What Does the Military Do?

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Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, make their way through Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, back to Patrol Base Poole after completing Operation Mako, Sept. 21, 2010. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Mark Fayloga)
Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, make their way through Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, back to Patrol Base Poole after completing Operation Mako, Sept. 21, 2010. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

The military has many missions. Their primary mission, of course, is to defend the U.S. and its interests. Looking more closely, though, you can see that the military does a lot more than simply fight. Some examples of military missions include:

  • Rescue operations
  • Medical assistance in impoverished areas
  • Food and humanitarian relief
  • Security at embassies and other locations
  • Policing in volatile areas
  • Natural disaster relief
  • Law enforcement
  • Piracy and drug interdiction

The military is also the nation's biggest group of international ambassadors. As such, there is a great deal of responsibility and respect to show.

Find out more about service-specific missions here:

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