American Armed Forces (A New World)

An American Jet ready to takeoff from AFS Enterprise

American Armed Forces is the military forces of America Federation. It consisted on Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, And Coast Guard. The president of America Federation is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and forms military policy with Departement of Defense (DoD) acting as principal organs by which military policy is carried out.

the Armed Forces saw service in WW3 as an powerful military rivalling Chinese and Russian Military with new arsenal and techonology advancement in place following the aftermath of 2027 bioweapon attack and over 10 Million Soldiers which is largest since WW2.

After the war the military continue to maintain its power projection by sustained Volunteer Forces.

Structure

The American Armed Forces are led by the president of the America Federation, which the 2027 Constitution named them as the "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the America Federation, when called into the actual Service of the America Federation" The American Armed Forces were responsibility of Department of Defense serving as the primary cabinet department for military affairs.

The military chain of command flows from the president of the America Federation to the secretary of defense, ensuring civilian control of the military. Within the Department of Defense the military departments, the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force, are civilian led entities that oversee the coequal military service branches organized within. The military departments and services are responsible for organizing, training, and equipping forces, with the actual chain of command flowing through the unified combatant commands. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, although outside the operational chain of command, is the senior-most military body in the United States Armed Forces. It is led by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is the military head of the armed forces and principle advisor to the president and secretary of defense on military matters. Their deputy is the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other members include the chief of staff of the Army, commandant of the Marine Corps, chief of naval operations, chief of staff of the Air Force, commandant of the Coast Guard, and the chief of the National Guard Bureau. The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is the most senior enlisted member in the United States Armed Forces.

Leadership of the Armed Forces, to include the president of the United States, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are members of the United States National Security Council, which advises the president on national security, military, and foreign policy matters. The National Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor may also be members of the United States Armed Forces. The National Security Council Deputies Committee also includes the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Military Service Branches

The American Armed Forces is comprised of five coequal military service branches. Five of the branches, the Federation Army, Federation Marine Corps, Federation Navy, Federation Air Force, and Federation Coast Guard are organized under the Department of Defense's military departments. the military services only organize, train, and equip forces. The unified combatant commands are responsible for operational control of non-service retained forces.

Federation Army

Main Article: Federation Army (A New World)

The Federation Army is the land service branch of the American Armed Forces and part of the civilian-led Department of the Army, which is led by the Secretary of the Army. The military head of the Federation Army is the chief of staff of the Army, who is assisted by the vice chief of staff of the Federation Army and sergeant major of the Army. It was founded on 14 June 1775 as the Continental Army and reformed again in 5 October 2028 as the Federation Army.

The five core competencies of the Army are to conduct:

1. Prompt and sustained land combat
2. Combined arms operations
   1. Combined arms maneuver and wide area security
   2. Armored and mechanized operations
   3. Airborne and air assault operations
3. Special operations
4. Set and sustain the theater for the joint force
5. Integrate national, multinational, and joint power on land

The Federation Army is composed of the Regular Army, Federation Army Reserve, and Federation Army National Guard. The Federation Army is organized into four army commands, which conduct the majority of the service's organize, train, and equip functions, ten Army service component commands, which command forces attached to the combatant commands, and twelve direct reporting units. The Army also organizes its personnel into 21 different basic branches.

The four army commands are:

• Army Forces Command: Provides Army forces to combatant commanders.

• Army Training and Doctrine Command: Recruits, trains, and educates soldiers and develops Army doctrine

• Army Materiel Command: Develops, maintains, and acquires systems and materiel.

• Army Futures Command: Modernization and future systems development.

The Federation Army's field structure is broken into several subdivisions under its commands:

