The U.S. Army Reserve joined thousands of Soldiers in Washington, D.C., to mark the Army’s 250th birthday with a series of historic events including a fitness challenge, an Army Festival with various military equipment on display, a Grand Military Parade, featuring a reenlistment ceremony, culminating with fireworks in the heart of the nation’s capital.

The celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday began earlier that week with the Twilight Tattoo hosted by the Army Reserve at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall on June 11, 2025.

The evening featured ceremonial displays that began with a precision parachute jump by the U.S. Army Golden Knights, followed by performances from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the United States Army Band, and the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.  

As festivities continued, Soldiers, Army Civilians, families, and other supporters, stationed locally at the National Capital Region, laced up early morning at Joint Base Myer- Henderson Hall to run through Arlington National Cemetery on June 13, 2025.

Notable participants included the Secretary of the Army, Daniel P. Driscoll and Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Randy A. George, who joined the run and shared messages of pride and resilience. The run served as an esprit de corps kickoff to the festivities, honoring the physical resilience and a solemn reminder of the enduring legacy of the U.S. Army.

As the 250th birthday celebration continued, Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll laid a wreath as part of an Army Full Honors Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Va., June 14, 2025. Driscoll was joined by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer.

On the morning of the Army’s 250th birthday, the celebration continued with the Army Birthday Fitness Challenge on the National Mall. The high-intensity team event featured obstacles such as rope climbs, burpees, moving weighted sandbags across the course, and lifting logs over weighted bags as a team.

Participants from the Army Reserve included Maj. Rachel Henderson, 200th Military Police Command, Capt. Cole Quinn, U.S. Army Military Intelligence Readiness Command, Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Nauert, U.S. Army Reserve Careers Group, Staff Sgt. Steven Carles, 85th Army Reserve Support Command, and Staff Sgt. Corey Laframboise, U.S. Army Reserve Command.

The competition highlighted the Army’s commitment to readiness and health, as participants pushed their physical limits while strengthening teamwork and camaraderie.

One of the day’s most memorable highlights was a Grand Military Parade along Constitution Avenue, which brought together over 6,000 Soldiers in both historical and modern uniforms, representing all three components: Active Duty, Army Reserve, and the National Guard.

The parade showcased the full strength and heritage of the U.S. Army, featuring 150 vehicles, including M1A2 Abrams tanks and Stryker armored vehicles, 50 aircrafts (including eight Chinooks, 16 AH-64 Apache’s, and 16 UH-60 Black Hawks from the 82nd CAB), 34 horses, Army bands, and a special parachute jump by the Golden Knights. 

The parade culminated in a presidential reenlistment ceremony for 250 Soldiers, including 25 Soldiers from the Army Reserve. This reenlistment symbolized their continued service and the enduring commitment of America’s volunteer Army.

“Since 1775, American Soldiers have represented the very best of our nation. They embody courage, sacrifice, and strength,” said Honorable Dan P. Driscoll, Secretary of the Army.

“Sworn to defend the Constitution and our core American values, American Soldiers have fought against any who might threaten our country. They are the most lethal land fighting force the world has ever seen. The U.S. Army has upheld this legacy for 250 years, and we will carry this legacy into the future.”

The festival was a historic event that showcased the Army’s strength, heritage, and unity. The participation of Army Reserve Soldiers played a critical role, ensuring the success of the Army’s 250th birthday celebration. Their presence underscored the seamless integration of the Army Reserve into large-scale operations and national commemorations, demonstrating that the Reserve is not just a support element, but an essential part of the total force.

Our purpose remains constant. "This We'll Defend" has been our Army's motto since the Revolutionary War. It reminds us that our purpose is timeless and clear: to fight and win our Nation's wars.

As the U.S. Army marks 250 years of service to the nation, the Army Reserve continues to uphold the values and traditions that define the force, always ready to serve, wherever and whenever the nation calls.