<P> On July 18, 1775, the Congress requested all colonies form militia companies from "all able bodied effective men, between sixteen and fifty years of age ." It was not uncommon for men younger than sixteen to enlist as most colonies had no requirement of parental consent for those under twenty - one (adulthood). </P> <P> Four major - generals (Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam) and eight brigadier - generals (Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathanael Greene) were appointed by the Second Continental Congress in the course of a few days . After Pomeroy did not accept, John Thomas was appointed in his place . </P> <P> As the Continental Congress increasingly adopted the responsibilities and posture of a legislature for a sovereign state, the role of the Continental Army became the subject of considerable debate . Some Americans had a general aversion to maintaining a standing army; but on the other hand the requirements of the war against the British required the discipline and organization of a modern military . As a result, the army went through several distinct phases, characterized by official dissolution and reorganization of units . </P> <P> Soldiers in the Continental Army were citizens who had volunteered to serve in the army (but were paid), and at various times during the war, standard enlistment periods lasted from one to three years . Early in the war the enlistment periods were short, as the Continental Congress feared the possibility of the Continental Army evolving into a permanent army . The army never numbered more than 17,000 men . Turnover proved a constant problem, particularly in the winter of 1776--77, and longer enlistments were approved . Broadly speaking, Continental forces consisted of several successive armies, or establishments: </P>

After the revolutionary war what did the united states of america need to create