The Most Basic Facts About the U.S. Armed Forces Most Americans Don’t Know

The general term "the military" is tossed around daily by people who don't understand the context, procedures, or separations of power within the armed forces. While the presence of military branches is always felt, many Americans don't know the basics of the branches, their role in conflict, and their functions. We've put together a list of 10 questions and basic facts many Americans don't know about the Armed Forces.

There are six branches of the United States military. Each one plays a unique role in the nation's security, intelligence, and force. The Army is responsible for ground combat and is the oldest and largest branch of the military. The Navy provides runways for aircraft flying at sea, allowing military plans a place to refuel and transfer goods. It also protects waterways. The Coast Guard is a federal law enforcement agency that leads search and rescue missions, secures waterways and enforces laws at sea. The Air Force's main job is to defend the country through the exploitation of space and air. The Marine Corps specializes in amphibious military operations. The newly organized Space Force trains, equips, and organizes space forces to protect allied and US interests in space.

The National Guard is also part of the military and consists of the Air National Guard and the Amy National Guard. These forces support humanitarian efforts, and combat missions, fulfill homeland security operations, and handle domestic emergencies.

The Navy and Coast Guard are two different branches of the military and play two different roles within the forces. They are vastly different sizes, differ in distinct core operations, and exist in different geographic scopes.

The Coast Guard protects ports, waterways, and shorelines and serves as first responders on the water. When you think of someone lost at sea, it's the Coast Guard who sets out to find them. It's not a part of the Department of Defense but is a member of the United States Armed Forces. Members of the Coast Guard are separated into six distinct operational focuses: defense operations, security operations, transportation systems management, safety, and marine environmental protection, first response, and law enforcement.

The Navy plays a more proactive, protective role in protecting US interests throughout the world. Their focus is defending US allies, protecting things in the water that threaten the country and in turn, increase economic prosperity. They defend sea lanes, keep waterways open so goods can be transferred from one country to another. They prevent drug tracking and piracy and provide humanitarian assistance when needed. They also coordinate and operate telecommunications systems on the water.

Most of the branches of the United States military have both an active duty and a reserve branch, but they are not the same. Active duty service members work for the military full-time. They often live on military bases and can be deployed whenever necessary. They receive benefits and full-time pay.

Reserve duty is part-time service in the military, sort of like a part-time job. They receive partial benefits and part-time pay. Most keep a civilian job and have military training somewhere close to where they live. Reserve duty members must participate in training drills two weeks each year and one weekend a month. The purpose of a reserve component is to make sure the US military has service people trained and ready to go at any time. Members of the reserve can be called to fill positions overseas and stateside when needed.

A commanding officer has many jobs within their branch of the military. They are responsible for leading their unit, establishing policies, developing plans, inspecting, maintaining their unit's economy, and providing technical guidance. They also function as an example of how they want their unit to conduct itself. They develop and create plans to finish missions and inspect the unit to ensure it's operating efficiently. A commanding officer is also in charge of discipline and making changes when necessary.

Deployment by definition in the dictionary is the act or movement of deploying or the state of being deployed. This refers to military equipment or personnel put into positions for a particular purpose or use. Military deployment is the movement of armed forces.

Deployment can be outside the country and may move a servicemember to places out the continental United States. There are times when troops are deployed to enter a combat zone. Most deployments last between 90 days and 15 months, although every situation is unique.

The military has dedicated cyber units that help boost cybersecurity efforts. They play a large role in protecting the US from cyber threats by monitoring for attacks, responding to cyber incidences on military systems, and performing assessments of the system's vulnerability. There are special cyber units like the U.S. Army Cyber Command and others that hold high-security clearance and play a huge part in keeping the country safe from a cyber attack.

This is a military court that tries civilians or members of enemy forces who are charged with national security times during a war. They are different from court-martials and don't operate within the same criminal and civil proceedings of most crimes. They are often used when civil courts are unsuitable or unavailable and are based on charges brought by military authorities rather than law enforcement. Military officers then do the judging and sentencing.

You may have also heard the term court-martial. This is similar to a criminal trial, but it's done within the military. Any offenses against military law are handled in a court-martial. There are three types: general, special and summary. The military operates under different rules of evidence and the jury doesn't have to have a unanimous verdict to convict, unless the death penalty is on the table.

When a servicemember leaves the military, an honorable discharge is the highest ranking they can receive. This means that they followed the rules, completed their duties and their conduct never reflected badly on their unit. To obtain an honorable discharge, they must receive a rating of anywhere from good to excellent during their service. They must maintain military standards of discipline, duty, performance, and conduct. It's also required that they complete their time commitment or enlistment.

A dishonorable discharge is a punitive one that is handed down after a court-martial if the servicemember is convicted of certain offenses. These offenses include being drunk on duty, sexual assault, desertion, fraud, and murder. A dishonorable discharge is given when the servicemember's actions harmed the military's integrity and effectiveness.

The Medal of Honor is the most distinguished decoration that the government awards to servicemembers. In the name of Congress, the President of the United States presents the honor to military members who showed intrepidity and gallantry at the risk of their own lives.

The Medal of Honor is earned when the servicemember was engaged in battle with one of the country's enemies or is engaged in conflict operations with an opposing foreign force. It can also be earned when service with friendly forces against a conflicting armed force. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: one for the Air Force, one for the Army, and the same one for the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Navy.

There are more than 420 military bases in the country. The population of the state determines the number of bases in the state. For example, Alaska has 47 bases while California has 123. The state with the second-most bases is Texas with 59. There are also military bases in 80 other countries like Cuba, Italy, Greece, Germany, and Japan.