, long time.
LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 97 yards on 21 carries, which was good enough for a 4.6-yard average. Again, not overly fantastic, but still quite good.
In addition to his TD pass, Gates caught three other passes for an overall total of 61 yards, and four other Chargers (Tomlinson, Jackson, Brandon Manumaleuna, and rookie fullback Mike Tolbert) caught three passes each.
So, I guess it's safe to say the offense is running on schedule. Yes, it sucks that they lost, but at least our injury worries are gone with the wind.
But, in a rare case, the Chargers defense let us down. Only one sack. No interceptions. The only real highlight was rookie Antoine Cason's forced fumble. Oh, and Quentin Jammer's outstanding sustained play.
It was a good game; truly exciting. And it's hard to not smile a little for Jake Delhomme, who didn't know how he would play after getting jacked up last season.
Can't wait for next week. And it better put the Chargers in the win column.
Oh, and just as last year, anything short of 12-4 will be a failure in my eyes. Not that anyone cares.
Random Charger Musings
I still think Norv Turner is an overrated coach. In fact, he's going to have to have another two winning seasons before I even consider him otherwise.
Philip Rivers is getting better, but I'd still take Drew Brees any day of the week. Brees is better at reading, better at staying calm, and better at leading. I could be wrong, but time will tell.
I love Shawne Merriman (what San Diego fan doesn't?), but he's a fool not to take care of his knee.
Here's hoping the Chargers work out a stadium deal before this year is out. I'd really have a problem rooting for a Los Angeles Chargers. I'd rather root for a San Antonio Chargers, but I won't even do that.
Antoine Cason looks like this year's Antonio Cromartie. I guess this means the Chargers are loaded at cornerback.
Michael Turner, you are already missed. Nice game for the Falcons, by the way.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Divisions of the United States Army
The following is an entry I wrote for Wikipedia a while back. I'll be editing it for format as the week progresses. I apologize in advance for any errors as other Wikipedia assholes liked to fuck with the article.
Divisions of the United States Army
This list of United States Army Divisions is divided into three eras: 1911-1917, 1917-1941, and 1941-present. These eras represent the major evolutions of Army division structure (there have been several minor changes during these times). The 1911-1917 era lists divisions raised during the Army's first attempts at modernizing the division, prior to the authorization of permanent divisions, and the 1917-1941 era lists the first permanent divisions, prior to advent of specialized (Armored, Airborne, etc.,) divisions. The 1941-present era lists all of the divisions organized, raised, or authorized since then.
As much as possible, divisions are only listed in the eras in which they were first created. Some divisions, such as the 1st Cavalry Division, are listed in multiple eras, as their organizations were drastically changed from one era to the next. Many divisions overlap the years listed in the era categories, mainly due to the slow pace in which they were deactivated, inactivated, or otherwise disbanded.
It should also be noted that several divisions have existed under multiple designations, such as the 10th Mountain Division (10th Light Division (Alpine), 10th Infantry Division). Additionally, several divisions with the same numerical designations were completely separate and unrelated divisions (there have been two 5th Divisions, for instance).
History
Divisions in the United States Army have existed since the American Revolution when, on July 22, 1775-present, George Washington organized three divisions in Boston, Massachusetts. Early American divisions, up until the American Civil War, were primarily temporary organizations, with the basis of the United States Army being brigades and regiments.
During the Civil War, the war in formed the first large true armies in United States history, divisions were formed primarily to support Army Corps, and were usually numbered as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Division of the pertaining corps.
The concept of the permanent United States Army division was formulated and put to the test following the turn of the 20th Century. In 1916, the permanent division would finally be authorized by Congress, resulting in a dramatic change in the Army's force structure. For the first time, the division was the base element of the United States Army and remained as such until the Global War on Terrorism, when the Army switched its emphasis to Brigade and Regimental Combat Teams.
Since the authorizations of permanent divisions, the United States Army has raised 128 separate divisions with unique lineages.
Designations
Prior to 1941, only cavalry divisions were specifically designated; infantry divisions were simply designated by "Division." Following the advent of the armored division, infantry divisions became officially designated by "Infantry Division" (with the 25th Infantry Division being the first constituted by the adjutant general as such). All of the 1917-1941 (non-cavalry) divisions, with the exceptions of the 10th through 20th and 101st Divisions, would be redesignated as Infantry Divisions at some point in the 1941-present era.
Other than the aforementioned Armored, Cavalry, and Infantry, the only official Army division designations are Air Assault (one test division), Airborne, Light (three test divisions in World War II), Motorized (briefly authorized from 1942 to 1943), and Mountain.
