What Are All The Military Branches

Requirements For Joining The Military

The U.S. military has six branches of service: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force. The requirements to join are similar for all six. The main differences are in age limits, test scores, and fitness levels. Men and women meet different fitness standards. Besides the requirements listed here, a branch may have other requirements.

Age Limits for Enlisting

You must be at least 17 to enlist in any branch of the active military. The oldest you can be to enlist for active duty in each branch is:

• Coast Guard: 31

• Space Force: 39

Some branches have different age limits for their part-time Reserve and National Guard. Visit each service’s recruiting website for its part-time age limits.

Requirements for Enlisting If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to enlist in the military, but you may have fewer options. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must:

• Have a permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card

• Currently live in the U.S.

• Speak, read, and write English fluently

Educational and Testing Requirements for Enlisting

You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. The ASVAB has 10 subtests.

• Your scores on four of those make up your Armed Forces Qualification Test score. This score determines which branch you may join. Each branch has its own lowest score for joining.

• Your scores on all 10 sub-tests determine which job specialties you qualify for.

Health and Fitness Requirements for Enlisting

The Us Military: A Brief Overview

Joining the military includes a lot more than throwing on your military apparel and participating in daily PT. There is a long and storied history behind each branch of our countrys Armed Forces, as well as detailed rules regarding organization and function. Before choosing a branch or even enlisting, it is crucial to understand the structure and tasks of each branch of the U.S. military.

Today, our Armed Forces are organized according to the National Security Act of 1947. This post-WWII legislation gave us the U.S. Air Force and the modern-day Department of Defense, which consists of three military departments: the departments include the Navy, Army and Air Force.

A president-appointed, civilian secretary heads the Department of Defense and each of the three departments within it.

These departments are responsible for the administration of the five different military branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Duties And Administrative Organization

National Guard units can be mobilized for federal active duty to supplement regular armed forces during times of war or national emergency declared by Congress, the President or the Secretary of Defense. They can also be activated for service in their respective states upon declaration of a state of emergency by the governor of the state or territory where they serve, or in the case of Washington, D.C., by the Commanding General. Unlike U.S. Army Reserve members, National Guard members cannot be mobilized individually, except through voluntary transfers and Temporary Duty Assignments . The types of activation are as follows:

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Understanding The 5 Branches Of Us Military

The United States Military is made up of five individual branches. Each one has a specific purpose but all work together seamlessly to protect our country and its citizens. All of the branches of the military are set up in such a way that they can be called into action as needed. Each individual branch has its own unique method of operation and ranks or chain of command.

Can I Join The Space Force

Joining Space Force As A Military Member There are two ways you can join Space Force as a military member: those who have already passed Basic Training and are in Air Force careers may transfer into Space Force depending on time in grade, time in service, Air Force Specialty Code and other variables.

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History Of The United States Military Branches

People tend to think of the United States as not starting until 1776 at the very earliest, but the military was one step ahead. As a way to protect the colonies interests against the British right before the War for Independence, rebel leaders started the U.S. Continental Army in June 1775. The Continental Navy began in October 1775, followed shortly thereafter by the Continental Marines in November. The Coast Guard came along in 1790, after the United States had officially become its own nation. The need for these services rose because of Britains world-class, large Navy. Given that most of the early colonies relied on coastal seaports for survival, much less trade, the ability to defend against the British was paramount.

The latest branches of the U.S. Armed Service relate specifically to the air. The Air Force actually began in 1907, shortly after the invention of aircraft. It became its own division in 1947, separate from the Army. The last is the U.S. Space Force, an air-based service focused on the protection of U.S. interests from above. It was created in 2019.

Women In The Armed Forces

All branches of the U.S. military enlisted women during World War II. The Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps was established by the Army in 1942. Also formed during this time were the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots , the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services , the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, and the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve . Women saw combat during World War II, first as nurses in the Pearl Harbor attacks on 7 December 1941. In 1944, WACs arrived in the Pacific and in Normandy. During the war, 67 Army nurses and 16 Navy nurses were captured and spent three years as Japanese prisoners of war. There were 350,000 American women who served during World War II and 16 were killed on duty. In total, they gained over 1,500 medals, citations and commendations.

