The military is an organization that is employed by a group of people, usually a country, to fight their battles for them. This group receives specialized training in different aspects of fighting and soldiering, and are therefore specially equipped for war. These wars or combat situations usually involve protecting the people employing the military, or their ideas, customs or cultures. The United States Armed Forces are an excellent example of a modern, adaptive, and well funded military forces. In fact, the United States Armed Forces employ multiple branches, to receive specialized training and focus. While most of the branches do overlap in their training and abilities, each represents a classic “field of warfare.” The specific branches are as follows: United States Army, United States Coast Guard, United States Air Force, United States Navy, and the United States Marine Corp.
The United States Army is longest standing of the different branches, and was founded, under it’s current name by a ruling body in the year 1784, though elements of this force have been around since 1775. Similarly, the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps can trace their beginning to the year 1775 as well.
The United States Coast Guard can trace its beginnings back to 1790, when the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790. This service was combined with another in the year 1915 to create the United Coast Guard as we know it today. The United States Air Force is by far the youngest of the branches, receiving its name as such in the year 1947. Before this, this branch worked as part of the United States Army.
As far as funding goes, the United States Armed Forces has spent between $200 Billion and $500 Billion since the 1950s. However, the the percentage of the United States gross domestic product has gradually decreased, from 15% in the 1950s, all the way down to under 5% in the 2010s. This drop in percentage is more likely associated with a diversification and increase in the country’s overall gross domestic product.
Clearly the United States Armed Forces represents a well diversified military in today’s world scene. Some critics would argue that the United States has failed to devote enough to its military, and other would argue the opposite. Despite the, the United States Armed Forces continues to be the second largest in the world, as measured by people on active duty. It continues to spend large percentages of its budget on research and development of new weapons and systems.
A military system in general must have the backing of its country, both economically, socially, and morally. Without this, the military will fail. As you can see, a military is essentially and extension of those backing it.