Divisions listed with an additional identifier in parentheses ("alpine" or "test," for example) existed only with that identifier. Divisions that have held multiple additional identifiers, such as the 1st Cavalry ("airmobile," "heavy") and the 9th Infantry ("light," "motorized"), are left unidentified, regardless of their current additional identifier.
An unspecified division today refers to a United States Army Reserve Training Division.
- (*) denotes divisions that reorganized under a different division designation while still active
- Bold denotes current United States Army divisions
DIVISIONS - 1911 to 1917
· Maneuver Division (1911)
· 1st Division (1913-1916)
· 2nd Division (1913-1915)
· 3rd Division (1913-1916)
· Cavalry Division - authorized as the 4th Regular Army division in 1913; never officially numerically designated.
· 5th Division (1914-1917)*
· 6th Division (1914-1917)*
· 7th Division (1914-1917)*
· 8th Division (1914-1917)*
· 9th Division (1914-1917)*
· 10th Division (1914-1917)*
· 11th Division (1914-1917)*
· 12th Division (1914-1917)*
· 13th Division (1914-1917)*
· 14th Division (1914-1917)*
· 15th Division (1914-1917)*
· 16th Division (1914-1917)*
· 17th Division (1917)*
· 18th Division (1917)*
· 19th Division (1917)*
· 20th Division (1917)*
· Punitive Expedition - provisional division (1916-1917)
DIVISIONS - 1917 to 1941
Cavalry Divisions
· 1st Cavalry Division (1921-present)
· 2nd Cavalry Division - unorganized [1]
· 3rd Cavalry Division - unorganized [2]
· 15th Cavalry Division (1917-1918)
· 21st Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 22nd Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 23rd Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 24th Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 61st Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 62rd Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 63rd Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 64th Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 65th Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 66th Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
[3] [4]
Infantry Divisions
· 1st Division (1917-present) - later 1st Infantry Division
· 2nd Division (1917-present) - later 2nd Infantry Division
· 3rd Division (1917-present) - later 3rd Infantry Division
· 4th Division (1917-1921)
· 5th Division (1917-1921)
· 6th Division (1917-1921)
· 7th Division (1917-1921)
· 8th Division (1918-1919)
· 9th Division (1918-1919)
· 10th Division (1918-1919)
· 11th Division (1918-1919)
· 12th Division (1918-1919)
· 13th Division (1918-1919)
· 14th Division (1918-1919)
· 15th Division (1918-1919)
· 16th Division (1918-1919)
· 17th Division (1918-1919)
· 18th Division (1918-1919)
· 19th Division (1918-1919)
· 20th Division (1918-1919)
· 26th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 5th Division
· 27th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 6th Division
· 28th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 7th Division
· 29th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 8th Division
· 30th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 9th Division
· 31st Division (1917-1919) (1923-1940)* - formerly 10th Division
· 32nd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 11th Division
· 33rd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 12th Division
· 34th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 13th Division
· 35th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 14th Division
· 36th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 15th Division
· 37th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 16th Division
· 38th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 17th Division
· 39th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1923) - formerly 18th Division
· 40th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 19th Division
· 41st Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 20th Division
· 42nd Division (1917-1919)
· 43rd Division (1921-1941)*
· 44th Division (1921-1940)*
· 45th Division (1921-1940)*
· 76th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 77th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 78th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 79th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 80th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 81st Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 82nd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 83rd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 84th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 85th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 86th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 87th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 88th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 89th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 90th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 91st Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 92nd Division (1917-1919)
· 93rd Division (1917-1918) - provisional division
· 94th Division (1921-1942)*
· 95th Division (1918-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 96th Division (1918-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 97th Division (1918) (1921-1943)*
· 98th Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 99th Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 100th Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 101st Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 102nd Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 103rd Division (1921-1942)*
· 104th Division (1921-1942)*
· Hawaiian Division (1921-1941)* (see 24th Infantry Division; also 25th Infantry Division)
· Panama Canal Division (1921-1932)
· Philippine Division (1921-1942) (see 12th Infantry Division)
[5] [6] [7] [8]
DIVISIONS - 1941 to present
Air Assault Divisions
· 11th Air Assault Division (Test) (1963-1965) - formerly 11th Airborne Division
Airborne Divisions
· 6th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 9th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 11th Airborne Division (1943-1957)
· 13th Airborne Division (1943-1946)
· 15th Airborne Division - unorganized World War II division
· 17th Airborne Division (1943-1945) (1948-1949)
· 18th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 21st Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 80th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 82nd Airborne Division (1942-present)
· 84th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 100th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 101st Airborne Division (1942-1945) (1948-1949) (1950-1953) (1954-present)
· 108th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 135th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
Armored Divisions
· 1st Armored Division (1940-1946) (1951-1957) (1962-present) [9]
· 2nd Armored Division (1940-1995)
· 3rd Armored Division (1941-1945) (1947-1992)
· 4th Armored Division (1941-1946) (1954-1971) [10]
· 5th Armored Division (1941-1945) (1950-1956)
· 6th Armored Division (1942-1945) (1950-1956)
· 7th Armored Division (1942-1945) (1950-1953)
· 8th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 9th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 10th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 11th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 12th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 13th Armored Division (1942-1945) (1947-1952)
· 14th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 15th Armored Division - phantom World War II division
