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.

More on [ Military ]

washingtonpost.com - Military News

Marines Push Deep Into Afghanistan to Root Out Insurgents
Rajiv Chandrasekaran Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:38:55 -0400
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, July 2 -- Columns of U.S. Marines in eight-wheeled armored vehicles pushed deep into southern Afghanistan on Thursday in an attempt to cut off Taliban supply lines from Pakistan and restore order in areas long neglected by short-handed NATO forces.
Featured Advertiser
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:38:55 -0400
U.S.: American Soldier Captured in Afghanistan
Rajiv Chandrasekaran and Debbi Wilgoren Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:10:57 -0400
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, July 2 -- A U.S. soldier missing from his base in eastern Afghanistan since Tuesday is believed to have been captured by Taliban militants, the military said Thursday.

Military Top Stories Center

Biden in Iraq to Visit Troops, Leaders

Captain America Returns

Navy Investigating Gay Sailor's Death


News Releases RSS Feed

Privatization of U.S. Army Lodging to Raise Quality of Life for Soldiers on the Move
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0000
The U.S. Army today announced that it will transfer the first 10 installations under the Army's Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program on August 15, 2009. The transfer is a reinforcement of the U.S. Army's commitment to improving its transient lodging to enhance the quality of life of soldiers and their families.
Army Releases May Suicide Data
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0000
WASINGTON, DC (June 11, 2009) - The Army released suicide data for the month of May today, reporting one confirmed suicide and 16 potential suicides among active duty soldiers.
Army's New Ground Combat Vehicle Development Underway
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON, DC (June 11, 2009) - The Army announced today Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli will host a workshop June 15, 2009 to bring together knowledgeable individuals to offer information and opinions on a way ahead for the Army to develop a new ground combat vehicle. The Army is moving aggressively toward developing a new ground combat vehicle as part of its modernization.

Subscribe to Military RSS feed

Eisenhower warns us of the military industrial complex.