Final answer:
George Washington confronted several immediate challenges as commander of the Continental Army, such as integrating state militias, inadequately trained volunteers, brief enlistment terms, and the management of a small standing army amid supply and equipment shortages.
Step-by-step explanation:
As commander of the Continental Army, George Washington faced a range of immediate challenges including the difficulty of integrating various state militias, dealing with poorly trained volunteers, coping with the effects of short enlistment terms, and managing a relatively small national army.
These issues were further exacerbated by equipment shortages, a lack of standardized uniforms, and challenges in establishing discipline among the troops. Moreover, the difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies and equipment was apparent, especially as some soldiers lacked basic necessities like muskets or bayonets.