In 1974, the first six women naval aviators earned their wings as Navy pilots. The congressionally mandated prohibition on women in combat places limitations on the pilots’ advancement, but at least two retired as captains. The 1991 Gulf War proved to be the pivotal time for the role of women in the U.S. Armed Forces to come to the attention of the world media there are many reports of women engaging enemy forces during the conflict.

In the 2000s, women can serve on U.S. combat ships, including in command roles. They are permitted to serve on submarines. Women can fly military aircraft and make up 2% of all pilots in the U.S. Military.

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Air Force Newest Branch

The Air Force is the youngest military service. Prior to 1947, the Air Force was a separate corps of the Army. The primary mission of the Army Air Corps was to support Army ground forces. However, World War II showed that air power had much more potential than simply supporting ground troops, so the Air Force was established as a separate service.

The primary mission of the Air Force is to defend the United States and its interests via air and space. It operates fighter aircraft, tanker aircraft, light and heavy bomber aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters. The Air Force is also responsible for all military satellites and controls strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. Like the Army, the active duty Air Force is supplemented by the Air Force Reserves and the Air National Guard.

Blue Dress Uniform Variations

Other variations of this uniform include:

• Blue Dress B: same as A variation except medals are replaced with corresponding ribbons and are entirely consolidated on the left chest marksmanship badges may also be worn
• Blue Dress C: same as B variation except the outer blue coat and white gloves are replaced by a khaki, long-sleeve, button-up shirt and tie ribbons and badges are typically worn on the shirt
• Blue Dress D: same as C variation but featuring a khaki short-sleeve, button-up shirt and no tie

Since the Marine Corp Dress Blue uniform is considered formal wear for this branch, Blue Dress C and Blue Dress D variations are rarely worn.

The exceptions would be Marine Recruiters and Marine Corps Security Guards who would potentially wear the C and D uniforms during warm weather.

In addition, Marine One pilots may wear the C and D variations in place of their flight suit.

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The Roles Of Different Branches Of The Us Military

The United States military is one of the most comprehensive, effective and respected armed forces in the world. Without the tireless commitment of military personnel from the soldiers on the ground to the support staff behind the scenes America could not be the world power it is today. Each branch of the U.S. military has a unique mission, and here is a brief rundown of what those missions entail, courtesy of Military.com and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Air Force: Power In The Air

As the youngest branch of the United States military, the Air Force began as part of the Army. After 1947, however, it became its own independent branch responsible for protecting the United States from the sky and supporting the Army troops that were stationed on the ground. After proving its value in World War II, it was determined that the Air Force provided increased potential as a significant air power.

The United States Air Force is responsible for all types of flight ranging from general air maneuvers to space travel. Tanker planes, fighter planes, and light to heavy bomber aircraft as well as transport planes and tactical helicopters that can be manned with guns or used for precision maneuvers are all essential to the Air Force being able to accomplish their mission. The Air Force also is supported by two separate divisions. The Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves are designed to be called up for service much like their Army counterparts.

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Wait What About The National Guard

Florida Air National Guard, 125th Medical Group Detachment 1, set up patient treatment tents, practiced triage, and ran search and rescue operations at Camp Blanding, Florida.|Photo credit DVIDS/Senior Airman Cole Benjamin

Though the National Guard isnt technically a military branch, it is an important component of the service. It is a combination of the Army National Guard and the Air Force National Guard, which both serve as reserve components of their respective branches.

Each state, most U.S. territories and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard, which can be activated by both governors and the president. When they are called upon, these part-time service members are ready to respond to reconstruction efforts, natural disasters and some overseas combat missions. In 2020 alone, tens of thousands of National Guard members were activated to help fight the coronavirus and respond to other natural disasters.

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United States Armed Forces

The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, , Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and forms military policy with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security , both federal executive departments, acting as the principal organs by which military policy is carried out. All six armed services are among the eight uniformed services of the United States.

The U.S. Armed Forces are one of the largest military forces in terms of personnel. They draw their personnel from a large pool of professional volunteers. Although military conscription has been used in the past, it has not been used in the U.S. since 1973. The Selective Service System retains the power to conscript males, and requires that all male citizens and residents residing in the U.S. between the ages of 1825 register with the service.

