Founded on June 14, 1775, over a year before the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Army serves as the nation's primary ground military force. Originally known as the "Continental Army," the force was created to fight against Great Britain. At the time, Great Britain had the most powerful military in the world. Under the leadership of George Washington, the Army's first commander, the Army was fought for and succeeded in freeing the Thirteen Colonies from British control. Since, the Army has played a pivital role in every U.S. military conflict, evolving and becoming stronger and more advanced. 

The U.S. Marine Corps is a part of the U.S. Department of the Navy (not to be confused with the U.S. Navy, which a coequal sister force). It serves as an amphibious operative, meaning the Marines provide protection and support for Naval and Air military operations. During a battle, it is common for Marines to be sent in first to clear out threats, secure the environment, and provide safe passage for other branches of the military. As an amphibious warfare division, the Marines specialize in water and land tactics. 

Founded in Philadelphia in 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps shares resources with and from all other branches of the military. The 12-week basic training requirement is the longest of all required boot camp experiences in the U.S. Military. 

The U.S. Navy is the largest and most powerful navy in the world. The Navy, alongside the Marines, is a part of the U.S. Department of the Navy. If you were to combine the forces of the next 13 largest military navies, the U.S. Navy will still stand as the largest and most powerful, giving it command of the seas, globally. 

The Navy contributes much more than worldwide protection to the U.S. and its allies. The presence of the U.S. Navy has resulted in increased and safe global commerce and policing environmental policies. Those protections contribute to the preservation, cleanliness, and survival of our oceans.

Originally formed as part of the Army, the U.S. Air Force become its own branch in 1947. It is the second youngest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, after the newly formed Space Force. 

Like other branches of the military, the Air Force holds itself to a higher standard and embraces core values that include: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. 

As a member of the Air Force, you will learn the latest in cyber, aerial, and space-based technology. You will serve as the first response to unidentified aircraft or unwelcome aircraft. You will provide air support to all branches of the military and collect intelligence from a bird's-eye view, preserving the safety and interest of the United States of America.  

Created in 2019, the Space Force is the newest U.S. Military Branch. Similar to the structure of the Navy and Marines, the Space Force and the Air Force are coequal sister forces that are both under the Department of the Air Force. 

The primary goals of the Space Force include developing space-based protective responses (Guardians), acquiring military space systems, enhancing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to serve as an active branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Coast Guard serves as the primary maritime search, rescue, and law enforcement branch of the U.S. Military. It originated from the Revenue-Marine, an enforcement agency launched by the U.S. Government in the 1790s to enforce tariffs. Eventually evolving into the Coast Guard in 1915, this branch of the U.S. Armed Forces operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during times of peace. The President can place the Coast Guard under Navy command at any time, and Congress can authorize Navy command during times of war.

The Coast Guard boasts honor, integrity, respect, and devotion to duty as its core values.

There are 54 separate U.S. National Guard organizations. This includes one for each state, plus one each for Washington DC, and the U.S. Territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands). The National Guard is the only branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to under state or territory control but can be federalized by the U.S. Government under certain circumstances.

The structure of the National Guard dates back to militias formed by the Thirteen Colonies. Today, the National Guard support local disasters, riot response, disbursement of goods such as vaccinations and food, and in some cases can be deployed into active war zones.

The National Guard is primarily a reserve force. This means members of the National Guard are only called upon in response to an event or to prepare for events or disasters. Full-time active duty opportunities are rare.