Standing army

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/standing-army

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the composition?Full-time soldiers, either career military personnel or conscripts
2. What is the operational status?Permanent, maintained continuously rather than raised for specific conflicts
3. Why do countries need a standing army?It helps keep people safe by being ready to stop fights before they start. The army can also help in emergencies like natural disasters.
4. How is a standing army different from a militia?A militia is made of volunteers who join only when needed, while a standing army has soldiers who work full time and keep training all year.

Professional Military: An armed force composed of individuals serving as a full-time occupation.
Conscription: Mandatory enlistment of people into a national service, typically the armed forces.
Defensive Deterrence: The act of discouraging potential attacks by demonstrating a strong capacity to defend.