• Army group: Only used during large scale wars or as part of multinational commands, consist of four to five field armies and 400,000 to 1 million soldiers. Usually responsible for directing campaigns in a certain geographical area and commanded by a general.
• Field army: Consists of two or more corps or more than four divisions and consists of up to 90,000 soldiers commanded by a general or lieutenant general.
• Corps: Consists of two to five divisions and 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant general. A corps is the highest level of command that provides operational direction for combat operations, with higher levels concerned with administration rather than operations.
• Division: Consists of three to four brigades and 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers commanded by a major general and are subdivided into airborne, armored, infantry, and mountain divisions. Each division conducts major tactical operations and sustained battlefield operations.
• Brigade / Regiment / Group: Consists of two to three battalions and 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers commanded by a colonel. Armored and Ranger units are organized into regiments and Special Forces are organized into groups.
• Battalion / Squadron: Consist of four to six companies and consist of up to 1,000 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel. Battalions are organized into combat arms battalions, combat support, and combat service support battalions by unit type. Armored and air cavalry are organized into squadrons. Battalions and squadrons conduct independent operations of limited scope and duration.
• Company / Battery / Troop: Consist of three to four platoons and a few dozen to 200 soldiers commanded by a captain. Artillery is organized into batteries and armored and air cavalry units are organized into troops. Companies, batteries, and troops are tactical-sized unit that can perform a battlefield function on its own.
• Platoon: Consists of two to three squads and up to 36 soldiers led by a first lieutenant or second lieutenant.
• Squad / Section: Consists of two teams and four to ten soldiers led by a staff sergeant.
• Team: Consists of four soldiers and led by a sergeant or corporal.

Federation Marine Corps

The Federation Marine Corps is the maritime land force service branch of the American Armed Forces and part of the civilian-led Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy. The military head of the Federation Marine Corps is the commandant of the Marine Corps, who is assisted by the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps and sergeant major of the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps was founded on 10 November 1775 as the Continental Marines and disbanded in 1783, before being reestablished as the United States Marine Corps on 11 July 1789, it was again reestablished as Federation Marine Corps in 5 October 2027 as part of the establishing New Armed Forces.

The Marine Corps is responsible for amphibious warfare and expeditionary warfare operations, having a very close relationship with its coequal sister service, the Federation Navy. The Federation Marine Corps is composed of the Regular Marine Corps and the Federation Marine Corps Reserve. The central unit of the Marine Corps is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, which consist of a command element, ground combat element, aviation combat element, and logistics combat element. The Marine Corps is divided in the Fleet Marine Force and the Supporting Establishment.

The Fleet Marine Force includes:

• Marine Corps Forces Command / Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic: Conducts operations in the Atlantic, Europe, and Africa. Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic under the command of Fleet Forces Command.
• Marine Corps Forces, Pacific / Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Conducts operations in the Pacific and Middle East. Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under the command of Pacific Fleet.

The Federation Marine Corps Marine Air-Ground Task Force structure is broken into several levels under the Fleet Marine Force:

• Marine Expeditionary Force: The largest type of Marine Air-Ground Task Force, consists of a marine division, air wing, and logistics group under a headquarters group and 20,000 to 90,000 marines and sailors commanded by a lieutenant general. The principal warfighting organization of the Marine Corps during larger crisis or contingencies, MEFs' are self-sufficient for 60 days.
• Marine Expeditionary Brigade: The medium type of Marine Air-Ground task Force, consists of a reinforced infantry regiment, reinforced composite marine aircraft group, and task organized logistics combat regiment under a command element and 20,000 marines and sailors commanded by a brigadier general. Forward deployed MEUs provide an expeditionary force in readiness and are self-sufficient for 30 days.

• Marine Expeditionary Unit: The light type of Marine Air-Ground task Force, consists of a reinforced infantry battalion, reinforced composite aviation squadron, and task organized combat logistics battalion command element and 2,600 marines and sailors commanded by a colonel. Forward deployed MEUs provide an expeditionary force in readiness, capable of commencing missions on a six-hour timeline and are self-sufficient for 15 days.The Federation Marine Corps unit structure is broken into several subdivisions under the Fleet Marine Force:

• Marine division / Marine aircraft wing: Consists of three marine regiments or marine aircraft groups and 6,561 marines commanded by a major general.
• Marine logistics group: Consists of three combat logistics regiments and commanded by a brigadier general.
• Marine regiment / Marine aircraft group: Consist of three or more marine battalions or marine aviation squadrons and 2,187 marines commanded by a colonel.
• Marine regiment / Marine aviation squadron: Consists of three or more companies or 24 aircraft and 729 marines commanded by a lieutenant colonel
• Company: Consists of three or more platoons and 243 marines commanded by a Captain.
• Platoon: Consists of three squads and 27 marines commanded by a first lieutenant or second lieutenant.
• Squad / Section: Consists of three teams and nine marines led by a sergeant.
• Fire team: Consists of four marines led by a corporal.

