Hey guys, a bit stressed out here. I've been thinking about lots of stuff, and joining the military instead of going to college is one of them. But while researching, I came across some posts mentioning a '7th branch' of the military. Is this an actual thing? What does it entail? I'm confused.
Absolutely, it can be quite an overload when you're making such big decisions about your future. However, as of now, there are six branches in the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the recently established Space Force. The so-called '7th branch' could be a reference to the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps or NOAA Corps (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), which are technically uniformed services but do not have combat roles, so they are not traditionally considered military branches.
To give you an idea, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps each focus on their respective areas (land, sea, air, and amphibious warfare). The Coast Guard is responsible for waterway security, law enforcement, and search-and-rescue operations. The Space Force, established in 2019, manages military operations in outer space.
As for the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps, they're somewhat specialized. The Public Health Service focuses on public health and medical support, and the NOAA Corps is responsible for scientific research and monitoring, primarily related to the ocean and atmosphere.
These branches offer various opportunities to serve your country, so you might want to examine what each has to offer and see whether any align with your preferences, skills, and career goals. Good luck with your decision-making process!
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