The U.S. Army remains the largest branch of the American military, with 449,344 active duty personnel in 2023. While the Army leads in numbers, the newly established Space Force had just 8,879 active duty members, highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare and the increasing importance of space-based capabilities. Confidence in military remains high Despite fluctuations in force size, public trust in the U.S. military remains strong. In 2024, 61 percent of Americans expressed a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the armed forces, a slight increase from the previous year. While a slightly higher share of Republicans have shown more confidence in the military, trust in the institution remains high across party lines. Global commitments The United States continues to invest heavily in its military capabilities, with defense spending reaching 916.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. This substantial budget supports not only domestic defense needs but also enables the U.S. to respond to global crises, as evidenced by the over 40 billion euros in military aid provided to Ukraine following Russia's invasion. The high level of spending, which translates to about 2,220 U.S. dollars per capita.

The graph illustrates the number of personnel in each branch of the U.S. Military for the year 2025. The x-axis lists the military branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The y-axis represents the number of personnel, ranging from 41,689 to 452,823. Among the branches, the Army has the highest number of personnel with 452,823, followed by the Navy with 337,209 and the Air Force with 321,211. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard have 170,201 and 41,689 personnel, respectively. The data is displayed in a bar graph format, effectively highlighting the distribution of military personnel across the different branches.

This graph shows the total number of active duty U.S. military personnel by service branch as of 2010. At this time there were 323,139 military personnel in the Navy and 329,640 personnel in the Air Force.

There were 449,344 active duty U.S. Army members in 2023. This amount represents a slight decrease in comparison to the number recorded in the previous year. Overall, there were 1.27 million active duty U.S. Department of Defense members, including officers and enlisted personnel in 2023.

In the fiscal year of 2025, the United States Air Force is estimated to have 1,295 fighters at their disposal. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force look to have 223 tankers and 114 bombers at their disposal.

In 2024, 61 percent of survey respondents in the United States said they had either a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the military. This is a slight increase from the previous year, when 640percent of respondents had confidence in the U.S. military. Additionally, this is an increase of six points from 1975 levels, when only 58 percent of Americans had confidence in the military.

As of January 1, 2024 the basic monthly pay for a U.S. Army General or Navy Admiral who had served for a total of 20 years was 18,492 U.S. dollars. In the same year, a Lieutenant General or Vice Admiral who had been serving for the same amount of time received a basic monthly pay of 18,096 U.S. dollars.

In 2023, the vast majority of active duty U.S. Armed Forces personnel did not have a college degree. In that year, there were 822,729 United States Armed Forces personnel who had at least earned a high school diploma but did not have a Bachelor's degree.

In 2023, around 63 percent of survey respondents considered the U.S. to be the number one military power in the world, which was a significant increase compared to 2022. 34 percent of respondents in the same year said that the U.S. is one of several military powers in the world.

In the fiscal year of 2019, 21.39 percent of active-duty enlisted women were of Hispanic origin. The total number of active duty military personnel in 2019 amounted to 1.3 million people.

Ethnicities in the United States The United States is known around the world for the diversity of its population. The Census recognizes six different racial and ethnic categories: White American, Native American and Alaska Native, Asian American, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. People of Hispanic or Latino origin are classified as a racially diverse ethnicity.

The largest part of the population, about 61.3 percent, is composed of White Americans. The largest minority in the country are Hispanics with a share of 17.8 percent of the population, followed by Black or African Americans with 13.3 percent. Life in the U.S. and ethnicity However, life in the United States seems to be rather different depending on the race or ethnicity that you belong to. For instance: In 2019, native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders had the highest birth rate of 58 per 1,000 women, while the birth rae of white alone, non Hispanic women was 49 children per 1,000 women.

The Black population living in the United States has the highest poverty rate with of all Census races and ethnicities in the United States. About 19.5 percent of the Black population was living with an income lower than the 2020 poverty threshold. The Asian population has the smallest poverty rate in the United States, with about 8.1 percent living in poverty.

The median annual family income in the United States in 2020 earned by Black families was about 57,476 U.S. dollars, while the average family income earned by the Asian population was about 109,448 U.S. dollars. This is more than 25,000 U.S. dollars higher than the U.S. average family income, which was 84,008 U.S. dollars.