Federation Navy

The Federation Navy is the maritime service branch of the American Armed Forces and part of the civilian-led Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy. The military head of the Federation Navy is the chief of naval operations, who is assisted by the vice chief of naval operations and master chief petty officer of the Navy. The Navy was founded on 13 October 1775 as the Continental Navy, which was disbanded on 1 August 1785 before being reestablished as the modern U.S. Navy on 20 January 1794. it was once again reestabished as Federation Navy in 5 October 2028.

The five enduring functions of the Navy are:

1. Sea control
2. Power projection
3. Deterrence
4. Maritime security
5. Sealift.

The Federation Navy is composed of the Regular Navy and Federation Navy Reserve. The Federation Navy is organized into eight navy component commands, which command operational forces, fifteen shore commands, which support the fleets' operating forces, five systems commands, which oversee the technical requirements of the Navy, and nine type commands, which administratively manage units of a certain type.

The navy component commands are:

• Fleet Forces Command / Naval Forces Northern Command / Naval Forces Strategic Command: Conducts naval operations in North America as Northern Command's joint force maritime component and strategic deterrence operations as Strategic Command's joint force maritime component.
• Pacific Fleet: Conducts naval operations in the Pacific and Asia as United States Indo-Pacific Command's joint force maritime component

• Naval Forces Southern Command: Conducts naval operations in South America as United States Southern Command's joint force maritime component.

• Naval Forces Europe: Conducts naval operations in Europe and Africa as European Command's maritime component.

• Fleet Cyber Command: Naval component to United States Cyber Command.
• Naval Special Warfare Command: Commands the Navy SEALs and conducts special operations as Special Operations Command joint force maritime component.
• Military Sealift Command: Conducts sealift operations as United States Transportation Command's joint force maritime component.

The Federation Navy's unit structure is broken into several subdivisions under the operating force:

• Numbered fleet: Elements of navy component commands led by vice admirals
• Task force: Scalable organization that is responsible to the fleet commander for assigned units and functions.
• Task group: An individual carrier strike group, amphibious ready group, surface strike group within a given fleet.
• Task unit: Units operating together for a specific task, such as air defense units within a carrier strike group.
• Task element: Individual units within a task unit.The U.S. Navy's unit structure is broken into several subdivisions under the type command structure. For Naval Air Forces:

• Carrier air wing / Wing: Consists of four strike fighter squadrons, one electronic attack squadron, one carrier airborne early warning squadron, on helicopter sea combat squadron, one helicopter maritime strike squadron, and one fleet logistic support squadron under the command of a captain.
• Squadron: Consists of several aircraft under the command of a commander.

Federation Air Force

The Federation Air Force is the air service branch of the American Armed Forces and part of the civilian-led Department of the Air Force, which is led by the Secretary of the Air Force. The military head of the U.S. Air Force is the chief of staff of the Air Force, who is assisted by the vice chief of staff of the Federation Air Force and chief master sergeant of the Air Force. It achieved independence on 18 September 1947 from the U.S. Army, but directly traces its history through the United States Army Air Forces, United States Army Air Corps, United States Army Air Service, the Division of Military Aeronautics, Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, to the birth of Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps on 1 August 1907. it was reestablished as Federation Air Force on 5 October 2028.

The five core missions of the Air Force are:

1. Air superiority
2. Global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
3. Rapid global mobility
4. Global strike
5. Command and control

The Federation Air Force is composed of the Regular Air Force, Federation Air Force Reserve, and Federation Air National Guard. The Federation Air Force is organized into nine major commands, which conduct the majority of the service's organize, train, and equip functions and command forces attached to the combatant commands.

The Air Force's major commands are:

• Air Combat Command: Provides fighter, attack, intelligence, cyber, combat rescue, and air force ground forces to combatant commanders.
• Air Education and Training Command: Recruits, educates, and trains airmen and develops Air Force doctrine
• Air Force Global Strike Command: Operates the Air Force's strategic bombers as Strategic Command's joint force air component.
• Air Force Materiel Command: Develops, maintains, and acquires systems and materiel.
• Air Force Reserve Command: Manages Air Force reserve forces.
• Air Force Special Operations Command: Conducts special operations with aviation and Special Tactics Commandos as Special Operations Commmand's joint force air component
• Air Mobility Command: Conducts airlift and air refueling operations as Transportation Command's joint force air component
• Pacific Air Forces: Conducts air operations as Indo-Pacific Commands joint force air component
• Federation Air Forces in Europe: Conducts air operations as European Command's joint force air component.

