Service Branches - Today's Military

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• Life in the military
• Ways to Serve
• Joining & Eligibility
• Careers & Benefits
• Education & Training
• For Parents

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Life in the military

• Military Life Overview
• A Day in the Life A Day in the Life
• Finding Fulfillment
• Life On Base
• Relocation & Deployment
• Customs & Practices

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Looking for unmatched personal and professional perks? Look no further than those serving in the Military. They’ve unlocked a level of benefits hard to find anywhere else.

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Ways to Serve

• Ways to Serve Overview
• Service Branches
• Full And Part-Time Options
• Enlisted And Officer Paths
• Bases Around The World

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• Army
• Army Reserve
• Army National Guard

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• Marine Corps
• Marine Corps Reserve

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• Navy
• Navy Reserve

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• Air Force
• Air Force Reserve
• Air National Guard

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• Space Force

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• Coast Guard
• Coast Guard Reserve

TM

Looking for unmatched personal and professional perks? Look no further than those serving in the Military. They’ve unlocked a level of benefits hard to find anywhere else.

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Joining & Eligibility

• Joining & Eligibility Overview
• Eligibility Requirements
• Asvab Test
• Enlisting in the military
• Becoming an officer
• Boot Camp
• Questions to ask a recruiter

TM

Looking for unmatched personal and professional perks? Look no further than those serving in the Military. They’ve unlocked a level of benefits hard to find anywhere else.

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Careers & Benefits

• Careers & Benefits Overview
• Explore Careers
• Journeys Through Service
• Employment Benefits
• Salary and Compensation
• Employment after the military

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Looking for unmatched personal and professional perks? Look no further than those serving in the Military. They’ve unlocked a level of benefits hard to find anywhere else.

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Education & Training

• Joining & Training Overview
• Paying for college
• Military Schools
• ROTC Program
• College Credit
• Advanced Training

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Looking for unmatched personal and professional perks? Look no further than those serving in the Military. They’ve unlocked a level of benefits hard to find anywhere else.

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For Parents

• For Parents Overview
• What to Expect
• Stories from military parents
• Support for parents

TM

Looking for unmatched personal and professional perks? Look no further than those serving in the Military. They’ve unlocked a level of benefits hard to find anywhere else.

Check It Out

Finding Fulfillment

From making an impact in the lives of others to meaningful connections and skills that last a lifetime — discover how young adults find fulfillment in the Military.

• Making an Impact
• Meaningful Connections
• A Balanced Life
• Individual Growth
• Pursuing Dreams & Passions

Life On Base

Learn how military installations are welcoming environments with more comforts than you might expect.

• Housing
• Amenities
• Things to do
• Support & Assistance

Relocation & Deployment

See how a military lifestyle can take you around the world, and what to expect when deployed.

• Duty Stations & Deployment
• Moving & Relocation
• Support for Families
• Staying Connected

Customs & Practices

Explore everyday nuances of military life, like using 24-hour time, saluting etiquette, uniform guidelines and more.

• Chain of Command & Communication
• Uniforms & Grooming
• Common Acronyms & Terms
• Phonetic Alphabet & Military Time
• Health & Fitness Requirements
• Reveille, Retreat & Taps

Ways to Serve

Service Branches

The Military is made up of six branches, each with their own active-duty and part-time components. Each varies in service commitment, location and how its members contribute to the overall mission of protecting our country, though all components are on the same rank-based pay scale.

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• Service Commitment
• Military Service Branches

O'Quanne Wolf | Petty Officer Third Class Coast Guard

Service Commitment

Full Time

Full-time members of the Military typically live on base or in military housing. They can also live on ships or in homes off base.

Part Time

Part-time service members include the Reserve and National Guard, and train one weekend per month and two weeks per year.

Learn more about full and part-time opportunities

Military Service Branches

Army Army

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Army

As the oldest branch of the U.S. Military, the Army protects the security of the United States and its resources.

Part Time

Army Reserve

The Army Reserve trains part time near home until needed, and members deploy alongside the Army.

Army National Guard

Army National Guard members deploy with the Army on a part-time basis. Their service focus is on the state level, but they may also serve nationally.

Marine Corps Marine Corps

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps is often first on the ground in combat situations.

Part Time

Marine Corps Reserve

Marine Corps reservists train domestically and deploy with the rest of the Corps.

Navy Navy

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Navy

The Navy delivers combat-ready Naval forces while maintaining security in the air and at sea.

Part Time

Navy Reserve

The Navy Reserve trains close to home. They serve in the U.S. or abroad in support of the Navy’s mission.

Air Force Air Force

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Air Force

The Air Force protects American interests at home and abroad with a focus on air power.

Part Time

Air Force Reserve

The Air Force Reserve trains and serves on a part-time basis, performing flying and other specialized missions for the Air Force.

Air National Guard

The Air National Guard trains part time to assist, first on the state level, but they may also serve nationally.

Space Force Space Force

Full Time

Full Time

Space Force

The Space Force defends U.S. interests on land, in the air, and from orbit with a range of advanced training and technology.

Coast Guard Coast Guard

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is a maritime force offering military, law enforcement, humanitarian, regulatory and diplomatic capabilities.

Part Time

Coast Guard Reserve

The Coast Guard Reserve typically trains and serves near home, offering the chance to contribute part time and make a difference.

More in Ways to Serve

• Full and Part-Time Options
• Enlisted and Officer Paths
• Bases Around the World