Branches of the U.S. Armed Forces

Air Force (148) Joint Services (6142) Army (114) Marines (94) Coast Guard (40) Navy (215) Guard and Reserve (37)

DOD Inspector General

The Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General was established by Congress in 1978 to serve as the principal adviser to the secretary of defense for matters relating to the prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse in the programs and operations of the Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

A list of questions and answers concerning questions about the United States Military that have been asked the most often in our message forum and via email.

Glossary of Military Terms

Over 6,800 military words and terms defined.

Living On or Off Base -- Which is Better?

Many military members have the choice to live on-base or off-base. So, which is better? There is no clear answer. It depends on your branch of service, the base you're assigned to, the policies of your base/command, whether you are married or single, and whether you are a junior member or have a few years of service under your belt.

During my 23 years of active duty service, I've lived…

Origins of Hoorah in the U.S. Military

You can hear it echoing from the hallowed halls of Fort Benning, Ga.'s Infantry Center to the ranges at Fort Lewis, Wash. It is uttered at award ceremonies, bellowed from formations, and repeated before, during and after training missions. You can hear it shouted by Air Force Security Forces, Pararescue, and Combat Controllers. The word is thundered out by Navy SEALs, and by United States Marines (who pronounce it OohRah!). So, where did the term originate?

Surviving Military Boot Camp

Multi-part feature article about making it through military basic training.

U.S. Military 101

The basics of the United States Military, including the mission of the five military branches, organizational chain of command, and an overview of military ranks.

U.S. Military Rank Insignia Charts

Rank insignia charts for the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as general information about military rank/rate and military rank history.