Learn about the various branches of the U.S. Military. Find out how they were formed, their role in the nation’s defense, and what it’s like to be a soldier in one of these branches.
The Marines are the smallest branch of the U.S. military, and arguably the toughest. Learn why there is a Marine Corps, how it's structured, the history behind the Corps, how to join, life inside, and leaving. See more »
Brigade, a military unit larger than a regiment and smaller than a division. It is the normal command of a brigadier general in the U.S.
See more »Civil Air Patrol (CAP), an organization of volunteers who contribute their time and aircraft to assist the U.S.
See more »Coast Guard, United States, an armed force responsible for law enforcement, marine safety, aid to vessels and aircraft in distress, pollution control, and other duties in coastal waters and navigable rivers.
See more »Defense, Air, measures taken to guard against airborne enemy attack. The main elements in air defense are (1) detection, (2) identification, (3) interception, and (4) destruction.
See more »Infantry, troops that fight on foot. The objective of the infantry is to attack and destroy the enemy on the ground, or to repel an enemy attack and hold ground.
See more »Legion, the basic infantry unit of the Roman army. Legions were originally small groups of armed citizens sent to deal with threats to the city.
See more »Marine, a soldier who normally serves as part of a naval force. Marines are especially trained for combined land and sea (amphibious) warfare.
See more »Military Police (MP), an organized body of troops exercising police functions among military personnel.
See more »National Guard, the name in some countries for the organized volunteer militia.
See more »Navy, a nation's armed forces that operate on water. A navy consists not only of combat vessels, but also of aircraft and everything necessary to supply the fighting craft and maintain them in operation.
See more »Paratroops, soldiers especially trained and equipped to make parachute jumps from airplanes.
See more »Regiment, traditionally the largest military unit belonging to a single arm or branch of service, such as infantry or cavalry; the command of a colonel.
See more »Squadron, a military unit of varying size. In the United States forces, a naval air squadron or air force squadron varies in size from 6 to 40 aircraft, depending on the type used.
See more »Swiss Guards, a body of about 100 soldiers from Switzerland that guards Vatican City and the person of the pope.
See more »Zouaves, an elite corps of French colonial infantry, notable for their rapid and vigorous system of drill and for their colorful uniform of red, baggy trousers, blue jacket, and fez.
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