The United States military has six major branches you can choose to join, which may not seem like a lot of choices, but can be hard to choose from once you start diving in and doing your research. Before you commit to a single branch, it’s important to understand the differences between these branches and how to make the best choice for you.

Below, we’ll talk in detail about the different branches, important distinctions when starting your career, and factors that may influence your decision as you start thinking about hitting the recruiting offices.

What Are the Different Branches of the U.S. Military?

Currently, the U.S. Military has six different branches, all led by the President and Commander in Chief. The Department of Defense is responsible for leading all branches of the military except for the Coast Guard, which is directed by the Department of Homeland Security. More than two million military and civilian employees work under the DoD, each split among the different branches.

Take a look at each of the branches and their unique operations to better understand how they work and their role in the defense of the United States of America..

Army

The United States Army is the largest military branch and is responsible for handling most ground combat missions. The Army is also responsible for guarding many U.S. military installations throughout the world and has historically been significantly involved in many notable operations, including those such as Operation Overlord during World War II. Service members in the Army are referred to as soldiers.

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps is also known as the rapid-reaction force and provides land, air, and sea operational support to other branches during missions. The Marines are also responsible for protecting the United States embassies in different parts of the world. Like the Army, the Marine Corps has also been involved in many notable operations throughout history, and their members are referred to as Marines.

Navy

The Navy plays a critical role in protecting waterways outside the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction while also providing runways for military aircraft out at sea. Sailors are taught how to navigate and battle out at sea, which is a difficult task that requires dedication and commitment from new recruits. While most Navy operations occur by sea, some are also by land and air.

Air Force

The Air Force primarily focuses on aerial warfare and support, as the name implies. They perform and assist with aerial operations, building landing stripes, and defending United States military air bases. The Air Force is also responsible for training pilots, flying aircraft, and flying satellites. Members of the Air Force are referred to as Airmen.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is responsible for protecting our domestic waterways and corresponding search and rescue operations. The Coast Guard is also responsible for stopping illegal activity on our waterways, such as drug smuggling and other activities that break maritime law. Members of the Coast Guard are referred to as Coastguardsmen.

Space Force

The most recent addition to the United States military, the Space Force aims to provide protection in space and space capabilites to the other branches of the United States military. Unlike the other branches, the Space Force does not have a reserve component, mainly due to being such a new addition to the U.S. military. This branch is still focusing on organizing its structure and developing AI technology to train and test new recruits. Members of the Space Force are referred to as Guardians.

Reserves

Apart from the Space Force, all branches of the U.S. military have a Reserve component. Members of the Reserves undergo the same basic training as active-duty service members but don’t serve in the same capacity. Instead, they’ll complete minimum duty requirements and transition to active duty if needed, usually in times of war.

Enlistment Requirements for the Different Branches

When choosing between the different branches, it’s important to understand the responsibilities and requirements of each branch so you know what to expect and how to prepare. The enlistment requirements for each branch are as follows:

Army Requirements

To join the Army, you must be between 17 and 35 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also need to be a U.S. citizen or have a valid Green Card. The Army also requires new recruits to score a minimum of 31 on the ASVAB, though you can retake the test if you don’t score high enough the first time.

Once you’ve passed the ASVAB and made it through Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), you’ll need to go to basic training, which lasts 10 weeks. You may be able to find a sign-on bonus for joining the Army, especially if you qualify for a MOS that’s in need.

After you finish basic training, you may need to go through Advanced Invidiaul Training (AIT), which is a lot like trade school for specific occupations in the Army. You’ll learn the skills you need for your specific job, and the time you’re there will vary based on your MOS.

Marine Corps Requirements

The Marines require you to be between 17 and 28 and you must have a high school diploma at minimum. You must also be a legal U.S. resident to start the enlistment process, and you’ll need an ASVAB score of at least 31. Basic training in the Marines takes about 13 weeks, and you may be able to find a sign-on bonus like you would in the Army.

Once you finish basic training, you will go to the School of Infantry (SOI), where you will finish up your training before starting your career.

Navy Requirements

If you want to enlist in the Navy, you will need to be between 17 and 41 years old and a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident. You will need a high school diploma, a GED equivalent, or a four-year degree. As far as the ASVAB, you will need a minimum score of 31, though a 26 will be accepted in some specific cases.

Basic training varies for the Navy, and you could spend anywhere between 7 to 10 weeks at basic training before shipping off to your first duty station. It’s also possible to get a sign-on bonus, depending on your skills and qualifications for a specific MOS.

Depending on your occupation, you may leave basic training to attend A School, where you will receive more training for your job in the Navy.

Air Force Requirements

If you’re interested in the Air Force, you must be between 17 and 42 and a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident with a valid Green Card. To be an Airmen, you will need a high school diploma or GED before you can enlist. Like the other branches mentioned above, you will need a minimum score of 31 on the ASVAB to qualify.

Once you’ve met the criteria for the Air Force and have finished the onboarding process, you will be shipped off to basic training for somewhere between 7 and a half to 8 and a half weeks. Some sign-on bonuses may also be available if you have the qualifying skills for what the Air Force is looking for at the time.

After basic training, you may attend tech school if you need additional training for your career. You’ll learn the technical skills necessary to be successful in your role, and the time you’re there will vary based on the job you’ve selected.

