The U.S Military or the Armed Forces is one of the largest militaries in the world. It is made up of six branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force. All of the branches put in the effort to protect and defend the country and the people. The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief, who is responsible for terminal decisions. The military and most of its branches are controlled by the Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD). The Coast Guard is controlled by the Department of Homeland Security instead of the Secretary. Although there are similarities within the branches and tasked with the mission of safeguarding the U.S. from threats, each branch has their own function.
US Army (USA): Founded on June 14th, 1775, the Army is the oldest and largest military branch. The Army was crucial to the U.S. gaining their independence because of the soldiers’ bravery during the Revolutionary War. This branch is in charge of protecting the country’s security and resources; it’s also in charge of handling combat missions on the ground, including ongoing operations. Along with domestic stations, the Army has permanent stations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Their reserve units are the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Elite groups, such as the Army Rangers, receive specially designed training for complicated combat situations Today, those serving the Army continue to defend the U.S. and the citizens.
U.S Navy (USN): Known for protecting the U.S by sea, the Navy protects waterways that are outside of the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction. This branch secures and protects oceans, making them safe for travel and trade. Founded on October 13th, 1775, their missions are accomplished mostly on sea, but by air and land as well. This Navy also delivers Naval forces while preserving security in the air and sea. Their warships supply runways for aircrafts to land and take off at sea. In the Navy, there is a famous group that are the special operations force for this branch; this group is the Sea, Air and Land Forces (SEALs). The SEALs go through the most physically challenging military training, so they are able to complete very difficult missions. The reserve unit is the Navy Reserves. Today, the Navy takes care of operations on/under the sea, in the air and on the ground.
U.S Marine Corps (USMC): Known as the world’s fiercest warriors, the Marine Corps guards U.S. embassies and confidential documents around the world. Founded on November 10th, 1775, this branch has a major role as the first and leading force in conflicts. Although part of the Department of the Navy, the Marine Corps stands as a separate branch of the military; however, it wasn’t always part of the Navy. The branch’s reserve unit is the Marine Corps Reserve. Today, Marines are stationed around the world, prepared to deploy when needed.
U.S Air Force: Protecting American interests at home and outside the U.S in the air, the Air Force is in charge of aerial military operations, defending U.S. air bases and building landing strips. Founded in 1947, this branch is the source of the nation’s air and space power. The main mission is to fly planes, helicopters and satellites. Formerly known as the Aeronautical Division, the Air Force was a unit of the Army. Two years after World War II ended, it was founded as a separate military branch. Their reserve units are Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. Today, there are more than 332,000 active service members; they operate with a three-part vision, which empowers an advanced force that focuses on air, space and cyberspace superiority.
U.S Coast Guard: Supplying national security, search and rescue for the country’s waterways, seas and coast, the Coast Guard is in charge of preventing those who violate maritime law. Founded on August 4th, 1790, this branch offers military, law enforcement, humanitarian, regulatory and diplomatic abilities. The mission mainly involves local waterways. The Coast Guard is also responsible for maritime tasks, like carrying out rescue missions in critical conditions. Their reserve unit is the Coast Guard Reserve.
Thomas Principe
Growing up in Queens, Colonel Thomas Principe of the 107th Infantry Brigade entered the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in the Summer of 1970 through St. John’s Law School. Cpl.Principe joined because he felt that everybody had an obligation to do something for the country; he thought that the best place to do that was in the military. He completed basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky after joining the ROTC. On August 4th, 1972, Cpl.Principe was commissioned as a second lieutenant from the St.John ROTC program at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. During the Gulf War, he was assigned to get U.S Troops ready for deployment. In 1996, Cpl.Principe was promoted to Colonel and served for 10 years until he retired. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the highest non-combat award you could receive from the Army. The friendships Cpl.Principe made and treasure today is one thing he will never forget from his service. |
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Nick Guzman
Growing up in Brooklyn, Private First Class Nick Guzman went to military school when he was a teenager. When completing it, he was given the option of going to college or the military; he decided to go into the Army at 17. PFC.Guzman was in one month of basic training when 9/11 happened in 2001. After completing the training, PFC.Guzman was assigned to the 81st Ordnance Battalion. Although his unit was deployed to Afghanistan, he was injured during a night training. His second injury prevented him from being deployed and he was discharged on a medical disability in October 2002. For completing basic training, he received a sharpshooter badge. |
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Dennis Gardner
Born in Missouri in 1956, Chief Petty Officer Dennis Gardner was the first in his family to go into the U.S Navy after joining in 1977. Throughout his career in the Navy, he was a fire control technician, where he launched the weapons. CPO.Gardner later went to the USS Louisville in San Diego and left for Operation: Desert Storm 8 ½ months later. During Desert Storm, his submarine was in the Red Sea and was the first to launch combat weapons since WWII. CPO.Gardner retired in August 1997 after spending 20 years in the Navy. Some of the medals he received include two Navy Commendation Medals and four Navy Achievement Medals. In December 2021, he went to Pearl Harbor with Jack Holder for the 80th anniversary of the attack. |
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Paramedic LaToya
Growing up in the Bronx, Paramedic LaToya was attending Bennett College, where an Army Recruiter came to talk to her and her friends. As a result and out of pure curiosity, she joined the Army. Prior to basic training, she chose to be in the Medical Field. After completing basic training, she went to Fort Sam Houston to start her medical training. Throughout her service, she was deployed to Korea, Germany Fort Jackson, Fort Benning, Fort Hamilton, Texas, Missouri, Michigan, Washington DC and Northern Virginia, where most of her tasks involved working in a hospital or a clinic. Paramedic LaToya retired in September 2015. After meeting World War II veterans and listening to their stories, it allowed her “to see the changes that happened as time went on.” |
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Peter Correa
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Correa was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but he immigrated to the United States at a young age. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S Army, and graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY in 1973. After leaving West Point, he was deployed to Panama. During his deployment, Lt.Col.Correa was an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer before and during the United States Invasion of Panama in 1989, and its post-invasion. During the Cold War, he was deployed to West Germany, where he was the Director of Support of the U.S. Army Russian Institute. When Lt.Col. returned to the U.S, he was the Assistant Dean and Treasurer at West Point. In 1996, Lt.Col.Correa retired from active duty and started teaching as a college/university professor. In 2020, he came to Mercyhurst University as a professor in Intelligent Studies. |
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