The Federation Air Force's field structure is broken into several subdivisions under its major commands:

• Numbered air force / Named air force: Consists of multiple wings with a geographic or functional assignment commanded by a general or lieutenant general.
• Wing: Consists of two or more groups commanded by a brigadier general or colonel. Wings typically contain an operations group, maintenance group, mission support group, and a medical group. There are two types of wings: composite wings or objective wings. Composite wings operate more than one kind of aircraft and may be designated as self-contained units designed for quick air intervention anywhere in the world. Objective wings are based on a single purpose, such as an operational, air base, or specialized mission.
• Group: Consists of two or more squadrons whose mission are similar or complementary commanded by a colonel.
• Squadron: Consist of two or more flights commanded by a lieutenant colonel or major.
• Flight: Consists of individual airmen, sections, or shops commanded by a captain.
• Element / Section: Consists of two or more airmen led by a staff sergeant or senior airman.

Federation Coast Guard

The Federation Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the Federation Armed Forces and part of the Department of Defense, which is led by the Secretary of Defense. The military head of the U.S. Coast Guard is the commandant of the Coast Guard, who is assisted by the vice commandant of the Coast Guard and master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard was founded as a military service branch on 4 August 1790 as the United States Revenue-Marine, before being renamed on 31 July 1894 as the United States Revenue Cutter Service. On 28 January 1915 it was merged with the civilian United States Life-Saving Service to form the United States Coast Guard. In 1939, the civilian United States Lighthouse Service was merged into the Coast Guard. The Revenue-Marine, and later the Coast Guard, were organized under the Department of the Treasury, transferring to the Department of the Navy during World War I and World War II. In 1967 it was transferred to the Department of Transportation, where it would reside until 2003 when it was permanently transferred to the Then-Department of Homeland Security. in 12 December 2028, the Coast Guard was formally reestablished.

The eleven missions of the Coast Guard are:

1. Port and waterway security
2. Drug interdiction
3. Aids to navagation
4. Search and rescue
5. Living marine resources
6. Marine safety
7. Defense readiness
8. Migrant interdiction
9. Marine environmental protection
10. Ice operations
11. Law enforcement

The U.S. Coast Guard is composed of the Regular Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard Reserve. The U.S. Coast Guard is organized into two area commands.

• Coast Guard Atlantic Area: Conducts Coast Guard operations in the Atlantic Ocean and central United States.
• Coast Guard Pacific Area: Conducts Coast Guard operations in the Pacific Ocean.

Unified combatant commands

Unified combatant commands are joint military commands consisting of forces from multiple military departments, with their chain of command flowing from the president, to the secretary of defense, to the commanders of the combatant commands. There are four unified combatant commands that come in two types. Geographic commands, such as European, Indo-Pacific, Northern, and Southern commands are responsible for planning and operations in a certain geographic area. Functional commands, such as Cyber, Special Operations, and Transportation commands are responsible for a functional activity that crosses geographic boundaries. Each service organizes, trains, and equips forces that are then presented to the unified combatant commands through service component commands. Special Operations Command and Cyber Command also present theater special operations commands or joint force headquarters – cyber to other combatant commanders. Army or Marine Corps components are typically duel hatted as the joint force land component, Navy components are typically duel hatted as the joint force maritime component, and Air Force components are typically duel hatted as the joint force air component, with the theater special operations command duel hatted as the joint force special operations component, and Space Force component sometimes duel hatted as the joint force space component.

European Command

European Command (EUCOM) is the geographic combatant command responsible for United States military operations in Europe, Russia, Greenland, and Israel. European Command is headquartered in Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, German, and shares a commander with UDC Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. European Command was established on 11 October 2027 shortly after the announcement of NATO Reformed.

European Command's service components are:

• Army: Federation Army Europe
• Marine Corps: Federation Marine Corps Europe
• Navy: Naval Forces Europe / Sixth Fleet
• Air Force: Federation Air Force in Europe
• Special Operation Command: Special Operation Command Europe
• Cyber Command: Joint Forces Headquarters - Cyber Air Force

Indo-Pacific Command

Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) is the geographic combatant command responsible for United States military operations in the Pacific, Asia, India, and Antarctica. Indo-Pacific Command is headquartered in Camp H. M. Smith, Oahu, Hawaii. Indo-Pacific Command was established on 1 January 1947 as United States Pacific Command, assuming the responsibilities of United States Far East Command and Alaskan Command on 1 July 1957. Indo-Pacific Command was established on 29 October 2027 as an Foreign Policy for China and Russia for Dominance in Pacific. Indo-Pacific Command has two subordinate unified commands, two direct reporting units, and one standing joint task force:

