Military Branches

The US military has 6 service branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

Latest in Military Branches

Featured Art: An F-35A Lightning II sits ready to taxi prior to a deployment from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in March 2025. (United States Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete) 
Air Force

F-35 pilots receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for Midnight Hammer, missions in Yemen

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted 1 Hour Ago

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Robert Marquez, a platoon commander with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leads Marines during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel training as part of a MEU exercise on U.S. Army Fort Novosel Louisville, Alabama, April 16, 2026. This exercise sharpened the 24th MEU’s command and control capabilities, ensuring seamless communication and decisive action for our upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bolin Jr.)
Marine Corps

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit deploys to Caribbean

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted 22 Hours Ago

Marine Sergeant
Marine Corps

Marines can be promoted to sergeant much faster under new policy

By Jeff Schogol

Posted Yesterday

U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) clear a trench during a live-fire exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) on Fort Polk, Louisiana, March 23, 2026. The rotation validated the unit’s ability to conduct unconventional warfare in a simulated large-scale combat operations environment to meet the growing demands of an evolving security environment. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Edgar Martinez)
Army

Man convicted in backwoods killing of Delta Force soldier and Army veteran

By Matt White

Posted on May 28, 2026

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (June 23, 2025) - Midshipman candidates from New Student Indoctrination (NSI) Cycle 1 march to their graduation ceremony at Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall at Recruit Training Command (RTC) aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, June 23. NSI is a physically demanding 2.5-week course that provides standardized basic military instruction to Midshipman candidates and supports their transition into the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC). NROTC falls under Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), which is led by Rear Adm. Matthew Pottenburgh and headquartered aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. NSTC oversees 98 percent of initial training for Navy enlisted and officer accessions, including RTC, Officer Training Command, and NROTC units at more than 160 colleges and universities. NSTC is also responsible for the Navy’s Citizen Development Program, which includes Navy National Defense Cadet Corps and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps units globally. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)
Navy

Out of the 22 Navy officers just promoted to admiral, none were women

By Patty Nieberg, Matt White

Posted on May 27, 2026

A US Marines MV-22B Osprey aircraft flies over the city on its way to the US Embassy, in Caracas, on May 23, 2026, during an air evacuation drill. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP via Getty Images)
Marine Corps

Marines stage mock evacuation at Venezuela embassy

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 24, 2026

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Gregory K. Anderson, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps, conducts the oath of enlistment for 64 future U.S. Soldiers during the 85th National Airborne Day celebration at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville, N.C., Aug. 16, 2025. This event commemorated paratroopers past and present, celebrating 85 years of U.S. airborne history with events at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM).
Army

Army reaches its recruiting goal several months early

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 23, 2026

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz sails on Panama Bay, in Panama City on March 30, 2026. The ship reached the country alongside the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), as part of the multinational maritime cooperation exercises "Mares del Sur 2026." (Photo by HUGE PERALTA / AFP via Getty Images)
Navy

Nimitz carrier group arrives in Caribbean amid Cuba tensions

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 23, 2026

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Air Force

Security Forces airman becomes first Air Force graduate of Army’s revived jungle school

By Matt White

Posted on May 22, 2026

Mace Veit, a private first class in the Nevada National Guard, graduated four prestigious Army school since January: Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault and Pathfinder.
Army

19-year-old soldier completes Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault and Pathfinder schools

By Matt White

Posted on May 21, 2026

Maj. (Dr.) Erika Page receives the Hero of Military Medicine Award from Brig. Gen. Lance Raney (left), U.S. Army deputy surgeon general, and Joseph Caravalho, president and chief executive officer of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, May 7 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The annual Heroes of Military Medicine awards recognize outstanding contributions by senior leaders, medical professionals, and civilians working in the Department of War.
Army

Doctor recalls treating dozens after Tower 22 drone attack

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on May 20, 2026

An OA-1K Skyraider II comes in for a landing on a dirt path July 10 on the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida range. The new Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft continues developmental testing with the 96th Test Wing and the U.S. Special Operations Command at Eglin. (Courtesy image)
Air Force

Air Force now has 18 of its new Skyraider II ‘Swiss Army Knife’ aircraft, official says

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 19, 2026

Two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers assigned to the Growler Demo Team perform a capabilities demonstration during the Guardians of Freedom Airshow, Aug. 27, 2023, at the Lincoln Airport, Nebraska. Hosted by the Nebraska National Guard, Offutt Air Force Base, Lincoln Airport and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the event provides the community with an opportunity to view the robust capabilities of U.S. military air power. The Growler Demo Team performs at air shows across the United States as part of the U.S. Navy Legacy Flight Team, designed to keep Naval Aviation’s ties to its proud heritage alive and viable. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson)
Navy

Fighter pilots say Growler crews’ safe ejections were a ‘miracle’

By Matt White

Posted on May 18, 2026

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, is honored with the sword during an Order of the Sword ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, May 14, 2026. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor and tribute noncommissioned officers can bestow upon an individual. Healy becomes the 18th person to receive the Air Force Reserve honor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Erica Webster) 
Air Force

Air Force Reserve Command chief honored with massive sword

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 18, 2026

CLEVELAND (May 9, 2026) – The future USS Cleveland (LCS 31) arrives in Cleveland, Ohio, May 9, 2026, ahead of its commissioning ceremony. Cleveland is the fourth warship to be named after Ohio’s second largest city and is the 16th and final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) to be built and commissioned in the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jasmin L. Aquino) 
Navy

Navy commissions the USS Cleveland, the last littoral combat ship

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 17, 2026

An F/A-18 taxis before flight aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during Operation Epic Fury March 6, 2026. (U.S Navy Photo)
Navy

Ford Carrier Strike Group awarded rare Presidential Unit Citation for Iran War

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 16, 2026