The U.S. Military is made up of 6 branches: The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. As of 2021, there are over 1.5 million active members of the U.S. Military. Members of any one of these branches have committed to serving and protecting their country; to protect millions of Americans that they’ll never meet. This level of compassion and commitment is rare. We invite you to learn more about each branch and how you can support them as we explore each of them in this blog post. 
What is the purpose of each branch of the U.S. Military?
- The Army: The Army is the oldest and largest branch of the military, dating back to 1775. The Army provides the U.S. with ground forces and protection.
- The Marine Corps: The Marine Corps is a component of The Navy, and maintains amphibious and ground units for contingency and combat operations.
- The Navy: The Navy works above and below the water as a forward-deployed force, deterring aggressors around the world.
- Air Force: The Air Force provides a rapid, flexible and lethal air and space capability that can deliver forces anywhere in the world.
- The Space Force: The Space Force is the newest branch of the U.S. military, founded in 2019. The Space Force organizes, trains and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force.
- Coast Guard: The Coast Guard provides law and maritime safety enforcement, marine and environmental protection and military naval support. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime but operates under the Navy during times of war.
All of these 6 branches work in tandem to support and protect our country and its millions of citizens. The U.S. military is one of the largest in the world, with over 1.5 million active duty military personnel and 16.5 million veterans as of 2021. While this is an undeniably large number of members, it is still a very small percentage of the overall population, making these individuals extraordinary for their commitment and bravery.
How can I show my support for the U.S. Military?
- Spend time with military families within your community! Many military families move frequently, making it hard to establish relationships within communities. This can be challenging and lonely, so a warm welcome and invite to a social event can go a long way.
- Write a letter through an organization like Operation Appreciation and Blue Star Families. Sending kind words is a great way to directly show your support.
- Support a business focused on supporting the military, like us! Bulwark Coffee Company donates 100% of its profits to support first responders and veterans!
