The center is responsible for the appropriate use of history and military records throughout the United States Army. Traditionally, this mission has meant recording the official history of the army in both peace and war, while advising the army staff on historical matters. CMH is the flagship organization leading the Army Historical Program.

The Center of Military History (CMH) provides the United States Army, from senior civilian and military leaders to individual soldiers, with an awareness of history. The purposes are to educate and inform. Other military services, policymakers, government agencies, and the public at large also benefit from the Center’s history program.

The United States Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC), at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, is the U.S. Army 's primary historical research facility.