How to Be a Pen Pal to the Troops in Iraq
Regardless of how you feel about war or the United States government or military, being a pen pal to soldiers is an incredibly kind and thoughtful thing that you can do for another human being. A...
View ArticleHow to Replace a Lost Purple Heart Medal
General George Washington invented the Purple Heart back in 1782 in order to acknowledge and honor the bravery of his soldiers. At that time, the award was made of purple cloth and adorned with silver...
View ArticleOrganizational Structure of the Army
The organizational structure of The United States Army is a complex chain of command. The structural units within the Army are assembled based upon the roles that they play in carrying out the missions...
View ArticleUS Army Infantry Versus the Marines
The main difference between the United Stated Marine Corps and the Army is that historically the Marines are specially trained and equipped for amphibious operations where they come ashore in landing...
View ArticleArmy Rank Explanation
The United States Army adheres to a strict rank for the enlisted solider. Movement up the chain of command is based on commitment, dedication, and success. Each level, or rank, comes with specific set...
View ArticleAmerican Battle Monuments Commission Facts
Part of the executive branch of the federal government, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) honors the service of America's armed forces in foreign lands. The organization maintains...
View ArticleFacts on the History of the Army
The United States Army is the oldest and largest of the five armed services. The Continental Congress named George Washington the first commander in chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775.
View ArticleThe Benefits of the National Guard
The Army National Guard supplements the regular Army in times of national emergency, and each state's National Guard serves in times of state emergencies. The benefits of the National Guard include not...
View ArticleProper Army Salute
According to the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force, one of the most basic forms of military courtesy between two military persons is the salute. The salute is a form of respect and a form of greeting....
View ArticleObservation Planes Used by the National Guard
National Guard observation planes have evolved during the past century. Shortly after World War I, the guard used biplanes--such as the JN-4H--for observation, but technological advances led to...
View ArticleWhat Are the Cons of a Military Draft?
With the onset of the War on Terror and specifically the Iraq War, the idea of reinstituting the military draft has been brought up by certain members of Congress. Some view it as a way to address U.S....
View ArticleHow Big Is an Army Brigade?
How big is an army brigade? This depends on the army's country of origin. Here's how several countries--the United States, England, Australia, Canada--and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)...
View ArticleHow to Order a Civil War Widow's Pension Records
Military records are useful sources of information for genealogists. Since they are typically maintained by governments, these types of records are reliable and fairly easy to obtain. However, records...
View ArticleHow to Address Senior Military Ranks
The militaries of the world, especially the United States military, have a long and strong tradition of military structure that demands that those of lower ranks refer to their superiors in certain...
View ArticleList of Brigade Combat Teams
Brigade combat teams (BCT) are now the basic unit of operation for the U.S. Army. Until 2004, the Army built its forces around a much larger unit, the division. A division usually consists of three...
View ArticleHow to Obtain a Relative's Service Medals
Former or current members of the military often feel a strong sense of pride in their time serving the country. One way they receive recognition for their service-related achievements is through medals...
View ArticleCan a Foreign Military Officer Be Awarded a U.S. Medal?
Can a foreign military officer be awarded a U.S. medal? Yes. Listed below are the U.S. medals that a foreign military officer can be awarded.
View ArticleHow to Gain Rank in the Army National Guard
According to Jerry Cooper, the United States National Guard evolved from the local militias established during the colonial era into both a state and a national branch of the United States Army. Each...
View ArticleHow to Qualify for VA Medical Coverage
In 1636, the pilgrims of Plymouth Rock began the legacy of providing assistance for military veterans by passing a law stating that disabled soldiers from the war with the Pequot Indians would be...
View ArticleHow to Waive Military Retired Pay
Military retirees have the choice to waive, or relinquish, all or part of their retirement pay. You may waive these benefits in order to receive disability compensation from the Veterans Administration...
View ArticleHow to Find My VA Records for Treatment
The Veterans Administration (VA) runs an extensive health care system around the country. This agency was established at the beginning of the Great Depression to provide health care to U.S. military...
View ArticleHow to Display the Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon, created in 1969 and made retroactive to 1941, is awarded to eligible sailors, Marines and Coast Guard when serving for the Navy. According to Secretary of the Navy Instruction...
View ArticleHow to Get Former WWII Military Records
World War II devastated the world during the middle of the 20th century. Many different types of records containing information about various aspects of the conflict have been archived by the United...
View ArticleArmy Regulation Responsibility of a Commissioned Officer
While there is no one comprehensive regulation outlining the overall day-to-day responsibility of all commissioned officers in the United States Army, there are numerous regulations which cover the...
View ArticleHow to Find the Military Status of a Person
The Servicemembers’ Civil Service Relief Act of 2003 gives individuals serving in the military protection from certain civil obligations, including pending trials, credit card debt and taxes. Whether...
