armed forces
Combined military branches
Armed forces are a country's military organizations—typically army, navy, and air force—responsible for national defense and warfare.
The term emphasizes these branches as a unified whole: She served twenty years in the armed forces.
Often used interchangeably with military, though armed forces sounds slightly more formal.
Maritime military force
- air forceMilitary aviation branch
- marinesNaval infantry soldiers
- coast guardMaritime safety and rescue service
- infantryGround combat troops
artillery · garrison · regiment · battalion · squadron · platoon · division · corps
Experienced former soldier
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
- draftPreliminary version of text
- bootcampInitial military training program
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
tour · duty · discharge · medal · honorable · conscription · active duty · reserve
Ceremonial emblems of authority
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- beretFlat wool cap
- medalsAwards for achievement
badges · epaulettes · fatigues · dress uniform · ceremonial · rank · patches · dog tags
Deliberate tactical movement
- flankingAt the sides of
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
infiltration · camouflage · patrol · scout · logistics · intelligence · strategy · formation
Combat engagement area
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
- assaultViolent offensive act
invasion · offensive · clash · conflict · ambush · siege · frontline · barrage
Temporary alliance for action
- pactFormal agreement between parties
- NATOWestern defense organization
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- alliesCooperative partners united together
diplomacy · summit · accord · entente · federation · bloc · peacekeeping · joint operations
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- protectionGuarding against harm
- securityProtection from threat
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
citadel · bastion · stronghold · bulwark · rampart · bunker · entrenchment · missile defense
navy
Maritime military force
- air forceMilitary aviation branch
- marinesNaval infantry soldiers
- coast guardMaritime safety and rescue service
infantry · artillery · garrison · regiment · battalion · squadron · platoon · division · corps · brigade
veteran
Experienced former soldier
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
- draftPreliminary version of text
- bootcampInitial military training program
deployment · tour · duty · discharge · medal · honorable · conscription · active duty · reserve · pension
regalia
Ceremonial emblems of authority
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- beretFlat wool cap
medals · badges · epaulettes · fatigues · dress uniform · ceremonial · rank · patches · dog tags · combat boots
maneuver
Deliberate tactical movement
- flankingAt the sides of
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
encirclement · infiltration · camouflage · patrol · scout · logistics · intelligence · strategy · formation · retreat
battlefield
Combat engagement area
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
assault · invasion · offensive · clash · conflict · ambush · siege · frontline · barrage · salvo
coalition
Temporary alliance for action
- pactFormal agreement between parties
- NATOWestern defense organization
- treatyBinding pact between nations
allies · diplomacy · summit · accord · entente · federation · bloc · peacekeeping · joint operations · interoperability
fortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- protectionGuarding against harm
- securityProtection from threat
- guardWatchful defensive attention
fortress · citadel · bastion · stronghold · bulwark · rampart · bunker · entrenchment · missile defense · deterrence
- Asian MilitariesJapanese Navy, PLAN, Gurkhas
- War Powerswar declaration, commander in chief, military action, troop deployment, emergency powers
- South Asian Conflictssurgical strikes, militancy, insurgency, border disputes, artillery duels
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- militarysoldiers, officers, navy, generals, air force
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, military strategy
armed forcescivilians
Non-military population
civilian population · civil society · non-combatants · private sector · citizenry
armed forcespeace corps
Civilian overseas service program
humanitarian organizations · peacekeepers · diplomatic corps · peace activists · pacifist movements
armed forcespeace movement
Campaign advocating nonviolent resolution
nonviolent resistance · pacifists · conscientious objectors · peacekeepers · diplomatic corps
army, arms, armor, armed, forces, troops, disarm, armored, firearm