The U.S. has announced the number of troops and military equipment that will take part in a parade in Washington on June 14, 2025, to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. This date also happens to be Donald Trump’s birthday.
Interestingly, no military parade is planned in Washington for Armed Forces Day, which is considered the more significant national occasion and is celebrated on the third Saturday of May — this year, on May 24. This is despite the fact that all U.S. military branches, not just the Army, are turning 250 this year. The timing and scale of the June 14 event have led many to believe that Trump is using the Army Day parade to celebrate his birthday in grand fashion — and perhaps to symbolically compete with russian president vladimir putin, known for orchestrating massive military parades.
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The planned parade will feature 6,700 U.S. Army troops marching through Washington, with representation from every division. In addition, there will be heavy military hardware on display: 28 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers, artillery, and other combat vehicles — in total, about 150 vehicles. The air segment of the parade will include 50 helicopters.
It’s important to note that since the event is specifically in honor of the Army, only Army units and equipment will be involved. The U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force will not take part. This limitation also contributes to the perception that the parade was tailored more around Trump’s preferences than a comprehensive celebration of all armed forces — something that would have been more fitting for Armed Forces Day on May 24.
As in russia, part of the parade will be dedicated to military history. However, while russian parades, especially the annual Victory Day event on May 9, are known for showcasing WWII-era uniforms, T-34 tanks, and SU-100 self-propelled guns across moscow’s Red Square, the Washington parade will feature U.S. soldiers in period uniforms from each era since 1775. It will also display historical vehicles, such as Sherman tanks, and aircraft including the P-51 Mustang, B-17, and B-25.
Still, in terms of sheer scale, the American event will be smaller than its russian counterpart. The moscow Victory Day parade included about 11,000 personnel as well as over 180 pieces of military equipment. These displays in russia are often used to project national pride and military strength both domestically and abroad.
In contrast, such military parades in the U.S. are rare and controversial. Large-scale displays of military hardware are often criticized for resembling the practices of authoritarian regimes. American tradition tends to favor parades involving marching bands, floats, and civilian participation — reflecting a more celebratory and inclusive civic spirit rather than a top-down military showcase.
Back in 2018, Trump proposed a similar military parade on Veterans Day, a more widely respected American holiday, but scrapped the idea due to opposition from political leaders and the Pentagon itself.
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