Not sure who does what in uniform? You’ll find the US military branches explained here: six branches make up the armed forces, each with its own mission.
This explainer sits within the military and veterans section of the site.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Branches in the armed forces | 6 branches |
| Army established | June 14, 1775 |
| Air Force established | September 18, 1947 |
| Space Force established | December 20, 2019 |
| All-volunteer force since | 1973 |
| Coast Guard’s peacetime department | Department of Homeland Security |
These figures come from USA.gov and USMilitary.com. Official figures and branch structures can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
How many branches does the US military have?
According to USA.gov, six branches make up the armed forces of the United States: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force. USA.gov says each branch carries out its mission on land, water, or in the air, as laid out on its military branches page.
Some guides count the National Guard as a seventh branch. USMilitary.com notes that federal law recognizes six armed forces, and that the Guard is counted as a seventh because it works as a distinct reserve component with unique constitutional status.
You may also see the number five. A Third Way guide published October 31, 2019 lists five service branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, without the Space Force.
The country also has uniformed services that are not armed forces. According to USMilitary.com, there are eight uniformed services in all, and the two extra ones are the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. It describes them as non-combatant services focused on science and health.
What each branch does and when it began
USA.gov gives every branch a core responsibility and a name for its members. The table follows the branch list on its overview page.
| Branch | Responsibilities | Members |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | Execute military operations in the air | Airmen |
| Army | Conduct combat missions on the ground | Soldiers |
| Coast Guard | Enforce laws at sea, secure waterways, lead search and rescue missions | Coastguardsmen |
| Marine Corps | Support other branches in land, sea, and air combat and operations | Marines |
| Navy | Protect waterways, provide runways for aircraft when at sea | Sailors |
| Space Force | Organize, train, and equip members to conduct global space operations | Guardians |
Each branch also has its own birthday. The USMilitary.com branch table gives these establishment dates:
- Army: June 14, 1775
- Navy: October 13, 1775
- Marine Corps: November 10, 1775
- Coast Guard: August 4, 1790
- Air Force: September 18, 1947
- Space Force: December 20, 2019
The Army is the oldest branch, established even before the Declaration of Independence in 1775, according to USMilitary.com. The Space Force, dated December 20, 2019 in that table, is the most recent addition.
Who commands the branches
Civilians sit at the top. The Third Way guide says Article II of the Constitution designates the President as Commander-in-Chief, with authority over all US Armed Forces, while Article I gives Congress exclusive authority to declare war, raise armies, and establish rules for the military. You can read the details in the Third Way guide.
For most branches, USMilitary.com describes the chain of command in three steps:
- The President, as Commander-in-Chief.
- The Secretary of Defense, a civilian cabinet official who reports directly to the President.
- The Unified Combatant Commands, organized by region (like U.S. Central Command) or by function (like U.S. Cyber Command).
The Joint Chiefs of Staff advise but do not command. The Third Way guide says the Service Chiefs advise and plan only and hold no command authority over the deployment of military personnel.
One branch sits in a different department. Per the Third Way guide’s 2019 description, all service branches are housed within the Department of Defense except the Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime. USMilitary.com’s table also lists the Marine Corps under the Navy and the Space Force under the Air Force.
Active duty, Reserve and National Guard
Every branch has an active component of full-time members and a reserve component of part-time members, according to the Third Way guide. Reserve personnel serve a minimum of one weekend a month and two weeks a year, and they can be called to active status to supplement full-time personnel.
The National Guard answers to two masters. USMilitary.com says Guard members report to both their state Governor and the President, and that under Title 32 the Guard responds to state-level emergencies such as hurricanes, wildfires, and civil unrest. Under Title 10, it adds, Guard members can be federalized.
USA.gov also lists special forces units for five of the six branches:
- Army: Green Berets
- Navy: Navy SEALS
- Air Force: Special Warfare
- Marine Corps: Marine Corps Special Operations Command
- Coast Guard: Maritime Security Response Team
The same USA.gov page shows no reserve and no special forces entry for the Space Force as of its August 27, 2025 update.
Where veterans and the VA fit in
Once service ends, a different agency takes over. The Third Way guide says the Department of Veterans Affairs provides medical care, educational opportunities, rehabilitation services and other benefits, and that the VA is separate from the Department of Defense. Details are in the Third Way guide.
If you want to see how the country marks service and sacrifice, start with the difference between memorial day vs veterans day. For the story behind a famous military decoration, read about medal of honor history.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Space Force a real branch?
Show answer
Yes. According to USA.gov, it is listed among the branches of the armed forces, and its members are called Guardians. USMilitary.com dates its establishment to December 20, 2019.
Is the Coast Guard part of the military?
Show answer
Yes, USA.gov counts it among the six branches. In peacetime it sits under the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense, as USMilitary.com lists.
Is the National Guard its own branch?
Show answer
Federal law recognizes six armed forces, according to USMilitary.com. Some guides count the Guard as a seventh because of its dual state and federal role.
Do people still get drafted into the military?
Show answer
USMilitary.com says the country has kept an all-volunteer force since 1973, so every service member chose to be there.
Who is in charge of the armed forces?
Show answer
Civilians do. The President holds the top role as Commander-in-Chief, according to the Third Way guide.