This dataset displays the number of active duty personnel and their location, by country. Included in these figures are the numbers for Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force branches of the United States Military. Note: this data includes rounded figures for personnel involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). This data was collected from the department of Defense directly at: http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/MILITARY/history/hst0706.pdf .

In 2023, around 21.3 percent of active duty officers in the United States Navy were women. Additionally, approximately 19.4 percent of officers in the Space Force were women.

As of March 2021, 11 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq in 2020. This is a decrease from a peak of 904 casualties in 2007.

Additional information on fatalities in the Iraq War

The invasion of Iraq by the United States and coalition forces in March 2003 saw the beginning of the Iraq War, a conflict that would continue beyond the end of the decade. Fatalities of American forces were highest in the first five years of conflict as soldiers grappled with the Al Qaeda as well as civil war between those groups seeking to fill the power vacuum left by the removal of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Casualties progressively decreased from 2008, in part due to attempts by Barack Obama who made the removal of troops from Iraq a central promise of this successful campaign to succeed George W. Bush. In 2013, the majority of Americans considered sending troops to fight in Iraq to be a mistake.

While the number of civilian deaths in the Iraq War was much higher, the trend of numbers decreasing from 2008 onward was in line with the trend for American solider losses. However, civilian deaths rose again from 2013 onward as Iraq returned to heavy conflict with Islamic State.

The high number of American fatalities in the first five years of the Iraq War could be seen as influencing the reluctance of the United States to commit ground troop support in the battle against Islamic State when the issue was discussed in 2015. Not only is the loss of life a tragedy in itself, but the political discourse in the United States surrounding the involvement of their troops in Middle Eastern conflicts has made further involvement unattractive to elected officials. However calls for further ground support are likely to continue as Iraq remained in the top five countries with the most terrorist attacks as of 2019.

Other research has shown (1) that civilians and the military differ in their views about when and how to use military force; (2) that the opinions of veterans track more closely with military officers than with civilians who never served in the military; and (3) that U.S. civil–military relations shaped Cold War policy debates. We assess whether this opinion gap “matters” for the actual conduct of American foreign policy. We examine the impact of the presence of veterans in the U.S. political elite on the propensity to initiate and escalate militarized interstate disputes between 1816 and 1992. As the percentage of veterans serving in the executive branch and the legislature increases, the probability that the United States will initiate militarized disputes declines. Once a dispute has been initiated, however, the higher the proportion of veterans, the greater the level of force the United States will use in the dispute.

In April 2024, 13.1% of people in non-officer roles in the armed forces were from ethnic minorities, compared with 7.9% in April 2012.

This dataset includes over 200 US military cemeteries, compiled using information from the National Cemetery Administration, National Park Service, American Battlefield Commission, US Army, state veterans departments, and others. For the majority of cemeteries, within the description field, you will find a link to the cemetery's web page along with the physical address. This data was found online at http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/132750/an/0/page/0#132750.

Data contains the number of US military enlisted members in each military occupation code (by 2-4 characters, depending on service branch) by home state, by month, from 2001-2010. Information was obtained through FOIA request 15-F-0425 and approved for public release without excision. NOTE: The "15F0425_Doc_01_DRS85998" file was the first attempted completion of this FOIA request. Based on some very low numbers, I concluded the data was not accurate, and requested that the FOIA be reopened. The 10 yearly files were the updated result (March 2016).

Military Uniform Market Outlook

In 2023, the global military uniform market size was valued at approximately $12.5 billion and is expected to reach $20.3 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%. The market is primarily driven by the increasing defense budgets of various countries, advancements in fabric technology, and the rising necessity for durable and comfortable uniforms to meet the specific requirements of military personnel.

One of the significant growth factors in the military uniform market is the continuous upgrade and modernization of defense forces worldwide. Governments are increasingly investing in high-quality and technologically advanced uniforms that provide better protection, comfort, and functionality. This is especially crucial with the evolving nature of warfare that demands uniforms capable of withstanding extreme conditions and providing enhanced mobility and safety. Additionally, the replacement cycle of uniforms due to wear and tear and the induction of new recruits also contribute to the market's growth.

