Armed Forces consists of six coequal branches: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. President serves as commander-in-chief, with military policy overseen by DoD and DHS. Joint Chiefs of Staff is senior military body, led by chairman
Soldier is a person serving in an army, including conscripts and volunteers. Word derives from Middle English "soudeour" meaning mercenary. Soldiers can be infantry, artillery, or support personnel
Roman legionaries were citizen soldiers recruited under age 45. Initially recruited from Italy, later expanded to provinces. No property requirements, provided state-provided equipment
Established in 1947 as independent branch of US Armed Forces. Second youngest branch of US Armed Forces. Headed by civilian secretary reporting to secretary of defense. Operates approximately 5,500 combat aircraft and 400 ICBMs
Gendarmes were noble heavy cavalrymen serving in French army from Late Middle Ages. First French ordonnance established in 1439 to strengthen permanent army. Each company consisted of 100 lances, including heavy armored horseman and archers. Total number of gendarmes peaked at 4,000 during Louis XI's reign
Born in 1769 on Corsica to Italian noble family. Moved to mainland France in 1779 and joined military academy. Graduated from École militaire in 1785, first Corsican to do so