• American Forces Japan (Part of UDC ISAF)
  • Army: Federation Army Japan/ I Corps
  • Marine Corps: III Marine Expeditionary Forces
  • Navy: Naval Forces Japan / Seventh Fleet
  • Air Force: Fifth Air Forces
  • Special Operation Command: Special Operation Command Japan

• American Forces Korea (Part of UDC Korea Peacekeeping Forces)
  • Army: Eighth Army
  • Marine Corps: Federation Marine Corps Korea
  • Navy: Naval Forces Korea / Seventh Fleet
  • Air Force: Seventh Air Force (Air Forces Korea)
  • Special Operation Command: Special Operation Command Korea

• Joint Intelligence Operations Center Pacific
• Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance
• Joint Interagency Task Force West

Indo-Pacific Command's service components are:

• Army: Federation Army Pacific
• Marine Corps: Federation Marine Corps Pacific
• Navy: Pacific Fleet
• Special Operation Command: Special Operation Command Pacific
• Cyber Command: Joint Force Headquarters – Fleet Cyber Command

Northern Command

Northern Command (NORTHCOM) is the geographic combatant command responsible for American military operations and the defense of North America. Northern Command is headquartered in Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado and shares a commander and some staff with the combined American–Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command. it was reestablished in 7 October 2027.

Northern Command's service components are:

• Army: Federation Army North
• Marine Corps: Federation Marine Corps Forces North
• Navy: Naval Forces Northern Command
• Air Force: First Air Force / Air Forces Northern
• Special Operation Command: Special Operations Command North
• Cyber Command: Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber Army

Southern Command

Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is the geographic combatant command responsible for United States military operations in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Southern Command is headquartered in Doral, Florida. Southern Command was established on 11 June 1963, replacing Caribbean Command. and was reestablished in 7 October 2027.

Southern Command's service components are:

• Army: Federation Army South
• Marine Corps: Federation Marine Corps South
• Navy: Naval Forces Southern Command / Fourth Fleet
• Air Force: Twelfth Air Force / Air Forces Southern
• Special Operations Command: Special Operations Command South
• Cyber Command: Joint Forces Headquarters - Fleet Cyber Command

Cyber Command

Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) is the functional combatant command responsible for American military operations in cyberspace. Cyber Command is headquartered in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, sharing leadership, personnel, and resources with the National Security Agency and Central Security Service. Cyber Command was established on 21 May 2010 as a sub-unified command under United States Strategic Command, becoming an independent combatant command on 4 May 2018, and reestablished in 12 April 2029. Cyber Command traces its history through Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command – Network Warfare, Joint Task Force – Global Network Operations, Joint Task Force–Computer Network Operations, to Space Command's Joint Task Force–Computer Network Defense on 1 December 1998. Prior to the establishment of Cyber Command, cyber operations were the responsibility of Strategic Command, and before that Space Command. Cyber Command supports the other combatant commands by providing Joint Force Headquarters–Cyber elements.

Cyber Command's service components are:

• Army: Federation Army Cyber Command / Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber Army
• Marine Corps: Federation Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command / Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber Marines
• Navy: Federation Fleet Cyber Command /  United States Tenth Fleet /  Joint Force Headquarters – Fleet Cyber Command
• Air Force: Sixteenth Air Force /  Air Forces Cyber /  Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber Air Force

Special Operations Command

Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is the functional combatant command responsible for American military special operations. Special Operations Command is headquartered in MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Special Operations Command was established on 16 April 1987, it was reestablished on 12 October 2027.

Special Operations Command has one subordinate component command and seven theater special operations commands:

• Joint Special Operations Command
  • Army: 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta /  Intelligence Support Activity /  Regimental Reconnaissance Company
  • Navy: Naval Special Warfare Development Group
  • Air Force: 24th Special Tactics Squadron
  • Joint: Joint Communications Unit
• Special Operations Command Europe
• Special Operations Command Korea
• Special Operations Command Pacific
• Special Operations Command North
• Special Operations Command South

Transportation Command

Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) is the functional combatant command responsible for United States military mobility and transport operations. Transportation Command is headquartered in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Transportation Command was established on 1 July 1987, replacing the specified command function of Strategic Air Command. and again reestablished in 5 October 2027.