· 16th Armored Division (1943-1945)
· 18th Armored Division - unorganized World War II division
· 19th Armored Division (1946-1947)
· 20th Armored Division (1943-1946)
· 21st Armored Division (1946-1952)
· 22nd Armored Division (1946-1952)
· 25th Armored Division - phantom World War II division
· 27th Armored Division (1954-1967) - formerly 27th Infantry Division
· 30th Armored Division (1954-1973) [11]
· 39th Armored Division - phantom World War II division
· 40th Armored Division (1954-1967) - formerly 40th Infantry Division
· 48th Armored Division (1954-1968) - formerly 48th Infantry Division
· 49th Armored Division (1946-1967) (1973-2004)
· 50th Armored Division (1946-1993)
Cavalry Divisions
· 1st Cavalry Division (1921-present)
· 2nd Cavalry Division (1941-1942) (1943-1944)
Infantry Divisions
· 1st Infantry Division (1917-present)
· 2nd Infantry Division (1917-present)
· 3rd Infantry Division (1917-present)
· 4th Infantry Division (1940-1942)* (1943-1946) (1947-present)
· 5th Infantry Division (1939-1950) (1951-1953) (1954-1957) (1962-1992)
· 6th Infantry Division (1939-1942)* (1943-1949) (1950-1956) (1967-1968) (1984-1998) [12]
· 7th Infantry Division (1940-1942)* (1943-1971) (1974-1994) (1999-2006)
· 8th Infantry Division (1940-1942)* (1943-1945) (1950-1992)
· 9th Infantry Division (1940-1962) (1966-1969) (1972-1991) [13]
· 10th Infantry Division (1947-1957)
· 12th Infantry Division (1946-1947) - formerly Philippine Division
· 14th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 15th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 16th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 17th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 19th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 21st Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 22nd Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 23rd Infantry Division (1954-1956) (1967-1971) - formerly Americal Division
· 24th Infantry Division (1941-1996) (1999-2006) - formerly Hawaiian Division
· 25th Infantry Division (1941-present)
· 26th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-1993)
· 27th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1954)*
· 28th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-present)
· 29th Infantry Division (1941-1946) (1946-1967) (1985-present)
· 30th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1973)
· 31st Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 32nd Infantry Division (1940-1946) (1946-1967)
· 33rd Infantry Division (1940-1946) (1946-1967)
· 34th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-1963) (1991-present)
· 35th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1963) (1984-present)
· 36th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967) (2004-present)
· 37th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 38th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-present)
· 39th Infantry Division (1946-1967)
· 40th Infantry Division (1941-1946) (1946-1954)* (1973-present)
· 41st Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 42nd Infantry Division (1943-present)
· 43rd Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-1963)
· 44th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1954)
· 45th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 46th Infantry Division (1946-1967)
· 47th Infantry Division (1946-1991)
· 48th Infantry Division (1946-1954)*
· 49th Infantry Division (1947-1967)
· 50th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 51st Infantry Division (1946-1963)
· 52nd Infantry Division (1946-1947)
· 55th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 59th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 61st Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 62rd Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 63rd Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1952-1965)
· 65th Infantry Division (1943-1945)
· 66th Infantry Division (1943-1945)
· 67th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 68th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 69th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1954-1956)
· 70th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1952-1955)*
· 71st Infantry Division (1944-1946) (1954-1956)
· 72nd Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 73rd Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 74th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 75th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1952-1957)
· 76th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 77th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 78th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1955)*
· 79th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1963)
· 80th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1952-1955)
· 81st Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 82nd Infantry Division (1942)*
· 83rd Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 84th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1952-1955)*
· 85th Infantry Division (1942-1955)*
· 86th Infantry Division (1942-1946)
· 87th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1957)
· 88th Infantry Division (1942-1947)
· 89th Infantry Division (1942-1943)* (1944-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 90th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1965)
· 91st Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 92nd Infantry Division (1942-1945)
· 93rd Infantry Division (1942-1946) [14]
· 94th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1963)
· 95th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 96th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1963)
· 97th Infantry Division (1943-1946)
· 98th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1955)*
· 99th Infantry Division (1942-1945)
· 100th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1952-1955)*
· 102nd Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 103rd Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1963)
· 104th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1959)*
· 105th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 106th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1946-1950) [15]
· 107th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 108th Infantry Division (1952-1955)*
· 109th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 112th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 119th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 125th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 130th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 141st Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 157th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· Americal Division (1942-1945) (see 23rd Infantry Division)
[16]
Light Divisions
· 10th Light Division (Alpine) (1943-1944)*
· 71st Light Division (Truck) (1943-1944)*
· 89th Light Division (Pack) (1943-1944)*
Motorized Divisions
· 4th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 5th Motorized Division - phantom World War II division
· 6th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 7th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 8th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 90th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
Mountain Divisions
· 10th Mountain Division (1944-1945) (1984-present)
Reserve Training Divisions
In an attempt to maintain its divisions, the Army Reserve transformed several of its combat divisions into training divisions; these divisions were still designated as infantry divisions until authorized as "divisions (training)" by the adjutant general in 1959.
