how was the continental army formed, initially?

The Continental Army was initially formed on June 14, 1775, by a resolution passed by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. It was created to provide a unified and organized military force for the Thirteen Colonies' common defense during the growing conflict with Britain. At the time, colonial militias existed, but they were localized, part-time forces. The Congress incorporated existing Patriot militia forces around Boston (about 22,000 troops) and New York (about 5,000 troops) into the new Continental Army. They also raised ten companies of expert riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia as part of the first Continental Army troops on one- year enlistments. The day after establishing the army, the Second Continental Congress unanimously elected George Washington as commander-in-chief. Washington took command and led the army in early engagements such as the Siege of Boston. The formation addressed the need to replace the disparate and loosely organized colonial militias with a more disciplined, centralized military force capable of sustained operations against the British army. Initially, the army was largely made up of New England soldiers and was organized into divisions, brigades, and regiments under Washington's leadership. The creation of the Continental Army marked the transformation of the colonial resistance into an organized national military effort to fight for independence. This formation was driven by the increasing hostilities that began with events like the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the dissatisfaction with British policies, including the Intolerable Acts. The Continental Congress also set enlistment terms ranging from one to three years and called on all colonies to create militia companies of able-bodied men aged 16 to 50 to support the army. Therefore, the Continental Army originated from the consolidation of local militias and volunteer companies under Congressional authority, led by Washington, marking the beginning of the United States Army.