The Army 226th Birthday coin depicts a soldier of today and one from 1901 with the motto "Reforming and Transforming: 1901-2001-On Point for the Nation." The Army entered the twentieth century facing extraordinary challenges; it had to reform itself from a frontier constabulary into a modern expeditionary army with worldwide commitments and responsibilities. Beginning with the far-sighted reforms of Secretary of War Elihu Root, the Army changed to meet the uncertain requirements of a new century, requirements it met superbly. Today we face equally extraordinary challenges in an information age and a multipolar world. The Army must transform itself into a new force for a new century while always continuing to be "On Point for the Nation."

The reverse of the Army 226th Birthday coin symbolizes the continuity inherent in Army service to the nation. It is a precise replica of Army campaign medals struck between 1865 and 1917, with the name of Elihu Root, Secretary of War, around the outer rim. Soldiers in the early twentieth century would have received this medal had they served in a campaign such as the Philippine War in progress in 1901, one hundred years ago. Thus this side of the coin binds the current generation of soldiers to those who served last century during a different, but no less challenging, era of transition. Then, as now, the words "For Service" resonate in the hearts and minds of our soldiers "On Point for the Nation."