· 70th Division (1955-1996)
· 75th Division (1993-2008)
· 76th Division (1955-1996)
· 78th Division (1955-2008)
· 80th Division (1955-2008)
· 84th Division (1955-2004)
· 85th Division (1955-2008)
· 87th Division (1993-2008)
· 89th Division (1955-1975)
· 91st Division (1955-2008)
· 95th Division (1955-present)
· 98th Division (1955-2008)
· 100th Division (1955-present)
· 104th Division (1959-present)
· 108th Division (1955-2008)
· First Army Division East (2006-present)
· First Army Division West (2006-present)
Notes
[1] a 2nd Cavalry Division was constituted in 1921, but would remain unorganized until World War II
[2] the 3rd Cavalry Division was placed on rolls in 1927 to complete an intended Cavalry Corps, but was never organized
[3] in 1940 the National Guard voluntarily withdrew their allotment of the 21st through 24th Cavalry Divisions, partially in response to the Army's decision that the National Guard did not need four Cavalry Divisions and the Army's unwillingness to allot the National Guard armored divisions
[4] the 61st through 66th Cavalry Divisions existed primarily as officer billets with enlisted cadre; they were dropped from the activation rolls and disbanded in 1942
[5] various elements of the 4th through 9th Divisions remained on active duty until those divisions' full activation prior to World War II.
[6] the 76th through 91st and 94th through 104th Divisions existed primarily as officer billets with enlisted cadre; they were not completely reactivated until America's entry into World War II
[7] a 94th Division was intended as a Spanish-speaking division for World War I, but the assignment was withheld due to political wrangling
[8] the infantry brigades, field artillery brigades, and several other of the subordinate units of the Panama Canal, Hawaiian, and Philippine Divisions were numbered accordingly with what should have been the 10th, 11th, and 12th Divisions
[9] the 1st Armored Division's Combat Command A remained on active duty between 1957 and 1962
[10] the 4th Armored Division was effectively organized as the Constabulary from 1946 to 1954
[11] the 30th Armored Division was organized as the result of an agreement between Tennessee and North Carolina to split the 30th Infantry Division
[12] the 6th Infantry Division itself was deactivated in 1994, but the 1st Brigade, 6th Infantry Division remained in the active force under that designation until being reflagged as the 172nd Infantry Brigade in 1998
[13] the 9th Infantry Division experienced a brief period of inactivation in 1947
[14] although the 93rd Infantry Division shares the same number designation and patch as the previous 93rd Division, the two divisions are otherwise unrelated and do not share lineal ties
[15] the 106th Infantry Division was never officially added to the troop list following World War II, despite having been almost completely organized in Puerto Rico by 1948; subsequently, the War Department determined the division was not needed and deactivated the division headquarters in 1950
[16] the 105th and 107th Infantry Divisions were intended to be negro divisions of the Army of the United States; however, due to a shortage of available manpower, their activations were canceled in 1942
References
· Bellanger, Yves J. (2002). US Army Infantry Divisions, 1943-1945, Volume 1: Organisation, Doctrine and Equipment. Solihull: Helion.
· Holt, Thaddeus (2004). The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War. New York: Simon & Schuster.
