In commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States Army, here are 10 lesser-known facts about the U.S. Army that many Americans don’t know about:

1. It Predates the Nation It Serves
   The U.S. Army was established on June 14, 1775, over a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
2. It’s the Largest Branch of the U.S. Military
   The Army has over 450,000 active duty soldiers, making it the largest branch by personnel.
3. The U.S. Army Once Had a Camel Corps
   In the 1850s, the Army experimented with camels in the southwestern deserts. It worked—but the Civil War ended the project.
4. The Army Invented Duct Tape
   During World War II, the Army developed “duck tape” (the original name) at the Green River Ordnance Plant to waterproof ammunition cases. It later evolved into the duct tape we use today.
5. The Army Operates Its Own Navy
   The U.S. Army has a small fleet of about 130 boats, including tugboats and landing craft, operated by the Army Transportation Corps.
6. The Army Has Had More Medals of Honor Awarded Than Any Other Branch
   Over 2,400 Medals of Honor have gone to Army personnel—more than the Navy, Marines, or Air Force. The Navy is second with 746 recipients, followed by the Marine Corps with 297. The Air Force has awarded the fewest Medals of Honor, with only 17 recipients. 
7. Only 20% of the Army Fights on the Front Lines
   Roughly 80% of Army jobs are in support roles—logistics, intelligence, engineering, communications, medical, and more.
8. The Oldest Active U.S. Military Unit Is in the Army
   The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), formed in 1784, is the oldest active-duty infantry unit and guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
9. The Army Has Built Some of America’s Infrastructure
   The Army Corps of Engineers has built dams, levees, and even landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Panama Canal.
10. It Has More Bases Than Any Other Military Branch
    The U.S. Army operates over 150 major installations around the world in more than 70 countries, more than any other branch of the military.

When it comes to the ammunition industry, manufacturers must constantly improve the quality and safety of their products. One of those key areas is the inspection of the ammo components and finished rounds. At First Breach, we have continued our commitment to deliver, from scratch, world-class, small caliber components and ammunition by introducing state-of-the-art, proprietary inspection equipment designed to set a new benchmark for quality control in the industry.

The newly implemented technology leverages laser scanning to perform multi-point analysis on both our components and completed rounds. This advanced system ensures that each unit produced meets the strictest structural and dimensional standards. It is just another way we assess different points on a casing and a complete round, allowing for comprehensive evaluation of structural and dimensional integrity. By utilizing high-precision laser sensor technology, we can detect even the smallest dimensional variations, ensuring that every casing and round adheres to First Breach’s stringent tolerances.

We also take pride in integrating “Industry 4.0 Integration,” i.e. the integration of digital technologies with industrial processes within our smart manufacturing ecosystem. The ecosystem offers real-time data analysis and predictive maintenance capabilities, marrying traditional quality control with the power of digital innovation.

By leveraging advanced technologies alongside human oversight, First Breach can ensure exceptional product quality and operational efficiency while maintaining strict regulatory compliance.

I’ve seen many animated videos of the inner-workings of this incredible tool. This one by Matt Rittman is extremely detailed. Educate yourself on how this American-icon operates.

First Breach makes both .223 REM and 5.56 NATO components and complete ammo for the AR-15 rifle.

by Keith Evans, Vice President of Sales and Marketing

The word “commitment” means different things to different people. For some, commitment is dragging your half-awake body to the ice rink at 5 AM because that’s the only time your child’s team can get ice time. For others, commitment is bringing home a puppy and creating an entire world where that animal truly becomes part of the family. Commitment can be as simple as growing a beard!

One of the most beautiful commitments that I can think of is the commitment a soldier makes to defend their nation and fellow soldiers. We’ve lost many heroes to this commitment, but ultimately, it has laid the foundation for the United States to be the best country in the world.

At First Breach, our commitment is to manufacture world-class, match-grade ammunition components in the USA. Paul J. Meyer once said that “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligence, planning, and focused effort.”

by CJ Dugan, Senior VP of Business Development

On the 25th of August 2022, U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman in Fort Worth ruled that the state law prohibiting most 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying a handgun outside the home violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms and is not enforceable. He stayed the ruling from taking effect for 30 days.  

I first saw this on social media from the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC). FRAC is a 501c3 whose sole mission is to aggressively advocate for and defend firearms, ammunition, and accessories manufacturers and importers from government overreach. Their duties include holding the government accountable for arbitrary and capricious policies and rulings and ensuring that its industry regulation is conducted openly and transparently.  

Upon further researching this ruling, I found it interesting that the decision came in a case brought last year by a gun rights advocacy group, with two individuals arguing their right to carry handguns for protection despite being under 21. Although Texas had kept age restrictions on handgun sales, the age limit to purchase long rifles in the state is 18.  

At First Breach, we are always staying updated on the industry landscape, ensuring that we remain compliant and vigilant in manufacturing the highest quality products for every American. 

by CJ Dugan, Senior VP of Business Development

There are countless incredibly detailed books all about ballistics. People spend their entire lives on the subject and still need to learn more. I was looking around on the good ole internet and ran across the Merriam-Webster definition of “ballistics.” It is defined as “Extremely and usually suddenly excited, upset, or angry” or “of or relating to the science of the motion of projectiles in flight.”    

Interestingly, there are three sub-categories of ballistics – Internal, External, and Terminal – which can be generally categorized as follows:  

• Internal: from the action of firing a cartridge and what happens until the projectile exits the barrel  
• External: from the moment the projectile leaves the barrel until it impacts something 
• Terminal: from the moment that the projectile impacts something until it comes to a complete stop 
  

The picture above gives a graphic representation of these three sub-categories. The projectile does not naturally climb once it exits the barrel due to the natural laws of physics. The weapon manufacturer artificially sets it at either a 10 Minute of Angle or 20 Minute of Angle based on the weapon’s design and the ammunition being used. A “system of systems,” as we like to call them.  

At First Breach, we understand that a lot goes into your weapons and ammunition. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that all of our ammunition components are match-grade quality to provide you with optimal ballistic performance, consistency, and reliability.