The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to armed forces:

A military, also known collectively as an armed forces, are a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a distinct military uniform. They may consist of one or more military branches such as an army, navy, air force, space force, marines, or coast guard. The main task of a military is usually defined as defence of their state and its interests against external armed threats.

What type of thing are armed forces?

Armed forces can be described as all of the following:

Types of armed forces

• Armed services – military branches
  • Army
  • Air force
  • Navy
  • Marine Corps
  • Coast guard
  • National Guard
• Military units
  • Military units, by type
    • Special forces
    • Specialized forces
      • Gendarmerie
  • Military units, by service and size
    • Army units
      • Region
        • Army group, front (military formation)
          • Field army
            • Corps
              • Division
                • • Brigade
                  • Regiment
                    • Batallion
                    • Squadron
                    • Cohort
                      • Company
                        • Platoon
                          • Section
                          • Patrol
                            • Squad
                              • Fireteam
    • Naval units
      • Navy – all the vessels in a navy
        • Fleet
          • Battle Fleet
          • Task force
            • Task group
              • Squadron
              • Task unit
                • • Flotilla
                    • Task element
    • Air force units
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History of armed forces

History of armed forces

Armed forces of the world

Armed forces, by region

• List of militaries by country

Armed forces, by type

• List of air forces
• List of armies
• List of navies

Armed forces, by aspect

• List of militaries that recruit foreigners
• List of countries by military expenditures
• List of countries by number of active troops
• List of countries by size of armed forces
• List of countries without an army

Armed forces organizations

Persons influential in armed forces

See also

• Outline of military science and technology

References

External links

[[Category:Military| ]]
[[Category:Outlines|Armed forces]]