· Muschett, James O. (ed.) (2001). The Army. Westport: Hugh Lauter Levin.
· Stanton, Shelby L. (2006). World War II Order of Battle: An Encyclopedic Reference to U.S. Army Ground Forces from Battalion through Division, 1939-1946 (Revised Edition). Mechanicsburg: Stackpole.
· Stewart, Richard W. (ed.) (2005). American Military History, Volume II: The United States Army in a Global Era, 1917-2003. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
· Tolson, John J. (1989). Airmobility 1961-1971. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
· Wilson, John B. (1987). Armies, Corps, Divisions, and Separate Brigades. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
· Wilson, John B. (1997). Maneuver and Firepower: The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
Divisions of the United States Army
This list of United States Army Divisions is divided into three eras: 1911-1917, 1917-1941, and 1941-present. These eras represent the major evolutions of Army division structure (there have been several minor changes during these times). The 1911-1917 era lists divisions raised during the Army's first attempts at modernizing the division, prior to the authorization of permanent divisions, and the 1917-1941 era lists the first permanent divisions, prior to advent of specialized (Armored, Airborne, etc.,) divisions. The 1941-present era lists all of the divisions organized, raised, or authorized since then.
As much as possible, divisions are only listed in the eras in which they were first created. Some divisions, such as the 1st Cavalry Division, are listed in multiple eras, as their organizations were drastically changed from one era to the next. Many divisions overlap the years listed in the era categories, mainly due to the slow pace in which they were deactivated, inactivated, or otherwise disbanded.
It should also be noted that several divisions have existed under multiple designations, such as the 10th Mountain Division (10th Light Division (Alpine), 10th Infantry Division). Additionally, several divisions with the same numerical designations were completely separate and unrelated divisions (there have been two 5th Divisions, for instance).
History
Divisions in the United States Army have existed since the American Revolution when, on July 22, 1775-present, George Washington organized three divisions in Boston, Massachusetts. Early American divisions, up until the American Civil War, were primarily temporary organizations, with the basis of the United States Army being brigades and regiments.
During the Civil War, the war in formed the first large true armies in United States history, divisions were formed primarily to support Army Corps, and were usually numbered as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Division of the pertaining corps.
The concept of the permanent United States Army division was formulated and put to the test following the turn of the 20th Century. In 1916, the permanent division would finally be authorized by Congress, resulting in a dramatic change in the Army's force structure. For the first time, the division was the base element of the United States Army and remained as such until the Global War on Terrorism, when the Army switched its emphasis to Brigade and Regimental Combat Teams.
Since the authorizations of permanent divisions, the United States Army has raised 128 separate divisions with unique lineages.
Designations
Prior to 1941, only cavalry divisions were specifically designated; infantry divisions were simply designated by "Division." Following the advent of the armored division, infantry divisions became officially designated by "Infantry Division" (with the 25th Infantry Division being the first constituted by the adjutant general as such). All of the 1917-1941 (non-cavalry) divisions, with the exceptions of the 10th through 20th and 101st Divisions, would be redesignated as Infantry Divisions at some point in the 1941-present era.
Other than the aforementioned Armored, Cavalry, and Infantry, the only official Army division designations are Air Assault (one test division), Airborne, Light (three test divisions in World War II), Motorized (briefly authorized from 1942 to 1943), and Mountain.
Divisions listed with an additional identifier in parentheses ("alpine" or "test," for example) existed only with that identifier. Divisions that have held multiple additional identifiers, such as the 1st Cavalry ("airmobile," "heavy") and the 9th Infantry ("light," "motorized"), are left unidentified, regardless of their current additional identifier.
An unspecified division today refers to a United States Army Reserve Training Division.
- (*) denotes divisions that reorganized under a different division designation while still active
- Bold denotes current United States Army divisions
DIVISIONS - 1911 to 1917
· Maneuver Division (1911)
· 1st Division (1913-1916)
· 2nd Division (1913-1915)
· 3rd Division (1913-1916)
· Cavalry Division - authorized as the 4th Regular Army division in 1913; never officially numerically designated.
