Making the choice as to which military branch of the service to enlist in is not always an easy decision. There are five major brands within the US military, and they all have unique histories, as well as military careers and opportunities to offer recruits. In some cases, the decision to join one branch or another may have as much to do with a person’s personality as to their goals in life.

Military careers are offered through  the five major branches, comprised of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Most of these military institutions have been a part of American history since the time of the revolutionary war in the 1700s. Each branch is responsible for different functions.

For example, the duty of the Army is to protect and defend the United States, its territories, as well as other countries around the world through its massive use of artillery, ground troops, and tactical weapons.

The Navy is assigned to maintain and monitor as well as ensure freedom on the open seas throughout the world, and use naval ships, including airfare aircraft carriers to submarines to ensure that American territorial waters are safe and secure. The Navy also transports land-based personnel such as Marine Corps personnel to various locations around the world.

The Air Force is charged with the support of defending the United States from the air as well as outer space. Since World War I, the importance and impact of aerial combat and warfare has developed to the degree that in many cases, they may substitute for massive ground forces and offer long-range combat strategy.

Because the Marine Corps is one of the oldest military services known within the United States, it also carries with it a history filled with tradition, loyalty, and tales of courage and bravery. The Marine Corps are unique in all military services due to their rapid ability to deploy through the use of their own air power, as well as the Navy to transport them anywhere that they are needed in a very brief period of time.

The United States Coast Guard was designed to not only enforce support along the coast lines of the American continent, but to take part in rescue services and missions during times of peace and war.

While there is friendly competition between all military careers, these forces often join together to serve a common cause in defending the territory and citizens of the United States from assault from land, sea, and air.

Learn more about serving in the Military