35 Facts About Military

The Backbone of National Defense

The military is a cornerstone of national security and plays a vital role in protecting the country. Here are some intriguing facts about its structure and operations.

1. The Department of Defense is the Largest Employer
   The United States Department of Defense (DoD) employs over 3 million people, making it the largest employer in the country. This includes active-duty personnel, reserve and guard forces, and veterans and retirees.

2. Branches of the Military
   The U.S. military consists of five branches: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. Each branch has its unique roles and responsibilities.

3. Active Duty vs. Reserve
   Military personnel are categorized into active duty (full-time), reserve and guard forces (part-time but can be called to full-time), and veterans and retirees (former members).

4. Command Structure
   The President of the United States serves as the Commander in Chief, making all final decisions regarding the Armed Forces. The Secretary of Defense oversees the military, except for the Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

Innovations and Technology

The military is at the forefront of technological advancements, often leading to innovations that impact civilian life.

5. DARPA Innovations
   The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a brain-implantable chip to connect soldiers directly to computers, enhancing their hearing and vision. DARPA also invented GPS, speech translation, and the Internet.

6. Supercomputing with PlayStation 3
   In 2010, the U.S. government used 1,700 PlayStation 3 consoles to build a supercomputer for the DoD. This method was more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional computing methods.

7. Fuel Consumption
   The U.S. Army uses nearly 1 billion gallons of fuel annually. Each soldier requires an average of 22 gallons of fuel per day, compared to just 1 gallon per day during World War II.

Honoring Service and Sacrifice

Recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of military personnel is crucial. Here are some ways the nation honors its service members.

8. Veterans Day
   Veterans Day, observed on November 11, honors America's veterans for their service. The date marks the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day.

9. Deployments
   The U.S. Armed Forces have been deployed abroad over 300 times for purposes other than normal peacetime activities, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

10. Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is the final resting place for over 400,000 U.S. active-duty veterans. It also houses 'The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,' which holds unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

11. The Old Guard
    The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as 'The Old Guard,' is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the army. Established in 1784, it serves as an official ceremonial unit and escort to the President, and conducts the 'Changing of the Guard Ceremony' at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Family and Community

Military life affects not just the service members but also their families and communities.

12. Month of the Military Child
    In 1986, Secretary of Defense Casper W. Weinberger declared April as 'The Month of the Military Child' to honor military families and their children, who often endure frequent moves and extended separations from family members.

13. Military Working Dogs
    The U.S. Military currently deploys 2,700 Military Working Dogs, which play crucial roles in various operations, from detecting explosives to providing companionship.

Historical Context

Understanding the military's past helps us appreciate its present and future. Here are some key historical facts.

14. Civil War Facts
    The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was a defining event in U.S. history with 10,000 battles and engagements across the continent.

15. Civil War Beginnings
    The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces fired on Union troops at Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

16. Civil War End
    The war ended on April 9, 1865, when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia.

17. Causes of the Civil War
    The Civil War was caused by a combination of factors, including disagreements over slavery, states' rights, and economic and cultural differences between the North and South.

18. Election of 1860
    The Election of 1860 led to the secession of several Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America. Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, won the election but received no votes in the Southern states.

19. Secession
    Secession was not legal according to the U.S. Constitution, but several Southern states declared their independence and formed the Confederate States of America.

20. Confederate States
    The Confederate States included 11 Southern states: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

21. Union States
    The Union States included 23 Northern states and four border states that remained in the Union: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia.

22. Border States
    The Border States were states that bordered the Confederacy and had strong economic and cultural ties to both the North and South. These states included Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia.

23. Civil War Battles
    Over 10,000 battles and engagements were fought during the Civil War, with some of the bloodiest battles including Gettysburg, Antietam, and Chancellorsville.

24. Civil War Artillery
    Civil War artillery ranged from smoothbore cannons, which had a range of around three-quarters of a mile, to rifled cannons, which had a range of one and a half miles or about double that of smoothbore cannons.