· 5th Division (1914-1917)*
· 6th Division (1914-1917)*
· 7th Division (1914-1917)*
· 8th Division (1914-1917)*
· 9th Division (1914-1917)*
· 10th Division (1914-1917)*
· 11th Division (1914-1917)*
· 12th Division (1914-1917)*
· 13th Division (1914-1917)*
· 14th Division (1914-1917)*
· 15th Division (1914-1917)*
· 16th Division (1914-1917)*
· 17th Division (1917)*
· 18th Division (1917)*
· 19th Division (1917)*
· 20th Division (1917)*
· Punitive Expedition - provisional division (1916-1917)
DIVISIONS - 1917 to 1941
Cavalry Divisions
· 1st Cavalry Division (1921-present)
· 2nd Cavalry Division - unorganized [1]
· 3rd Cavalry Division - unorganized [2]
· 15th Cavalry Division (1917-1918)
· 21st Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 22nd Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 23rd Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 24th Cavalry Division (1921-1940)
· 61st Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 62rd Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 63rd Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 64th Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 65th Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
· 66th Cavalry Division (1921-1942)
[3] [4]
Infantry Divisions
· 1st Division (1917-present) - later 1st Infantry Division
· 2nd Division (1917-present) - later 2nd Infantry Division
· 3rd Division (1917-present) - later 3rd Infantry Division
· 4th Division (1917-1921)
· 5th Division (1917-1921)
· 6th Division (1917-1921)
· 7th Division (1917-1921)
· 8th Division (1918-1919)
· 9th Division (1918-1919)
· 10th Division (1918-1919)
· 11th Division (1918-1919)
· 12th Division (1918-1919)
· 13th Division (1918-1919)
· 14th Division (1918-1919)
· 15th Division (1918-1919)
· 16th Division (1918-1919)
· 17th Division (1918-1919)
· 18th Division (1918-1919)
· 19th Division (1918-1919)
· 20th Division (1918-1919)
· 26th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 5th Division
· 27th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 6th Division
· 28th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 7th Division
· 29th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 8th Division
· 30th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 9th Division
· 31st Division (1917-1919) (1923-1940)* - formerly 10th Division
· 32nd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 11th Division
· 33rd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 12th Division
· 34th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 13th Division
· 35th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 14th Division
· 36th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 15th Division
· 37th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 16th Division
· 38th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 17th Division
· 39th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1923) - formerly 18th Division
· 40th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1941)* - formerly 19th Division
· 41st Division (1917-1919) (1921-1940)* - formerly 20th Division
· 42nd Division (1917-1919)
· 43rd Division (1921-1941)*
· 44th Division (1921-1940)*
· 45th Division (1921-1940)*
· 76th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 77th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 78th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 79th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 80th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 81st Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 82nd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 83rd Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 84th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 85th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 86th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 87th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 88th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 89th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 90th Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 91st Division (1917-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 92nd Division (1917-1919)
· 93rd Division (1917-1918) - provisional division
· 94th Division (1921-1942)*
· 95th Division (1918-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 96th Division (1918-1919) (1921-1942)*
· 97th Division (1918) (1921-1943)*
· 98th Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 99th Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 100th Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 101st Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 102nd Division (1918) (1921-1942)*
· 103rd Division (1921-1942)*
· 104th Division (1921-1942)*
· Hawaiian Division (1921-1941)* (see 24th Infantry Division; also 25th Infantry Division)
· Panama Canal Division (1921-1932)
· Philippine Division (1921-1942) (see 12th Infantry Division)
[5] [6] [7] [8]
DIVISIONS - 1941 to present
Air Assault Divisions
· 11th Air Assault Division (Test) (1963-1965) - formerly 11th Airborne Division
Airborne Divisions
· 6th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 9th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 11th Airborne Division (1943-1957)
· 13th Airborne Division (1943-1946)
· 15th Airborne Division - unorganized World War II division
· 17th Airborne Division (1943-1945) (1948-1949)
· 18th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 21st Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
· 80th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 82nd Airborne Division (1942-present)
· 84th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 100th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 101st Airborne Division (1942-1945) (1948-1949) (1950-1953) (1954-present)
· 108th Airborne Division (1946-1952)*
· 135th Airborne Division - phantom World War II division
Armored Divisions
· 1st Armored Division (1940-1946) (1951-1957) (1962-present) [9]
· 2nd Armored Division (1940-1995)
· 3rd Armored Division (1941-1945) (1947-1992)
· 4th Armored Division (1941-1946) (1954-1971) [10]
· 5th Armored Division (1941-1945) (1950-1956)
· 6th Armored Division (1942-1945) (1950-1956)
· 7th Armored Division (1942-1945) (1950-1953)
· 8th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 9th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 10th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 11th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 12th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 13th Armored Division (1942-1945) (1947-1952)
· 14th Armored Division (1942-1945)
· 15th Armored Division - phantom World War II division
· 16th Armored Division (1943-1945)
· 18th Armored Division - unorganized World War II division
· 19th Armored Division (1946-1947)
· 20th Armored Division (1943-1946)
· 21st Armored Division (1946-1952)
· 22nd Armored Division (1946-1952)
· 25th Armored Division - phantom World War II division
· 27th Armored Division (1954-1967) - formerly 27th Infantry Division
· 30th Armored Division (1954-1973) [11]
· 39th Armored Division - phantom World War II division