Transportation Command's service components are:

• Army: Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
• Navy: United States Navy Military Sealift Command
• Air Force: Air Mobility Command
• Cyber Command: Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber Air Force

Personnel

The American Armed Forces is the world's largest military by active personnel, and the Largest among UDC Militaries, consisting of 2 Million Military Personnels on all branches, including Military Reserves and National Guard. The American Armed Forces is an All-Volunteer Military.

Rank Structure

Rank in the American Armed Forces is split into three distinct categories: officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel. Officers are the leadership of the military, holding commissions from the president of the United States and confirmed to their rank by the Senate. Warrant officers hold a warrant from the secretaries of the military departments, serving as specialist in certain military technologies and capabilities. Upon promotion to chief warrant officer 2, they gain a commission from the president of the United States. Enlisted personnel comprise the majority of the armed forces, serving as specialists and tactical-level leaders until they become senior non-commissioned officers or senior petty officers. Military ranks across the services can be compared by U.S. Uniformed Services pay grade or UDC rank code.

Officer corps

Army	Marine Corps	Navy	Air Force	Coast Guard
General of the Army	No Equivalent	Fleet Admiral	General of the Air Force	No Equivalent
General	General	Admiral	General	Admiral
Lieutenant General	Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral	Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral
Major General	Major General	Rear Admiral	Major General	Rear Admiral
Brigadier General	Brigadier General	Rear Admiral (lower half)	Brigadier General	Rear Admiral (lower half)
Colonel	Colonel	Captain	Colonel	Captain
Lieutenant Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Commander	Lieutenant Colonel	Commander
Major	Major	Lieutenant Commander	Major	Lieutenant Commander
Captain	Captain	Lieutenant	Captain	Lieutenant
First Lieutenant	First Lieutenant	Lieutenant (junior grade)	First Lieutenant	Lieutenant (junior grade)
Second Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant	Ensign	Second Lieutenant	Ensign
Cadet / officer Candidate	Midshipman / officer candidate	Midshipman / officer candidate	Cadet / officer trainee	Cadet / officer candidate

Officers represent the top 18% of the armed forces, serving in leadership and command roles. Officers are divided into three categories:

• O-1 to O-3: Company grade officers in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, or junior officers in the Navy.
• O-4 to O-6: Field grade officers in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, or mid-grade officers in the Navy and Coast Guard.
• O-7 to O-10: General officers in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, or flag officers in the Navy and Coast Guard.Officers are typically commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns with a bachelor's degree after several years of training and education or directly commissioning from civilian life into a specific specialty, such as a medical professional, lawyer, chaplain, or cyber specialist. The three primary commissioning routes include:

• Federation service academies: Four-year military college that provides academic, military, physical, and leadership training.
  • Federation Military Academy at West Point: Commissions officers into the Army.
  • Federation Naval Academy: Commissions officers into the Navy and Marine Corps.
  • Federation Air Force Academy: Commissions officers into the Air Force.
  • Federation Coast Guard Academy: Commissions officers into the Coast Guard.
  • Federation Merchant Marine Academy: Commissions officers into the Navy Reserve.
• Reserve Officer Training Corps: Part time military program at traditional colleges.
  • Army Reserve Officers Training Corps: Commissions officers into the Army.
  • Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps: Commissions officers into the Navy and Marine Corps.
  • Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps: Commissions officers into the Air Force.
• Officer candidate school: Shortened military training for civilians or enlisted personnel who already possess a bachelor's degree.
  • Army Officer Candidate School: Commissions officers into the Army.
  • Marine Corps Officer Candidate School: Commissions officers into the Marine Corps.
  • Navy Officer Candidate School: Commissions officers into the Navy.
  • Air Force Officer Training School: Commissions officers into the Air Force.
  • Coast Guard Officer Candidate School: Commissions officers into the Coast Guard.

Throughout their careers, officers continue professional military education throughout their careers, typically before major milestones. Professional military education institutions across the services and armed forces include:

• National Defense University
  • National War College
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy
  • Joint Forces Staff College
• Defense Acquisition University
• Army War College
• Army Command and General Staff College
  • School of Advanced Military Studies
• Marine Corps University
  • Marine Corps War College
• Naval War College
• Naval Postgraduate School: Run by the United States Navy for the entire armed forces.
• Air University: For the Air Force officers.
  • Air War College
  • Air Command and Staff College
  • Squadron Officer School
  • Air Force Institute of Technology

During a time of war, officers may be promoted to five-star ranks, with general of the Army, fleet admiral, and general of the Air Force the only five-star ranks currently authorized.

