Hey guys, so I've been seriously considering joining the military after high school, but I'm still trying to grasp the basics. Can anyone help explain to me what's meant by 'basic branch' in military terms? I'm really new to all of this, so any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
The term 'basic branch' in the military context refers to the primary, functional branches in the armed forces. Each of these has unique skills, roles, and responsibilities. In the United States, the basic branches would refer to the six branches of the military:
1. Army: The Army is the land-based branch, responsible for land warfare. It's the oldest and the largest branch of the U.S. military.
2. Navy: The Navy is responsible for naval warfare. They utilize ships, submarines, and aircraft to project force, maintain sea lanes, and support other branches.
3. Air Force: The Air Force focuses on aerial warfare, defending the United States from air threats, and supporting ground troops with air support.
4. Marines: The Marine Corps operates closely with the U.S. Navy, providing force projection from the sea, utilizing the mobility of the Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces.
5. Coast Guard: The Coast Guard handles maritime law enforcement, maritime emergency response, and security of America's coasts and waterways.
6. Space Force: The newest branch, started in 2019, is tasked with responsibilities in space, including monitoring ballistic missile launches and tracking space debris.
Each branch's unique duties and responsibilities are designed to work cohesively towards the overall defense and security goals of the country.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.