Coast Guard Requirements

You can join the Coast Guard if you are between 17 and 42, have a high school diploma or GED, and are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. You will need an ASVAB score of at least 36 to qualify for enlistment in the Coast Guard.

If you choose the Coast Guard and make it through onboarding, you will be sent off to basic training for 8 weeks.

Space Force Requirements

To join the Space Force, you must be between 17 and 42 and have a high school diploma or a GED with 15 college credits. You must also be a U.S. citizen or have a Green Card. The ASVAB score you need will depend on the job you want, though many Space Force jobs require scores in the 60s.

If you meet the criteria to join the Space Force and can enlist, you will be sent for an intensive 8-week basic training course. Once you finish this training, you will transition to one of the different detachments within the U.S., which is where you’ll train to perform the specific role of your occupation.

Do the Benefits Vary Between Branches?

If you’re thinking about joining the military, you may be wondering what branch has the best benefits since this is an important consideration when starting off any career. However, many of the benefits are the same across the branches, such as pay based on rank, health care, and other benefits.

While many of the benefits may be the same, there are some slight differences that may influence your decision. For example, the Air Force generally offers more opportunities for promotion, which means you could see higher pay sooner than you would if you enlisted with another branch. If you’re someone who is prioritizing sign-on bonuses, the Air Force and Army usually have the biggest offers.

When you’re making your decision, carefully consider the benefits of each branch, no matter how small they might be. While it’s possible to switch branches once you’ve enlisted, it’s not very common and isn’t easy, so you’ll want to try to make the right decision the first time.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Branch of the Military

Deciding which branch you want to join is a big decision since it will define your military career until the end of your contract of retirement. While there are plenty of factors you should consider before choosing a branch, some of the most important include:

1. Personal Career Goals

One of the most important factors to consider when you’re choosing a branch in the military is your personal career goals. You can make a list of jobs you’d like to do and see which branches offer careers in areas of interest.

During the first six to twelve months of your military career, you’ll be focusing mostly on training, and the rest of your contract will be spent on your career. This means you’ll want to choose a career you’re interested in, especially if you don’t plan on retiring from the military. The experience you gain during your contract period should be transferable to a job you’re interested in in the civilian world, so take some time to consider what you want before settling on a specific branch or occupation.

2. Branch Culture

Each branch has its own culture, which can have a significant impact on your life during your time in the military. The jobs each branch is responsible for also vary widely and will play a part in the overall lifestyle, so it’s important to learn about branch culture before you decide what’s right for you.

You can learn more about branch culture by looking through forums online, talking with a military recruiter, and speaking with active duty and veterans from specific branches. As you gather more information, you’ll be able to determine whether a branch aligns with your lifestyle preferences or not.

3. Work Environment

The work environments vary greatly between the branches, especially when you get involved in jobs specific to each branch. For example, the Air Force has a very professional and tech-focused work environment while the Army is big on travel and warfare operations on the ground. If you’re in the Navy, you may be on a boat for months at a time, which isn’t the most suitable option for everyone while others thrive.

You should consider whether you’re someone who likes to be hands-on right at the center of the action or if you prefer to have a role behind the scenes. When you figure out what you like to do while you’re at work, it will be easier to choose between the different branches.

4. Physical Fitness Level

Since the work environment varies between the branches, that generally means that the physical activity frequency varies as well. While all service members will be required to meet specific physical fitness requirements, some roles in each branch will be more demanding than others.

For example, the many jobs in the Army and Marines almost always require service members to be on their feet or active in some way. If you’re in the Air Force or Space Force, you may be spending more time behind a desk working with computers and other technology.

If you’re someone who enjoys being physically active a lot of the time, you can enlist in a branch with occupations heavily focused on being active. You can also choose less active occupations in some branches if you enjoy working the tech or administrative side of things.

5. Location Preferences

There are many bases in the United States and worldwide, and the branch you enlist in will determine the different places you may end up. If there are specific places you would be interested in going to or locations you don’t want to end up in, you can do your research and figure out where each branch has its duty stations and commonly deploys.

Keep in mind that it’s not guaranteed that you’ll ever end up at one specific base. You may be needed at another base and moved around your entire career without ever making it to the location you had in mind. However, learning about the different possibilities can make it easier to narrow down your choices if you haven’t decided on a branch.

6. Qualifications

While each branch has minimum qualifications, specific jobs in the military will have their own requirements. You can talk with your recruiter about your career goals and what it would take to meet these requirements so you can take the necessary steps to prepare. Knowing what to expect can help you study better for the ASVAB and prepare any other qualifications in advance so you can get the job you want when it comes time to choose and take the next steps for your military career.

Trust Our Gear to Help You in Your Military Career

No matter which branch you choose, Military Luggage Company is here to support you. We offer a wide selection of gear for all branches of the military, and we make it easy to search for branch-specific products through our unique search system. You can also shop by color if you want to match all of your gear or are looking for a specific color for your operations.

You’ll find an impressive selection, which includes assault packs, duffle bags, kit bags, rucksacks, garment bags, and plenty of other products to help you be successful in your military career. You can get started by shopping our entire selection, or you can contact us today with any of your questions.