Branches of the U.S. Armed Forces
The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief, and is responsible for all final decisions. The Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) has control over all branches of the military except the Coast Guard, which is under the Dept. of Homeland Security.
There are three general categories of military personnel:
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- Active Duty
- Reserve and Guard Forces
- Veterans and Retirees ā
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The United States military has six branches:
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Army: The oldest branch of the military, the Army protects the country's security and resources.
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Marine Corps: Often the first on the ground in combat situations.
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Navy: Includes the Naval Surface Forces, Naval Submarine Forces, and Naval Air Forces.
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Air Force: Includes the Combat Air Force and Mobility Air Force.
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Space Force: The newest branch of the military, signed into law in December 2019.
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Coast Guard: Includes Coast Guard commands.
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The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of the Army and Air Force, respectively. They operate in part under state authority.