· 40th Armored Division (1954-1967) - formerly 40th Infantry Division
· 48th Armored Division (1954-1968) - formerly 48th Infantry Division
· 49th Armored Division (1946-1967) (1973-2004)
· 50th Armored Division (1946-1993)
Cavalry Divisions
· 1st Cavalry Division (1921-present)
· 2nd Cavalry Division (1941-1942) (1943-1944)
Infantry Divisions
· 1st Infantry Division (1917-present)
· 2nd Infantry Division (1917-present)
· 3rd Infantry Division (1917-present)
· 4th Infantry Division (1940-1942)* (1943-1946) (1947-present)
· 5th Infantry Division (1939-1950) (1951-1953) (1954-1957) (1962-1992)
· 6th Infantry Division (1939-1942)* (1943-1949) (1950-1956) (1967-1968) (1984-1998) [12]
· 7th Infantry Division (1940-1942)* (1943-1971) (1974-1994) (1999-2006)
· 8th Infantry Division (1940-1942)* (1943-1945) (1950-1992)
· 9th Infantry Division (1940-1962) (1966-1969) (1972-1991) [13]
· 10th Infantry Division (1947-1957)
· 12th Infantry Division (1946-1947) - formerly Philippine Division
· 14th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 15th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 16th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 17th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 19th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 21st Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 22nd Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 23rd Infantry Division (1954-1956) (1967-1971) - formerly Americal Division
· 24th Infantry Division (1941-1996) (1999-2006) - formerly Hawaiian Division
· 25th Infantry Division (1941-present)
· 26th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-1993)
· 27th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1954)*
· 28th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-present)
· 29th Infantry Division (1941-1946) (1946-1967) (1985-present)
· 30th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1973)
· 31st Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 32nd Infantry Division (1940-1946) (1946-1967)
· 33rd Infantry Division (1940-1946) (1946-1967)
· 34th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-1963) (1991-present)
· 35th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1963) (1984-present)
· 36th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967) (2004-present)
· 37th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 38th Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-present)
· 39th Infantry Division (1946-1967)
· 40th Infantry Division (1941-1946) (1946-1954)* (1973-present)
· 41st Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 42nd Infantry Division (1943-present)
· 43rd Infantry Division (1941-1945) (1946-1963)
· 44th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1954)
· 45th Infantry Division (1940-1945) (1946-1967)
· 46th Infantry Division (1946-1967)
· 47th Infantry Division (1946-1991)
· 48th Infantry Division (1946-1954)*
· 49th Infantry Division (1947-1967)
· 50th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 51st Infantry Division (1946-1963)
· 52nd Infantry Division (1946-1947)
· 55th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 59th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 61st Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 62rd Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 63rd Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1952-1965)
· 65th Infantry Division (1943-1945)
· 66th Infantry Division (1943-1945)
· 67th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 68th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 69th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1954-1956)
· 70th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1952-1955)*
· 71st Infantry Division (1944-1946) (1954-1956)
· 72nd Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 73rd Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 74th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 75th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1952-1957)
· 76th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 77th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 78th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1955)*
· 79th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1963)
· 80th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1952-1955)
· 81st Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 82nd Infantry Division (1942)*
· 83rd Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 84th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1952-1955)*
· 85th Infantry Division (1942-1955)*
· 86th Infantry Division (1942-1946)
· 87th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1957)
· 88th Infantry Division (1942-1947)
· 89th Infantry Division (1942-1943)* (1944-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 90th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1965)
· 91st Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 92nd Infantry Division (1942-1945)
· 93rd Infantry Division (1942-1946) [14]
· 94th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1963)
· 95th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1955)*
· 96th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1963)
· 97th Infantry Division (1943-1946)
· 98th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1955)*
· 99th Infantry Division (1942-1945)
· 100th Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1952-1955)*
· 102nd Infantry Division (1942-1946) (1946-1965)
· 103rd Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1963)
· 104th Infantry Division (1942-1945) (1946-1959)*
· 105th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 106th Infantry Division (1943-1945) (1946-1950) [15]
· 107th Infantry Division - unorganized World War II division
· 108th Infantry Division (1952-1955)*
· 109th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 112th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 119th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 125th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 130th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 141st Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· 157th Infantry Division - phantom World War II division
· Americal Division (1942-1945) (see 23rd Infantry Division)
[16]
Light Divisions
· 10th Light Division (Alpine) (1943-1944)*
· 71st Light Division (Truck) (1943-1944)*
· 89th Light Division (Pack) (1943-1944)*
Motorized Divisions
· 4th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 5th Motorized Division - phantom World War II division
· 6th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 7th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 8th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
· 90th Motorized Division (1942-1943)*
Mountain Divisions
· 10th Mountain Division (1944-1945) (1984-present)
Reserve Training Divisions
In an attempt to maintain its divisions, the Army Reserve transformed several of its combat divisions into training divisions; these divisions were still designated as infantry divisions until authorized as "divisions (training)" by the adjutant general in 1959.
