Decoding the U.S. Military Branches

More than 1.195 million active-duty military personnel work in various branches. If you’ve been wondering what the difference is between them, you’ve come to the right place.

Below we’ve taken the time to decode the different military branches to give you deeper insight into each and what they do.

By the time you’ve finished scrolling through this post, you’ll have more information about what the responsibilities are during war and non-combat situations.

Army

The Army is the oldest branch of the military, and they’re one of the first to be called upon when it’s time to go to war. They are also called upon when allies of the United States need a stronger defense when there is war in their countries.

During times when there isn’t war, the Army is deployed to ensure that all peacekeeping tasks are being used. This is beneficial for things like:

• Drug trade defense

• Border security

The Army is so beneficial because it allows the other branches of the military to continue doing their jobs and completing their missions.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is a branch of the military that will be called upon during war if necessary, but they work and operate as a part of the Navy. The Coast Guard does have law enforcement responsibilities that are upheld as a part of their non-combat jobs.

When people are lost during threatening situations, the Coast Guard is deployed to complete a search and rescue. They’re also tasked with protecting:

• Maritime facilities

• Ports

• Vessels

You may know them as the people we call for sea combat purposes.

Air Force

The air force is responsible for planning and conducting all air combat attacks during times of war. They can also offer aid and support to troops on the ground from the air when needed.

For example, this is their job if troops are on the ground that needs retrieval. When they’re not called to war, their responsibilities remain the same, which is to offer support such as:

• Aerial refueling

• Aeromedical evacuation

• Airlifts

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps may find themselves fighting international when deployed. Their job is to ensure that all naval bases and embassies are always protected from invaders.

When needed, they can strike with force when the interests of the United States are under imminent threat by outside forces.

More Military Branches

More military branches are out there, including the military reserve. Some of the others include:

• The Navy

• U.S Space Force

• All military reserves

Each has its own set of functions and responsibilities, but when you see the word reserve, this means the set of men and women that don’t fight active duty. However, they are to offer extra aid and support to the active troops in extreme conditions.

You can distinguish the different branches based on their military patches. To learn more about them, click here.

Military Branches 101

You might not have known about several military branches, from the Marine Corps to the Navy. Each has its responsibilities, but the basis is to protect the United States, its allies, and its interest.

Want to know more about the military or related topics? Check out some of the other posts in this section.