The United States Armed Forces are currently the most powerful and strongest troops in the world, with an active staff of approximately 1.36 million people and a budget of $686 billion in 2018. One of their most important components is the ground army, i.e., the United States Army, in which 476,000 soldiers in the line served in 2017. The most numerous type of army in the ground forces is, of course, infantry, primarily motorized and mechanized. It is theoretically assigned to divisions, but in practice, it very often operates within the Brigade Combat Team. Infantry units are divided into the classic Infantry Brigade Combat Team, consisting of, inter alia, three infantry battalions and support units. In 2014, it consisted of about 4,400 people and an infantry brigade on Stryker vehicles (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) based on three motorized infantry battalions and support units. In 2014, it had around 4,500 soldiers and 307 Styker vehicles in various versions. The American infantry also serves in Armored Brigade Combat Team, in companies, and in mechanized infantry battalions. The main shooting weapons of the American infantryman are the 5.56 mm M16 and M4 rifles. As an interesting fact, it can be said that the private (Private E1) US Army earns about $20,000 annually, while the sergeant (Sergeant E5), with 2 years of experience, earns about $ 28,700. These are basic salaries, without any allowances or bonuses.