25. Civil War Photography
    Photography was a new art form during the Civil War. Despite the challenges, a few photographs of Civil War combat exist, including images of artillery bombardments, gunboat broadsides, and battle smoke at Nashville and Fredericksburg.

26. Civil War Casualties
    The Civil War resulted in the deaths of an estimated 620,000 to 750,000 soldiers and civilians. The average soldier's age was 25.8 years old, with many old men and young boys being pressed into service by the end of the war.

27. Civil War Medicine
    Medicine during the Civil War was relatively advanced for its time. However, medical care was often inadequate, and many soldiers died from infections and other preventable causes. The use of anesthesia and surgical techniques improved significantly during the war.

28. Civil War Reconstruction
    Reconstruction was the period following the Civil War during which the South was rebuilt and attempts were made to ensure the rights of African Americans. However, this period was marked by significant challenges and violence, including the rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

Modern Military Marvels

Today's military continues to push the boundaries of technology and strategy. Here are some modern marvels.

29. F-35 Fighter Jet
    The F-35 fighter jet is one of the most advanced military aircraft in the world. It is designed to be invisible to enemies due to its ability to absorb or deflect radar energy. The F-35 is also equipped with an advanced jamming system that tricks or suppresses hostile radars, both in the air and on the ground. It can clear the skies of opposing aircraft in its fighter role and precisely destroy targets on the ground or at sea with various smart bombs and missiles.

30. F-35 Versatility
    The F-35 serves multiple roles, including as a strike aircraft, intelligence collector, and escort for less survivable aircraft. Its vertical-takeoff-and-landing variant can land anywhere Marines need it, while its Air Force version can carry nuclear weapons for regional deterrence.

31. F-35 Cost Reduction
    The cost of each F-35 has fallen steadily with each new production lot. The price tag for the Air Force variant in the latest lot is similar to that for the F-16, which it will replace, despite being much more capable. The cost per flight hour for each plane has also fallen 40% since 2015, with further savings expected as maintenance procedures are refined.

32. F-35 International Adoption
    Many U.S. allies have committed to the F-35 program, including Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. These countries favor the F-35 for its price and performance, as well as its interoperability with other friendly air forces.

33. Domestic Economic Impact
    The F-35 program has a significant domestic economic impact. The airframe is integrated in Texas, the engines are made in Connecticut, and the jamming system is manufactured in New Hampshire. Altogether, there are 1,800 U.S.-based suppliers to the program, sustaining over a quarter-million jobs. The annual economic impact of the program in the U.S. is estimated at $49 billion.

Fun and Lesser-Known Facts

Even the military has its share of intriguing trivia and lesser-known facts.

34. Military Trivia
    The term "foo fighters" originated during World War II when American and British aircraft pilots reported bright lights that would change direction and speed away faster than any aircraft possibly could. No one was able to determine who piloted these crafts or what they were, and they were given the nickname "foo fighters".

35. Veteran Employment
    Veterans are more likely to be in STEM fields than non-veterans, with 8% of veterans employed in STEM compared to 6% of non-veterans. California is home to 10% of all veterans in the STEM workforce, and women make up 11% of all veterans and 13% of veterans in the workforce.

The Military's Impact and Evolution

The U.S. military has a rich history and continues to evolve. From DARPA's cutting-edge tech to the F-35 fighter jet's versatility, the military adapts to new challenges. Veterans Day honors those who served, while Arlington National Cemetery stands as a solemn reminder of sacrifices made. The Civil War shaped the nation, highlighting issues like slavery and states' rights. Modern innovations, like using PlayStation 3s for supercomputing, show the military's ingenuity. Military Working Dogs and the Old Guard add unique facets to its operations. The F-35's international adoption and economic impact underscore its significance. With over 3 million employees, the Department of Defense remains the largest U.S. employer. Understanding these facts helps appreciate the military's role in shaping history and society.