Five separate military services make up the United States Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. These branches organize, train, and equip the nation's land, sea, and air services to support the national and international policies of the government. Together, they are responsible for the safety and protection of the citizens of the United States. Those who choose to be members of the armed forces dedicate their lives to protecting their fellow Americans.
Today there are around 1.2 million men and women on active duty and another 755,238 volunteers serving in the Reserve. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 441,226 individuals serve in the Army; 323,856 in the Navy; 312,691 in the Air Force; 166,542 in the Marine Corps; and 39,085 in the Coast Guard.
The military distinguishes between enlisted and officer careers. Enlisted personnel make up about 82 percent of the Armed Forces and carry out the fundamental operations of the military. Officers make up the remaining 18 percent and are leaders of the military, supervising and managing activities in every occupational specialty in the military.
Enlisted personnel typically do the following:
- Participate in or support combat or training operations, or humanitarian or disaster relief
- Operate, maintain, and repair equipment
- Serve as technicians and specialists in a variety of fields
- Serve as front-line supervisors of junior enlisted personnel
Officers typically do the following:
- Organize, plan, and lead troops in ground combat operations
- Serve as supervisors and managers of enlisted personnel
- Operate and control aircraft, ships, or armored vehicles
- Serve as professionals for the military in medical, legal, engineering, and other fields
Those who served in the Armed Forces may make a career of it, following the career paths offered by the military. Many service men and women leverage their military training and connections to launch civilian careers when they leave the service.
- Avionics Engineers
- Avionics Technicians
- Bodyguards
- Drone Pilots
- Flight Instructors
- Hypersonics Engineers
- Hypersonics Technicians
- Intelligence Officers
- Interpreters
- Military Pilots
- Military Police
- Military Recruiters
- Military Workers, Enlisted
- Military Workers, Officers
- Security Consultants
- Security Guards
- Space Systems Operators
- Translators