Part of being a good citizen is supporting the US and its people. For many, that means serving in
the community, and for others that means taking on a leadership role in the government. But for some
individuals, there is a different calling. One of the most visible and important government services
is the military. The U.S. armed forces keeps our nation safe, promotes democracy in other nations,
and allows the U.S to safely trade with the entire world. Let's take a close look
today at what many consider to be the greatest service citizens can perform for their country.
Our objectives today are to describe citizen involvement in the military,
list the branches and describe characteristics of the U.S. armed forces,
and describe primary functions and other important characteristics of each branch. Fall in, troops.
As of 2022, about 2.2 million Americans serve in various branches of the military, with about
1.4 million of those in active service and the other 800,000 in the reserves or National Guard.
Something to consider. While most think of the military as those who are trained to defend our
nation, which is true, each branch of the Armed Forces has job classifications for which they
train individuals. For example, the Army alone has almost 200 career paths from which to choose.
The opportunities range from combat related jobs, to those dealing with computers, mechanics,
food services, or even financial management. If you have a job in mind, the military just might
train you for it and pay you while you learn. Joining the military is voluntary, not mandatory.
The draft hasn't been used in the U.S. since 1973, and enlistment terms can be for periods
as short as two years. While the Armed Forces is not for everyone, its multiple options offer
opportunity for many to receive an education and to make a living, all while serving their country.
With those 2.2 million individuals in uniform full-time and part-time,
the U.S has the third largest military force in the world. However, in terms of cost,
the United States spends far more than any other country on National Defense and the military.
For example, in 2019 the U.S. spent more than 700 billion on the military
and defense. In comparison, that was more than the next ten nations combined.
The result of that spending is that the U.S. armed forces is generally considered the most
powerful military force the world has ever seen. Let's take a closer look at each branch.
Consider this fact. The Continental Army was formed in 1775, meaning the predecessor
to today's U.S. Army is actually older than the United States itself,
which officially became a nation with the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The Army is a land-based force that specializes in sustained combat operations on the ground.
It's the largest branch of the U.S. military and provides protection for our country,
both here and abroad. Like the Army, the U.S. Navy originated in 1775 for the Revolutionary War.
The Navy is a sea-based force that specializes in maritime or water-centric operations. In battle,
the Navy seeks control of the sea and its traffic by utilizing its some 300 ships.
A third military branch, the Marine Corps, was formed in 1775 as well. It was disbanded
in 1783 at the end of the war, then reorganized in 1798. The Marine Corps, an independent branch that
also serves as part of the Navy, is amphibious, meaning it trains for combat on both land and sea.
With a 12-week basic training that prepares Marines to fight in a variety of conditions,
some consider the Marine Corps to be the most combat-ready branch of the U.S. military.
The U.S. Air Force was formed in 1907 shortly after the invention of the airplane. It served
as part of the Army for decades until becoming an independent branch in 1947. As its name implies,
the Air Force is responsible for air-based operations. It defends the U.S. and its interest
through air power and superiority. The other two military branches are even more specialized.
The Coast Guard was founded in 1790 and provides maritime law enforcement on America's oceans,
coasts, lakes, and rivers. They also provide security, defense, and search
and rescue operations on the water. Operating under the Department of Homeland Security,
the Coast Guard is the only branch of the military operating outside of the Department of
Defense. However, it can be transferred to the Department of the Navy in wartime conditions.
The newest branch, the Space Force, was created when it separated from the Air Force in 2019.
As you might expect, the Space Force is tasked with missions to research mobility
and communication in space and to improve defense of the U.S. and its allies. The Space Force is
also by far the smallest of the six branches. The Army is the largest branch with almost half
a million soldiers, while the Navy and the Air Force each have well over 300,000 who serve.
As mentioned before, about one-third of the military's force is comprised of everyday
citizens serving as part-time soldiers in the reserves and National Guard. All but the
space force have a Reserve Corps, with the Army Reserves nearly 200,000 troops easily being the
largest. As for the National Guard, which as you may recall can be activated by state governors,
more than 330,000 citizens are in the Army National Guard, while more than 100,000
serve part-time in the Air Force. Serving in one of these roles allows citizens to lead
everyday lives while training a couple of days each month, and for a couple weeks each year.
They also provide a quick response to emergency situations in which more troops are needed.
The U.S. armed forces are regarded as the top military force on the planet. A distinction
that carries with it a great responsibility. You probably remember from a previous lesson that the
U.S. has become in many ways a world protector, a role the U.S. has embraced, but one that is costly
as well, as evidenced by our military spending. The U.S. has military bases in 85 foreign nations
and territories around the globe to protect democracy, not just in the U.S. but worldwide.
Despite those numbers and the advanced technology, the U.S. military relies on
citizen volunteering to serve their country, and really the world. Keep that in mind young
citizens, as you continue to vote, debate, and participate, and remember to always be clever.