What is some trivia about the military?

1) The United States has had an army for a year longer than it has been a country. 2) The Air Force was part of the Army until 1946, 3) the Army employs over 1 million personnel, 4) the Army dumped 64 million pounds of nerve and mustard agents into the ocean

Who is considerd to be the father of the military?

A Prussian officer officer named Baron Friedrich von Steuben was brought to be the Army Inspector General. At the time he was hired, he was fleeing France, where the French clergy was demanding he receive punishment for being homosexual.

How many dogs are there in the military?

There are currently about 500 Military Working Dogs, or MWDs in the Army.

How many U.S. presidents have served in the military?

29 presidents have served in the American military in some capacity.

Which branch of the military is the oldest?

The United States Army is the oldest branch of the U.S. military. The Continental Congress established it on June 14, 1775. The Marines and the Navy were formed later that same year. The Coast Guard was formed in 1915, and the Air force was established in 1947.

How many branches are there in the military? What are they?

There are 5 branches of the military. They are 1) Army, 2) Air Force, 3) Navy, 4) Marine Corps, and 5) The Coast Guard.

26 Interesting U.S. Military Facts

By Tayja Kuligowski, Junior Writer

Published October 15, 2017Updated April 23, 2025

Each year, about 79,000 people join the US Military. If the US Army were a city, it would be the 10th largest in the U.S., having more people than popular cities such as San Francisco, California; Jacksonville, Florida; and Austin, Texas._[1]
The United States Military is made up of five armed service branches- the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. Employees of the Military are categorized as active duty (full time), reserve and guard forces (maintain civilian jobs but can be called to full time if needed), and veterans and retirees (past members)._[7]
The President of the United States of America serves as the Commander in Chief of the US Military, making all final decisions regarding the Armed Forces. The head of the Department of Defense is the Secretary of Defense, who has control over the military and each branch except the Coast Guard, which is controlled by the Department of Homeland Security._[7]
Veteran's Day, recognized every November 11, honors America's Veterans for their service to their country. The day was chosen to recognize Armistice Day, or the end of World War I, which occurred on the 11th month on the 11th day at the 11th hour._[3]

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.

- Douglas MacArthur

The US Military employs the use of several different robots for combat situations, such as for scoping for traps, carrying heavy gear, searching for survivors, underwater diving, carrying victims to safety, and combat with enemies. Drones are a very popular device currently used by the military, which are remotely controlled aircraft that carry high-grade cameras, bombs, or missiles._[9]
The US Military's nuclear arsenal has been reduced by 84% since the Cold War. Currently, the arsenal still holds 2,150 deployed nuclear warheads and thousands more in reserve storage._[5]
During the start of the Civil War in 1861, John Lincoln Clem attempted to enlist in the Union Army at the age of 9. After being rejected once, Clem succeeded in joining the 22nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry, who sawed down his musket to make it more kid-friendly. Clem was promoted to sergeant and became a national hero before his discharge in 1864 at the age of 12. He rejoined the US Military in 1871 and went on to become a major general before his final retirement in 1915._[8]
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, is the final resting place for more than 400,000 US active duty veterans. It is also home to "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," which holds the remains of unidentified US Military soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The Vietnam War tomb has been empty since 1998 when DNA testing identified the unknown remains as Air Force 1st Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie._[11]
The 3rd US Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard," is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the army. Began in 1784, the infantry is an official ceremonial unit and escort to the president of the United States,and is also in charge of the "Changing of the Guard Ceremony" at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier._[2]
In 1986, Secretary of Defense Casper W. Weinberger declared April as "The Month of the Military Child." The month is meant to honor military families and their children in particular, who often have to endure frequent moving and extended separation from family members._[3]
It is estimated that 1 in 3 returning soldiers has or is likely to develop serious mental health and/or psychological issues, such as PTSD or depression. Due to this likelihood, US soldiers also experience higher rates of divorce, suicide, unemployment, and homelessness than other civilians._[6]
Founded in 1994, the program Troops to Teachers helps qualified United States service members transition from a career in the military to teaching careers. The program strives to alleviate high rates of unemployed veterans and teacher shortages._[3]
From 1972 to 1995, the US Military funded paranormal research called "remote viewing" for the Stargate Project. The project gathered psychics to perform parapsychic intelligence and research operations. In 2009, a movie based on a 2004 book about the project was released, entitled The Men Who Stare at Goats._[10]
Fewer than 1% of American families have a family member in active military service, and only 22% of US senators and congressional representatives have served in the military._[5]
Because of the switch to an All-Volunteer Force from a Conscription force in 1973, the number of Americans enlisted has dropped over time. Currently, only 0.5% of the American population is enlisted in the US Military. During World War II, 9% of the population was enlisted, and 2% were enlisted during the Vietnam War._[5]
The switch to an All-Volunteer Force from a draft-driven Conscription force, the average age of US Military personnel has grown. In 1973, the average age of a soldier was 25 years, while the current average age is 27.2 years. Time of enlistment has also changed, from an average time of 69.8 months in 1973 to the current 80.4 months._[5]
Women have served an important role in the US military throughout history, but permanent roles were not established until 1948. Prior to that time, women often serve as nurses, spies, and for cooking and laundry. In some cases during the War of 1812 and American-Mexican War, women disguised as men would take the place of their wounded husband in combat._[5]
In 2013, the Secretary of Defense rescinded all current exclusion policies for women in the US military, potentially opening up all positions to women. The Select Service draft, however, still does not require women to register, with the law stating clearly that "male persons" must register. Currently, women make up 14.5% of the US Military._[5]
The 1948 Women's Armed Services Integration Act established that women could be a part of the US Military, but under certain limitations, such as making up only 2% of the military population, being limited to certain ranks, and begin banned from Navy vessels and serving on aircraft on combat missions._[5]
In 2010, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" act was repealed, helping instigate the open integration of homosexual members into the force._[5]
The US Military has its own, separate justice system, which closely resembles the US Judicial system with some key differences, such as providing standards in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (USMJ) for criminalization of absence, cowardice, and insubordination._[5]
Personnel who serve in the US Military for 20 years or more are eligible to receive a pension of 50% of their base pay during the time of their service. However, 83% of personnel do not serve for 20 years or longer, making them ineligible to receive a pension from the military. Despite low numbers of qualifying personnel, the military still spent $100 billion in retirement funds for fiscal year 2013._[8]
While several offenses are classified in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (USMJ) as qualifying for execution, such as desertion, sleeping on the post, and shameful surrender, no service member has been executed since 1961._[5]
Over half of personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan by the United States since 2003 has been contractors made up of private military and security companies (PMSCs), and the US Military has spent $177 billion or more in contracts and grants for PMSCs since 2001. Services provided by PMSCs include military ops, policy, support for weapons systems and equipment, advice and training, logistical support, site security, crime preventions, police training, and intelligence._[5]
Improved medical supplies, better first aid training and supplies for all personnel, and improved gear have helped to greatly wartime casualties. During official US involvement in the Vietnam War (1965-1973), there were 1,818 deaths per 100,000 soldiers per year, while official US deployment in Iraq (2003-2011) resulted in 355 deaths per 100,000 soldiers per year._[5]
The budget for the Department of Defense was $601 billion in 2015, which is the largest military budget in the world. China has the second largest at $216 billion, and Russia is third at $84.5 billion. The military budget also makes up 16% of the total budget of the United States government making it the largest budget, with Education in second with a budget of $102.3 billion._[4]