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The Following Are Officer Branch Specialties Of The Us Army:

Combat Arms Branches

Infantry

The Infantry encompasses positions concerned with the employment of the combined arms to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver in order to destroy or capture him, or repel his assault by fire, close combat, and counterattack. Infantry forces fight dismounted or mounted according to the mobility means provided. They form the nucleus of the Army’s fighting strength around which the other arms and services are grouped.

Air Defense Artillery

Air Defense Artillery encompasses positions concerned with the employment of a family of Air Defense Artillery weapons in support of military land combat operations and against enemy aircraft and missile attacks. Depending upon the mission, Air Defense Artillery units are found defending the ground-gaining combat arms units or critical units/areas against enemy air attack. When not in combat, Air Defense Artillery units maintain an around-the-clock state of readiness to respond immediately to hostile action.

Armor

The Armor encompasses positions concerned with the employment of the Armor/Cavalry maneuver forces and combined arms organizations during mobile combat operations. Armor’s mission is to close with and destroy the enemy using fire, maneuver, and shock action. The dynamism that distinguished the cavalry of yesteryear is now the hallmark of the Armor, the Combat Arm of Decision. Armor Officers command the World’s Best Main Battle Tank, The M1A1 Abrams!

Upholding The Security For All Americans

Sworn to protect the safety of all Americans, the military plays a critical role inside and outside the war zone. However, they are not the only unit responsible for ensuring our safety.

The president of the United States is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and commandeers the Armys movement. The Department of Defense controls the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force, while the Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security.

Altogether, they are responsible for the safety and security of the American people. They create and enforce policies and make decisions that determine how the military is used. These policies are implemented by the different military branches.

The primary duty of the United States Military is to protect American citizens at home and abroad. The military carries out the day-to-day missions and tasks to ensure peace and order.

The different military branches have their own responsibilities and work together to ensure that all bases are covered.

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Which Military Branch Is The Hardest

Do not expect to get into this military branch without a high school diploma. In addition, it is most difficult to get a satisfactory score in the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery. Thus, in this regard, the Air Force is the hardest military branch out of all five primary branches to get into.

Number Of Guardsmen By State Territory And Dc

A member of the NG, often called a “guardsman,” is a person who has signed an Enlistment Contract and has subscribed to an Enlistment Oath, is still alive, or has not yet been discharged. The subscription to the oath and the signature must be witnessed by a person, typically a Guard officer, authorized as an official witness. The term of the enlistment, or membership, runs from the date on the contract through the date on the discharge or the death certificate.

The “number of guardsmen” is a statistic generated by the Defense Manpower Data Center , an agency of the DoD tasked with tracking the identities of all persons in the active military, its reserves, and civilians employed by it. Membership in the Guard may be regarded as an independent variable. It changes constantly. Its value at any instant cannot be known exactly. It can, however, be estimated from the records of the DMDC. Its data and reports are for the most part inaccessible to the general public, but it does make available some reports under the category “DoD Personal, Workforce Reports & Publications.”

Below is a sample summary of a profile of National Guard membership as of September 30, 2020. Only the non-total columns come from the source. The totals are calculated from the data.

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What Are The Branches Of The Us Military

What is the military? In simple terms, the U.S. Armed Forces are made up of the six military branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, , Navy and, most recently, Space Force.

There are three general categories of military people: active duty , reserve & guard forces , and veterans and retirees . And of course, there are the millions of family members and friends of military members, past and present.

But you’re here to learn more about the military. There is much to learn. So first the basics.

Which Country Has Best Army

RANKED: The world’s 20 strongest militaries

• 9) United Kingdom. Budget: $60.5 billion. …
• 8) Italy. Budget: $34 billion. …
• 7) South Korea. Budget: $62.3 billion. …
• 6) France. Budget: $62.3 billion. …
• 5) India. Budget: $50 billion. …
• 4) Japan. Budget: $41.6 billion. …
• 3) China. Budget: $216 billion. …
• 2) Russia. Budget: $84.5 billion.

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