A military or military force (n., from Latin militarius, miles "soldier") has seen many different incarnations throughout time. Early armies were most likely men with sharpened sticks and rocks; through time they have included advancements such as men mounting horses, men wielding swords and other metallic weapons, the bow and arrow, siege weapons, the stirrup, to the advance of the musket which form the roots of the armed forces of most nations we know today. In modern times people use motorized vehicles and firearms.

While military can refer to any armed force, it generally refers to a permanent, professional force of soldiers or guerrillas—trained exclusively for the purpose of warfare and should be distinguished from a sanctioned militia or a levy, which are temporary forces— citizen soldiers with less training, who may be "called up" as a reserve force, when a nation mobilizes for total war, or to defend against invasion. The term military is often used to mean an army.

The doctrine that asserts the primacy of a military within a society is called militarism.

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Army's first female program executive officer begins tenure
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0000
The Army marked a historic milestone on Nov. 20 when Brig. Gen. N. Lee S. Price became its first female program executive officer. Price became leader of the Army's Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control and Communications-Tactical during a Change of Charter Ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., presided over by the Army Acquisition Executive, Dean G. Popps, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology who leads 13 PEOs, including PEO C3T. This continues a historic trend, marked notably in July 2008 when the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Gen. Ann Dunwoody as the Army's first female four-star general.
Media Advisory: Army Officials to Discuss Army's Suicide Prevention Efforts
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0000

Army Releases October Suicide Data
Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0000


AF.mil Top Stories

Base retiree activities offices worldwide need volunteers
afnews@afnews.af.mil (Tech. Sgt. Matthew McGovern) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:12:00 -0500
Retiree activities office members currently need volunteers at more than 150 offices at active-duty, Reserve and Guard bases around the world. "All of the retiree activities offices are suffering for a new group of people to volunteer because the core of (current volunteers) are getting sick, getting older and passing away," said Patricia Peek, the chief of retirees services. "None of the retiree activities offices have a surplus of people; we need their time, their efforts and their talents at these offices." more...
Air Force chaplains reflect on milestones, emphasize warrior care
afnews@afnews.af.mil (Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:12:00 -0500
More than 100 chaplains and chaplain assistants from throughout the Air Force attended the Chaplain Corps Summit here recently, in part to celebrate 60th anniversary of the Air Force Chaplain Corps and the 100th anniversary of the chaplain assistant career field. The summit began with an interfaith worship service, included a review of Chaplain Corps history and concluded with a Heritage Banquet. "We reminisced over years of service and fellowship in our past and looked ahead to the role of the Chaplain Corps in meeting current and future mission needs," said Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson, chief of chaplains.more...
Deputy defense secretary outlines protections for information
afnews@afnews.af.mil (Samantha L. Quigley) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:43:03 -0500
Although information technology enables the Defense Department to make gains in military capabilities, those gains come at a cost, the deputy defense secretary told industry executives in New York. "The Defense Department makes a tempting target," Mr. William J. Lynn III said. "We have 7 million computer devices, and each is under threat. This is not a new threat." Mr. Lynn told several hundred Aerospace and Defense Conference attendees Dec. 2 that more than 100 foreign intelligence organizations are trying to hack in to U.S. systems, and foreign governments are developing offensive cyber capabilities. Some already have the capacity to disrupt elements of U.S. information. more...

National Guard - Top News

Dale Jr.: Most popular driver for seventh year
Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:52:00 -0500
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was awarded his seventh consecutive NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver award today at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards event at The Venetian Las Vegas Hotel Casino in Las Vegas...
DoD focuses on F-35 costs, fair tanker competition
Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:52:00 -0500
Pentagon officials are working to halt spiraling costs in the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft program, while ensuring competition for a new refueling tanker remains fair to all contenders, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here yesterday...
Choices let Guard members transition with TRICARE
Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:52:00 -0500
The activation and deactivation cycle of National Guard and Reserve members can be a challenging process for service members and their families. TRICARE now offers many options for recently deactivated guardsmen, reservists and their families to maintain their health during the transition from active duty back to civilian life...

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