· 70th Division (1955-1996)
· 75th Division (1993-2008)
· 76th Division (1955-1996)
· 78th Division (1955-2008)
· 80th Division (1955-2008)
· 84th Division (1955-2004)
· 85th Division (1955-2008)
· 87th Division (1993-2008)
· 89th Division (1955-1975)
· 91st Division (1955-2008)
· 95th Division (1955-present)
· 98th Division (1955-2008)
· 100th Division (1955-present)
· 104th Division (1959-present)
· 108th Division (1955-2008)
· First Army Division East (2006-present)
· First Army Division West (2006-present)
Notes
[1] a 2nd Cavalry Division was constituted in 1921, but would remain unorganized until World War II
[2] the 3rd Cavalry Division was placed on rolls in 1927 to complete an intended Cavalry Corps, but was never organized
[3] in 1940 the National Guard voluntarily withdrew their allotment of the 21st through 24th Cavalry Divisions, partially in response to the Army's decision that the National Guard did not need four Cavalry Divisions and the Army's unwillingness to allot the National Guard armored divisions
[4] the 61st through 66th Cavalry Divisions existed primarily as officer billets with enlisted cadre; they were dropped from the activation rolls and disbanded in 1942
[5] various elements of the 4th through 9th Divisions remained on active duty until those divisions' full activation prior to World War II.
[6] the 76th through 91st and 94th through 104th Divisions existed primarily as officer billets with enlisted cadre; they were not completely reactivated until America's entry into World War II
[7] a 94th Division was intended as a Spanish-speaking division for World War I, but the assignment was withheld due to political wrangling
[8] the infantry brigades, field artillery brigades, and several other of the subordinate units of the Panama Canal, Hawaiian, and Philippine Divisions were numbered accordingly with what should have been the 10th, 11th, and 12th Divisions
[9] the 1st Armored Division's Combat Command A remained on active duty between 1957 and 1962
[10] the 4th Armored Division was effectively organized as the Constabulary from 1946 to 1954
[11] the 30th Armored Division was organized as the result of an agreement between Tennessee and North Carolina to split the 30th Infantry Division
[12] the 6th Infantry Division itself was deactivated in 1994, but the 1st Brigade, 6th Infantry Division remained in the active force under that designation until being reflagged as the 172nd Infantry Brigade in 1998
[13] the 9th Infantry Division experienced a brief period of inactivation in 1947
[14] although the 93rd Infantry Division shares the same number designation and patch as the previous 93rd Division, the two divisions are otherwise unrelated and do not share lineal ties
[15] the 106th Infantry Division was never officially added to the troop list following World War II, despite having been almost completely organized in Puerto Rico by 1948; subsequently, the War Department determined the division was not needed and deactivated the division headquarters in 1950
[16] the 105th and 107th Infantry Divisions were intended to be negro divisions of the Army of the United States; however, due to a shortage of available manpower, their activations were canceled in 1942
References
· Bellanger, Yves J. (2002). US Army Infantry Divisions, 1943-1945, Volume 1: Organisation, Doctrine and Equipment. Solihull: Helion.
· Holt, Thaddeus (2004). The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War. New York: Simon & Schuster.
· Muschett, James O. (ed.) (2001). The Army. Westport: Hugh Lauter Levin.
· Stanton, Shelby L. (2006). World War II Order of Battle: An Encyclopedic Reference to U.S. Army Ground Forces from Battalion through Division, 1939-1946 (Revised Edition). Mechanicsburg: Stackpole.
· Stewart, Richard W. (ed.) (2005). American Military History, Volume II: The United States Army in a Global Era, 1917-2003. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
· Tolson, John J. (1989). Airmobility 1961-1971. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
· Wilson, John B. (1987). Armies, Corps, Divisions, and Separate Brigades. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
· Wilson, John B. (1997). Maneuver and Firepower: The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
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