10 Interesting Facts About the US Military You Didn’t Know
By Faith Eischen | 06/30/2012 | War and Foreign Policy | 26 Comments
The United States’ Military and Department of Defense make up a huge portion of our country’s expenditures and has greatly influence our government and citizens. However, many Americans are aloof to some of the actual statistics. Our nation considers the security of our citizens and our nation to be of the utmost importance in terms of United States government’s priorities. Here is a list of ten interesting facts about the US military and the Department of Defense that you may, or may not have known.
1. 30 of the 43 Presidents served in the Army, 24 during time of war, two earned the rank of 5-star General (President Washington and President Eisenhower) and one earned the Medal of Honor (President Theodore Roosevelt)
2. Less than 28 percent of Americans between the ages of 17-23 are qualified for military service, that’s only about 1-in-4.
3. The Department of Defense employs about 1.8 million people on active duty. It is the single largest employer in the United States, with more employees than Exxon, Mobil, Ford, General Motors, and GE combined.
4. The Army was in charge of exploring and mapping much of America. For example, the Lewis and Clark Expedition was comprised of Army officers and noncommissioned officers. The Army conducted several other expeditions through the American West, as well as Alaska and the Arctic.
5. The total known land area occupied by US bases and facilities is 15,654 square miles — bigger than Washington DC, Massachusetts, and New Jersey combined
6. The Pentagon unveiled a 2013 budget plan that would cut $487 billion in spending over the next decade.
7. The Coast Guard seizes 169 pounds of marijuana and 306 pounds of cocaine, worth about $9,589,000.00 everyday.
8. Each day in Afghanistan costs the government more than it did to build the entire Pentagon.
9. The Pentagon has no marble because it was built during World War II, and Italy, the source of marble, was an enemy country.
10. In 2008, the Pentagon spent more money every five seconds in Iraq than the average American earned in a year.
What’s your opinion of these 10 interesting facts about the US military and Department of Defense? Speak up!
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26 Comments
Dan Richards
07.01.2012
@danrich
Very interesting information here. Did you notice that one President only served as a enlisted man?
Only one President (James Buchanan) served as an enlisted man in the military and did not go on to become an officer. (Military.com).
Which I found interesting being that he and Lincoln both agreed that the Blacks were not worth helping to settle and help develop their own communities to get them out of slavery.
Brkyng
07.01.2012
@user6129
Military industrial complex? I don’t deny that the military spends a ton, but the term “military industial complex” is smoke and mirrors to keep people from seeing that it’s entitlement programs that are bankrupting this country. At least those in the military earn what they have. What have the welfare dregs and political hacks done for this country?
Jason Clyber
07.01.2012
Don’t worry they’ll be out here soon, with nothing accomplished
Jaime Frausto Avila
07.01.2012
10. In 2008, the Pentagon spent more money every five seconds in Iraq than the average American earned in a year. Why are we looking at Afghanistan, when WE ARE STILL PAYING FOR IRAQ????
Craig Hubert
07.01.2012
scaled for inflation?
Jason Clyber
07.01.2012
Because it’s all big money for those contracting and supplying the wars
Carol Belflower Bland
07.01.2012
“10. In 2008, the Pentagon spent more money every five seconds in Iraq than the average American earned in a year.” Why in 2008? Why not more recently also?
Alden Huckvale
07.01.2012
“Gary Johnson” the libertarian candidate for president 2012 will bring the troops home immediately and use the money in this country, for the American people !!!
Lil Mike
07.01.2012
http://open.spotify.com/track/6k7WIrRNcJeue3dvDT1UPh
Gary McCorvey
07.01.2012
I don’t give a damn what that video shows. BRING ALL THE TROOPS HOME and DO IT NOW. Get the US the hell out of the UN .
Dan Richards
07.01.2012
@danrich
“BRING ALL THE TROOPS HOME and DO IT NOW.”
Are you familiar with the definition of insanity? So we jump out now, like we did in Nam, like we did in the ’70′s in Afghanistan, and we expect a different response? That would be an insane expectation.
Now I agree with your thought on the blasted UN. We need to dump that, and maybe use that building for something useful like a home for abandoned children. At least then it would accomplish something, instead of assisting the abuse of children world wide like the UN has done the past three decades. As well as other issues they have failed miserably in.
No in Iraq and Afghanistan we need to do what is needed, but this time do it right, or will end up with another Taliban running things again.
Dan Richards
07.01.2012
@danrich
“No in Iraq and Afghanistan we need to do what is needed, but this time do it right, or will end up with another Taliban running things again.”
should have said; “No in Iraq and Afghanistan we need to do what is needed, but this time do it right, or we will end up with another Taliban running things again.”
Clarke Johnston
07.01.2012
Come home and rebuild America. President Eisenhower was SO correct about the Military Industrial Complex…..they’re driving us to bankruptcy over wars that we have no reason the be fighting. We got Bin Laden, come home. Stop foreign aid to Afghanistan AND Pakistan. Screw ‘em both. If you want to talk about a clear and present danger that presents a direct threat to Americans and our well being, let’s help Mexico wipe out the Drug Lords wreaking havoc on their country. Helping them would help us. Duh.
Chuck Sherman Jr
07.01.2012
I personally think we should pull all of our troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq and station them along the US/Mexico border!!!
Jacqueline King Romo
07.01.2012
:’(
Gloria Vazquez
07.01.2012
So much wasted money… not to mention wasted lives. Our service men and women deserve better than this! BRING our troops home, Mr. Obama!
Gloria Vazquez
07.01.2012
Chuck: I have thought the same for a very long time. Let’s get our military doing what they are supposed to do — defending our borders, not defending other nations.
Cheryl Dobbins
07.01.2012
and so who stands to profit here? A little logical deduction please.
Brock Young
07.01.2012
Military industrial complex? I don’t deny that the military spends a ton, but the term “military industial complex” is smoke and mirrors to keep people from seeing that it’s entitlement programs that are bankrupting this country. 73% of our federal dollars into entitlements, even at the height of OIF and OEF. At least those in the military earn what they have. What have the welfare dregs and political hacks done for this country?
I’d rather spend 100 million dollars on a couple of arty shells than subsidize a welfare case’s habit.
Gaye Hoots
07.02.2012
And loss of what is even more important than money—LIVES.
Shawna Bates
07.02.2012
Still conflicted…lol…
Rob Lamb
07.03.2012
They’ll be out of Afghanistan and into somewhere else. Perpetual war is good for business.
Max Entropy
07.06.2012
Here’s another fact:
Obama’s failed stimulous cost the taxpayer more than seven years of war in Iraq.
Cierra
11.07.2012
thank you so much. this helped me with my paper to a very generous soldier that is making where i live a better place.
akash
11.21.2012
i always liked u.s. army and the work. according to u.s. Economy. they have to save the money. and if they do. then they are saving millions to-gather. u.s. always spending millions and billions to war side. and today the nation is facing financial crisis. war never gives anything except dark.
if u.s. spend the money in their nation. then the nation will grow beautiful and strong. and once the nation is strong. then no
can touch it.
nick: ashshbud
12.16.2012
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