The Power of a Grateful Nation to Honor its Fallen Warriors Military Branches Can you name all five Army, Navy, Air Fofrcthee, MUanritiendeSCtoatrepssA, armndedCFooarscteGs?uaTrhd e correct response is the . AIR MARINE COAST ARMY NAVY FORCE CORPS GUARD

The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief and responsible for all military final decisions. The Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) has control over the military and each branch – except the Coast Guard, which is under the Department of Homeland Security. With more than two million civilian and military employees, the DoD is the world’s largest “company.” Compiled from various civilian and military websites – what follows is a brief look at the history, responsibilities, core values, and mottos of America’s military might:

U.S. Army The United States Army is the oldest service branch of the military. It was formed in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress with the task of protecting freedom of the . Up until 1947, the Army remained under the control of the War Department, after which it came under control of the Department of Defense. The Army is the largest of the service branches and charged with the task of protect - ing America’s freedom both at home and abroad, ensuring the safety of our homeland, and defending democracy all over the world. It also has the responsibility of providing support to other services to help them complete their missions and support civil au - thorities in times of emergency. The Army’s official purpose is to preserve the peace and se - curity and provide the defense of the United States, the Commonwealths and possessions, installations occupied by the United States, support national policies, implement national ob - jectives, and overcome any nation’s responsible aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States.

This We’ll Defend.

American Fallen Warrior Memorial and Museum in Kansas City • Contact info @afwmf.org The Power of a Grateful Nation to Honor its Fallen Warriors

U.S. Navy The serves as the naval warfare and seaborne branch of the military. It possesses the world’s largest carrier fleet - larger in terms of fleet tonnage than the next thirteen of the world’s navies combined. The Navy was established on October 13, 1775 by the Continental Congress and called the . Due to the threat of piracy against American merchant ships, President passed the Naval Act of 1794 which lead to the creation of the U.S. Navy. The mission statement of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deter - ring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas. The Department of the Navy consists of three principle components: the executive offices, the operation forces (which include the Marine Corps, reservists, and in time of war, the U.S. Coast Guard), and the shore establishment. Non sibi sed patriae……Not for Self but Country.

U.S. Air Force The United States Air Force, which was originally part of the United States Army, became a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947, as a result of the National Security Act of 1947. The Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is the world’s largest air force that employs fighter aircraft, tanker aircraft, light and heavy bomber aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters. It is also responsible for all military satel - lites and controls all of the Nation’s strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. The purpose of the Air Force is to be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operation. The mission of the Air Force is to fly, fight and win in air, space, and cyberspace. It has six distinctive capabilities: Air and Space Superiority, Global Attack, Rapid Global Mobility, Precision Engagement, Information Superiority, and Agile Combat Support. The core values of the Air Force are integrity first, service before self and excellence in all they do. Aim High……Fly-Fight-Win.

American Fallen Warrior Memorial and Museum in Kansas City • Contact info @afwmf.org The Power of a Grateful Nation to Honor its Fallen Warriors U.S. Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775 with the founding of the Continental Marines, to engage in ship-to-ship battle, provide security on the country’s naval fleets, and assist with landing forces. The Marines, who specialize in amphibious operations, are known as America’s expeditionary force in readiness. They are the soldiers-of-the-sea who provide forces and detachments to naval ships and shore operations. More definitively, their primary specialty is to assault, capture, and control beach heads, which then provide a route to attack the enemy from almost any direction. All Marines are skilled riflemen regardless of the jobs they perform. Their core values are honor, courage and commitment. Their purpose is to be the nation’s rapid response force in all things from humanitarian relief efforts to combat operations on all fronts air, land, and sea. The Marines require great dedication and in return offer rewarding careers. Semper Fidelis……Always Faithful.

U.S. Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard was formed as a result of a merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Life-Saving Service on January 28, 1915. The Coast Guard has participated in every war from 1790 to the current opera - tions in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has the unique status of being a multi-mission service with two primary missions. The first, maritime law enforcement, in which it has jurisdiction both domestically and internationally. The second, as a federal regu - latory agency. Previously under the control of the Department of Transportation, the Coast Guard now falls under the control of the Department of Homeland Security but at any time can be transferred by the President to the Department of the Navy in times of war. The Coast Guard performs three primary roles: maritime safety, maritime security, and maritime stewardship. These roles are broken down further into statutory missions which include, but are not limited to, search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, marine environmental protection, securing ports and waterways, drug interdiction, and defense readiness. Semper Paratus……Always Ready.

American Fallen Warrior Memorial and Museum in Kansas City • Contact info @afwmf.org