Branches of the U.S. Armed Forces

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.

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

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.

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.

Over 6,800 military words and terms defined.

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...

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.

Reader shares his experience with The Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General.

Reader sends out a Hoorah