Warrant officer corps

Army	Marine Corps	Navy	Coast Guard
Chief Warrant Officer 5	Chief Warrant Officer 5	Chief Warrant Officer 5	No Equivalent
Chief Warrant Officer 4	Chief Warrant Officer 4	Chief Warrant Officer 4	Chief Warrant Officer 4
Chief Warrant Officer 3	Chief Warrant Officer 3	Chief Warrant Officer 3	Chief Warrant Officer 3
Chief Warrant Officer 2	Chief Warrant Officer 2	Chief Warrant Officer 2	Chief Warrant oficer 2
Warrant Officer 1	Warrant Officer 1	Warrant Officer 1	Warrant Officer 1

Warrant officers are specialists, comprising only 8% of the officer corps. Warrant officers hold warrants from their service secretary and are specialists and experts in certain military technologies or capabilities. The lowest-ranking warrant officers serve under a warrant, but they receive commissions from the president upon promotion to chief warrant officer 2. They derive their authority from the same source as commissioned officers but remain specialists, in contrast to commissioned officers, who are generalists. There are no warrant officers in the Air Force. Warrant officers are typically non-commissioned officers before being selected, with the exception of the Army Aviation where any enlisted grade can apply for a warrant. Army Warrant officers attend the Army Warrant Officer Candidate School.

Enlisted

Army	Marine Corps	Navy	Air Force	Coast Guard
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman	Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy	Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Sergeant Major of the Army	Sergeant Major	Fleet/Force master chief petty officer	Chief Master sergeant of the Air Force	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve
Command Sergeant Major	Sergeant Major	Command master chief petty officer	Command chief master sergeant	Command master sergeant chief petty officer
Sergeant Major	Master gunnery sergeant	Master chief petty officer	First sergeant / Chief master sergeant	Master chief petty officer
First Sergeant	First Sergeant	Command senior chief petty officer	First sergeant	Senior chief petty officer
Master Sergeant	Master Sergeant	Senior chief petty officer	Senior master sergeant
Sergeant First Class	Gunnery Sergeant	Chief petty officer	First sergeant / Master sergeant	Chief petty officer
Staff Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Petty officer first class	Technical sergeant	Petty officer first class
Sergeant	Sergeant	Petty officer second class	Staff Sergeant	Petty officer second class
Corporal	Corporal	Petty officer third class	Senior Airman	Petty officer third class
Specialist
Private First Class	Lance Corporal	Seaman	Airman first class	Seaman
Private	Private First Class	Seaman apprentice	Airman	Seaman apprentice
Private	Private	Seaman recruit	Airman basic	Seaman recruit

Enlisted personnel consist of 82% of the armed forces, serving as specialists and tactical leaders. Enlisted personnel are divided into three categories:

• E-1 to E-3/4: Junior enlisted personnel, usually in initial training or at their first assignment. E-1 to E-3 in the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard and E-1 to E-4 in the Army, Air Force, and Space Force. In the Army, specialist (E-4) are considered to be junior enlisted, while corporals (E-4) are non-commissioned officers.
• E-4/5 to E-6: Non-commissioned officers in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and petty officers in the Navy and Coast Guard. In the Air Force, staff sergeant (E-5) is the first non-commissioned officer rank. Non-commissioned officers and petty officers are responsible for tactical leadership.
• E-7 to E-9: Senior non-commissioned officers in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force and chief petty officers in the Navy and Coast Guard. Serve as senior enlisted advisors to officers.

The rank of senior enlisted advisor is the highest rank in each service, serving as the primary advisors to their service secretary and service chief on enlisted matters. Prior to entering their service, enlisted personnel must their service's basic training. In the Army, after completing Basic Combat Training recruits then go to advanced individual training for their military occupational specialty. In the Marine Corps, after completing Recruit Training, marines attend the School of Infantry, going to the Infantry Training Battalion for infantry marines, with non-infantry marines completing Marine Combat Training before advancing to technical training for their military occupational specialty. In the Navy, after completing Recruit Training, sailors advance to their "A" schools to complete training for their rating. In the Air Force, recruits complete combined Basic Military Training before going to technical training for their Air Force Specialty Codes. In the Coast Guard, after completing Recruit Training, sailors advance to their "A" schools to complete training for their rating.