South Korean men aged 18-28 must serve in the military for nearly two years, but athletes who win medals at the Olympics or Asian Games are only required to complete basic training and compete in sports for 42 months. Recently, the South Korean football team was granted an exemption after winning gold at the 2018 […]
The military uses a 24-hour clock system to avoid confusion and ambiguity in time notation. Hours start at 0000 and increase by 100, with minutes replacing the last 00. The military watch follows the local time zone, except for international transactions where Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is used with the letter Z indicating the Zulu […]
The Swiss Cycling Regiment, known for carrying heavy equipment on green camouflaged bicycles, was active from 1891 to 2003. Switzerland hasn’t engaged in combat since 1847 and prioritizes peacekeeping missions over military service. The Swiss Cycling Regiment was introduced in 1891 and remained battle-ready for famed neutral Switzerland until 2003. The 3,000-strong regiment rode green […]
Forrest Mars invented the Mars bar in England after a falling out with his father, then created M&M’s after watching soldiers eat British-made Smarties during the Spanish Civil War. The candy was sold exclusively to the US military during WWII and later introduced the slogan “Melts in your mouth, not in your hand”. Peanut M&M’s […]
During WWII, the US military turned Espiritu Santo into a military supply base, naval port, and airfield. After the war, they dumped everything they couldn’t carry home into the ocean, creating an underwater museum called Million Dollar Point. The island inspired the setting of the musical South Pacific. Espiritu Santo, the largest island in the […]
In 2009, more US military personnel died by suicide than in battle. In 2010, there were 434 reported suicides, not including off-duty National Guardsmen or reservists, veterans, or those in the Individual Ready Reserve. The Center for a New American Security reported an average of one suicide by a US intelligence member every 36 hours […]
The Military Pay Certificate (MPC) was introduced in 1946 to prevent financial difficulties caused by US currency in foreign economies. Despite attempts to prevent it, MPCs were used in the underground economy. The program ended in 1973, and today, there is a thriving collectibles market for them. The value of an MPC depends on its […]
US military officers are appointed by the president and come from various sources, including service academies, ROTC programs, and enlisted personnel who attend Officers Candidate School. They receive basic combat and leadership training and are assigned to various duties. There are three types of officers, and promotions are based on merit and experience. A United […]
Military boot camp is required for all branches of the US Armed Forces and focuses on discipline, physical training, and classroom instruction. It does not prepare individuals for their specific job, but rather teaches them to think like soldiers and follow orders. Each branch has its own facilities and training programs, with varying levels of […]
Military family life requires courage, responsibility, and patience. Families often move frequently, face deployment, and have one spouse as a stay-at-home parent. The military community provides support and benefits, but separation can strain relationships. Despite the struggles, families stay strong out of loyalty to their loved ones and country. Military family life requires courage, responsibility […]
The US Armed Forces offer financial aid for college students interested in becoming officers, as well as education financial aid for veterans and their families. The Montgomery GI Bill provides educational benefits to veterans, and the Military Student Loan Repayment Program helps with student loan balances. The Reserve Officers Training Corp and the Student Pre-Commissioning […]
Base Realignment and Closure was a program that began in the late 1990s to decommission military bases and redevelop them for other uses. The process involves removing personnel and equipment, assessing environmental risks, and cleaning up contamination. A redevelopment agency is formed to create a sustainable development plan, which may include low-cost housing and high-end […]
In 1944, the US military conducted Exercise Tiger as a trial for the Normandy invasion, but it was discovered by German attack craft, resulting in the deaths of nearly 800 Americans. The delay of D-Day by one day and the involvement of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and JD Salinger are also noted. War is hell, but […]
Military operation names have evolved since WWII, with the US Army using two-word combinations for patriotic titles. Vietnam War era names were randomly generated, but now names are chosen based on public perception and sense of purpose. The NICKA system is still used, but more inspiring names are preferred. There is a method behind generating […]
Military ethics are codes and standards that guide soldiers’ actions in battle, decision-making, and interactions with others. They vary by country and military, and are learned during training. Violating the code can lead to disciplinary action, and consequences vary by offense. Military ethics exist to create uniformity and promote trust among members. They vary by […]
The military’s stop-loss policy can legally extend a soldier’s obligation up to six months after a war has ended, and prevent them from transferring to a new assignment. It was created to retain skilled personnel during times of war or national emergency, but pursuing legal action against it is difficult. Because the modern military is […]
Military tanks were developed during World War I to overcome the stalemate of trench warfare. Tanks were designed by different countries, including the British Mk V, American M1 Abrams, and German Panzerkampfwagen. The tanks provided armored support to infantry and brought firepower against opposing forces. The name “tank” comes from British factories where they were […]
Private military contractors are companies that provide military-related services using trained civilians, often ex-military personnel. They offer highly trained personnel, equipment, and services, and many governments subcontract work to them. However, they lack the oversight and accountability of national militaries and have been accused of overstepping their boundaries. A private military contractor is a company […]
Military ribbons are awarded for completing standard services, with different colors indicating their meaning and division. They are pinned to the uniform and distinguish between combat and non-combat services, with some recognizing good performance or completion of training. Each division has its own set of ribbons, with less common unit ribbons awarded to an entire […]
The military offers a wide range of career opportunities for both enlisted soldiers and officers, including administrative, technical, medical, security, combat, construction, and leadership positions. Enlisted personnel perform various functions, including operating weather radar systems, radio transmitters, and radar stations, serving as nurses, triage and emergency personnel, and working as military police or detectives. Officers […]