Another vital factor propelling the market is the heightened focus on soldier safety. Modern military uniforms are designed to incorporate advanced materials and technologies like flame resistance, water repellency, and ballistic protection. These uniforms are essential to ensuring that soldiers remain protected in various combat situations. The integration of smart textiles and wearable technologies also offers new growth prospects, as uniforms equipped with sensors and communication devices become more common, enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency.

The growing trend towards customization and personalization of uniforms to meet the specific needs of different military branches is also driving the market. Each branch of the military—be it the army, navy, or air force—has unique requirements in terms of uniform functionality and design. This necessitates a diverse range of military uniforms that cater to the specific operational and environmental conditions faced by different military units. This customization trend is expected to further fuel market growth over the forecast period.

Military Hats have become an integral component of the overall military uniform ensemble, serving both functional and symbolic purposes. These hats are designed to provide protection against environmental elements while also signifying rank and branch of service. Over the years, military hats have evolved in design and material, incorporating features such as moisture-wicking fabrics and adjustable fittings to enhance comfort and usability. The demand for military hats is driven by their essential role in maintaining uniformity and discipline within the armed forces. As military uniforms continue to adapt to modern needs, the development of military hats that offer both practicality and tradition remains a key focus for manufacturers.

From a regional outlook, North America holds a significant share of the global military uniform market due to its substantial defense budget and the presence of key market players. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by increasing defense spending in countries like China and India. Additionally, the growing focus on enhancing military capabilities and the rising number of military personnel are contributing to the market's expansion in this region.

Type Analysis

The military uniform market can be segmented by type into combat uniforms, service uniforms, dress uniforms, and physical training uniforms. Combat uniforms are designed to provide maximum functionality and protection in combat situations. They are typically made from durable and breathable materials that offer resistance to fire, water, and abrasions. These uniforms often incorporate camouflage patterns to provide concealment in various terrains, which is crucial for soldier safety during combat operations. The continuous research and innovation in combat uniform fabrics and designs are expected to drive the demand for this segment.

Service uniforms, on the other hand, are worn during non-combat activities and official duties. These uniforms focus more on formality and appearance while maintaining a certain level of functionality and comfort. The demand for service uniforms is driven by the need for professional appearance during official functions, ceremonies, and daily duties. With increasing global defense activities

The Military Service Personnel Photograph Collection Index, (circa 1938-1953) was created by Connecticut State Library staff to highlight and better utilize these unique archival photographs and honor those who served in the military.  Great effort was made to identify the individuals depicted using information provided with the photograph. Please keep in mind however that names, geographic locations, or other information may be misspelled or in error as a result. Branch of service, rank, military unit, residence, and other notations were included in the index to assist the researcher or family member to determine if there is an image for a specific individual. Please be aware that prior to 1947 the United Sates Air Force was a branch of the United States Army and as a result, images may be listed as Army Air Corps. Please keep in mind that names and locations may be misspelled as a result.   You may conduct a search in any of the columns, or any combination of columns to limit your search.  If a name of an individual of interest is found in the below Connecticut Military Service Personnel Photograph Collection Index, and a reproduction of the original record is desired, you may submit a request via E-mail or by contacting the History & Genealogy Unit of the Connecticut State Library at (860) 757-6580.  Reproduction formats and fees available, are as follows: Photocopy: black & white copy, 8 1/2 X 11″ or 11 X 14″ sized paper, 25 cents; 11 X 17″, 50 cents per photocopied page, plus a $3.00 handling fee and first-class postage charges. Photocopy: color copy 8 1/2 X 11″ or 11 X 14″ sized paper, $1.00 per photocopied page, 11 X 17″, $1.25 per photocopied page plus a $3.00 handling fee and first-class postage charges. Digital images (low or high resolution): PDF, JEG, TIFF, or DNG images, 25 cents per image, plus a $3.00 handling fee.  Digital file may be delivered via internet for no additional cost. Pre-payment is not needed as a bill will accompany the finished product, either in the mail with photocopies or with the digital images. Please include the military service person’s name and the box number location in requesting a copy of the image.

This statistic shows the share of women and men in the U.S. Military in 2010 by branch. In 2010, 37 percent of all active-duty enlisted women were part of the Army. The total number of military personnel in the U.S. Army can be found here.