View ArticleHow to Donate Military Items
Donating military items is an easy way to support the troops and the less-fortunate of your country. With particular military items, such as journals or personal histories, donating them to museums or...
View ArticleHow to Obtain Navy & Military Electronic Records
Before the Internet was widely used, employees of the national archives would have to go through boxes of files to find specific Navy and military records. These days, more records are being put online...
View ArticleHow to Properly Wear Military Service Awards
Military service has a long and glorified history in many parts of the world. Few awards can bring as much honor and respect to a person as a service award from the military. Like many other aspects of...
View ArticleWhat Are Some of the Medals That the Army Gives Out & What Are They For?
The Army honors its distinguished servicemen and women by awarding a variety of medals. In order to qualify for such honors, soldiers must have performed particular actions under certain conditions.
View ArticleHow to Wear Ribbons on an Army Dress Blue Uniform
There are few distinctions in the world that indicate such honor and pride as a military award. The United States Army issues awards in the forms of medals, pins, ribbons and other marks of honor. Like...
View ArticleHow to Apply for a GM Military Discount
If you're a reserve or active-duty member of the United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard, you can use the General Motors Military Discount Program when you buy your...
View ArticleThe History of Air Force Pilot Call Signs
Military call signs are used for vessels as well as pilots, and were thrust into the limelight after the release of the movie "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise. They have a long history, but some...
View ArticleHow to Get War Medals for War Vets
How to obtain war medals for a war veteran depends on whether you want to get copies of medals that were issued by the U.S. military or medals that you purchase as personal recognition for the soldier....
View ArticleHow to Wear Military Rank
The culture of the military can be hard to understand if you have never been enlisted. Nearly every aspect of a soldier’s life is regulated during his time in the military. This includes the condition...
View ArticleHow to Escape From a Headlock in Army Training
The Army trains its soldiers for a wide variety of situations they might face, both in combat and in civilian settings. From weapons training to technology use, the Army prepares people to face...
View ArticleHow to Apply Rank on the US Army Class A Uniform
The strict regulations for dress code and display of awards, rank and other insignia in the United States Army can vary by uniform. Army Regulation 670-1, titled “Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms...
View ArticleHow to Find a Unit Address for Someone in the Army
There is a wide range of Army unit addresses, so you have to know specifically what strategic and tactical units the soldier you are looking for belongs to. For example, a soldier might serve in the...
View ArticleHow to Find a U.S. Military ID Number
Obtaining a military ID number is a simple process of making a formal request to the National Archives. The National Archives preserves the records for every person who joins any branch of the U.S....
View ArticleHow to Rise Through the Ranks in the Marine Corps
The Marine Corps, which predates the formation of the United States of America, is an institution that prides itself on strict discipline and respect of rank. Advancing in rank while in the Marines can...
View ArticleHow to Enlist in the Merchant Marines
The United States Merchant Marines is a vital part of the United States system of commerce, and a pivotal component of the transportation of goods all around the world. More importantly, the United...
View ArticleHow to Wear a Flag Patch on an Army Uniform
Soldiers of the United States Army can represent the best and most devoted of American citizens. It makes sense, then, that these men and women should display America’s flag with pride on their army...
View ArticleHow to Find My Army Service Number
According to Tony Eclavea, chief of the records division of the United States Army's Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center (EREC), "We maintain every document inside every record of every active-duty...
View ArticleHow to Understand Navy Pay Scales
All Department of Defense pay is administered by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, or DFAS. All branches of the military, including the Navy, fall under the Department of Defense. Your pay...
View ArticleHow to Identify U.S. Naval Ships
The United States Navy’s main war-fighting capabilities come from its arsenal of ships. More than 200 ships make up the Navy’s current fleet. These types of ships include aircraft carriers, destroyers,...
View ArticleVeteran's Disability Act
Two United States acts protect veterans from discrimination. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act protects the veteran or military member from discrimination as it pertains to...
View ArticleProper Display of Military Medals
Being given a military medal is one of the highest honors an individual can receive. There are many medals that people can have bestowed upon them. It is illegal to try to replicate or sell medals that...
View ArticleWhat Is the Medal for Valor?
The medal of valor is one of the greatest honors bestowed upon a person. Although people in certain professions risk their life every day to protect the public, some people show exceptional commitment...
View ArticleWhat to Send Someone in Navy Boot Camp
Watching a loved one leave for Navy boot camp is never easy. The communication is extremely limited, and feeling anxious about your loved one is a common feeling. Individuals who go away to boot camp...
View ArticleHow to Attach Patches to a Sleeve in the Army
As the United States Army replaces the classic green "Class A" uniform with the Army Service Uniform, shoulder patches are no longer attached to dress uniforms. They have been replaced by metal pins...
View ArticleWhat Is a Light Brigade?
A light brigade is a small military unit designed to perform actions in a fast manner with a secondary focus on communications. The light brigade has been used for centuries as a major component in...
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