Military Branches

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

Latest in Military Branches

After two full days and nights of events to test their stamina, technical prowess and mental acuity, the remaining teams crossed the finish line April 12, 2026 at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus Georgia, concluding the 2026 Best Ranger Competition. Sgt. Drew Schorsh and Spc. Caleb Godbold, representing the 75th Ranger Regiment, was the winning team. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick A. Albright)

Specialist and sergeant win Best Ranger competition for first time in nearly 40 years

By Jeff Schogol

Posted 5 Hours Ago

Members of the 163d Attack Wing pilot an MQ-9 Reaper taxing down the runway after returning home from a milestone mission to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, February 15th, 2024. The mission marked the first ever MQ-9 to grace the runway at Shaw AFB. This one of many examples of how the 163d ATKW is pushing innovation and the MQ-9 platform to new heights.

The Iran war took a toll on the Air Force’s Reaper fleet

By Patty Nieberg

Posted 6 Hours Ago

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) sails alongside fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), during a replenishment-at-sea in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 18, 2026. Frank E. Peterson Jr. is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christian Kibler)

What we know about the US military’s blockade of Iran

By Jeff Schogol, Nicholas Slayton

Posted 9 Hours Ago

Image: A U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules is reflected in shallow water on the flightline at Shannon, Ireland, March 2, 2026. The 302d AW deployed two C-130 Hercules aircraft and multiple personnel to Ramstein AB, Germany, to support the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Silver Arrow mission. The wing has provided tactical airlift, airdrop, and medical evacuation support in theater since March 2. The Silver Arrow program leverages volunteer Air Reserve Component (ARC) Airmen and their unique skills to enhance the mobility aircraft capabilities of U.S. Air Forces stationed in the European theater. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo)

Man arrested after climbing up on and damaging an Air Force C-130 in Ireland

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted Yesterday

An American Navy destroyer sails through the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, 2026.

Two destroyers cross Strait of Hormuz ahead of mine clearance mission

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 11, 2026

Soldiers and Airmen of the Hawaii National Guard assist the community with sandbag distribution in Waialua, Hawaii, April 7, 2026. At the request of civil authorities, the Hawaii National Guard is assisting with local emergency preparations by staging vehicles and equipment statewide in preparation for heavy rains and possible flooding due to incoming severe weather. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Donald Bond)

More than 300 Hawaii National Guard troops activated as a third storm hits the state

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 11, 2026

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman walks with NASA personnel on the flight deck of the San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) after returning from space on Apr. 10, 2026. John P. Murtha is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission, retrieving the crew and spacecraft following their return to Earth and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a flight around the moon in the Orion space craft, marking the first time humans journeyed to deep space in over 50 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

Navy divers, ship recover Artemis II crew after splashdown

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 River Mitchell, food advisor, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, retrieves a prepared meal from the Sustained Autonomous Meals system at Camp Walker, Daegu, Republic of Korea, Mar. 26, 2026. The system improves efficiency by delivering meals quickly with minimal personnel, strengthening sustainment support in austere locations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Deziree Keay)

The Army is testing out a robotic kitchen that can cook for soldiers downrange

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron prepare to conduct combat search-and-rescue from an MH-6M Little Bird that was offloaded from a MC-130J Commando II during Exercise Agile Chariot near Riverton, Wyoming, May 2, 2023. Agile Chariot tested Agile Combat Employment capabilities, including using smaller, more dispersed locations and teams to rapidly move and support aircraft, pilots and other personnel wherever they’re needed. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

A 2023 special ops exercise in Wyoming was a preview of the Iran rescue mission

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey travels with a next-generation nuclear reactor airlifted from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. to Hill Air Force Base, Utah by a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, Feb. 15, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Brann)

Air Force names 2 bases that could host nuclear ‘microreactors’

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

Reserve officer in fight with Army for owning marijuana dispensary

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

Air Force bonus

Air Force offers up to $50,000 annual bonuses to keep aviators in the service

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 8, 2026

Team Fairchild Airmen congratulate U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Stallings, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator, during a decoration ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, March 31, 2026. The receiving line following an official ceremony allows family, friends and supervisors to personally express their pride and congratulations for honorees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emilee Seiler)

A boom operator on an Air Force tanker earned two DFCs for combat flights

By Nicholas Slayton, Matt White

Posted on Apr 8, 2026

A Paratrooper playing the Opposing Force assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, receives a drone during Devil Avalanche, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, July 22, 2025. Devil Avalanche is a field training exercise where Paratroopers train to operate in periods of darkness, build proficiency on key weapon systems, and sustain the force throughout the exercise. (U.S. Army B-Roll package by Sgt. Dominick Smith)

Army plans to host new commercial data centers on at least 4 bases

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) conduct live-fire missions during Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Army Photo)

Army lets soldiers deployed for Operation Epic Fury reenlist two years early

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

U.S. Army MH-60M Black Hawks assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) fly in formation during a helicopter air-to-air refueling exercise above the Southeastern United States, Jan. 23, 2026. Air to air refueling extends a helicopter’s non-stop flight distance, a capability necessary for joint special operations missions far from established airfields and logistical support. These exercises demonstrate the 1 SOW’s ability to project specialized airpower whenever and wherever needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner)

What we know about the commando raid to recover the F-15 crew member in Iran

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 5, 2026