Understanding how to work with the U.S. military is essential for private investigators (PIs) conducting investigations involving military personnel, veterans, or military-related matters. The military operates under a distinct legal framework, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which differs from civilian law. PIs must be familiar with military procedures, jurisdictional boundaries, and how to access relevant resources while adhering to strict confidentiality and compliance standards.
Military investigations often involve background checks, fraud cases, missing persons, or service record verifications. For example, PIs may need to locate individuals who are active-duty service members or determine whether someone qualifies for specific military benefits. Collaborating with military agencies requires a clear understanding of military hierarchy, protocol, and the proper channels for submitting inquiries or requests for information.
Additionally, a PI must navigate unique challenges, such as understanding military timeframes and deployment statuses, which can impact case timelines. Knowledge of veteran organizations, military databases, and support networks can also prove invaluable.
By effectively working with the military, PIs can access critical information and build trust with clients connected to military communities. This expertise ensures thorough investigations while maintaining professionalism and respect for the armed forces’ distinct rules and culture.
The Armed Services
This article briefly overviews each armed forces branch and suggests additional resources for more information.
The Army
The United States Army is the branch of the United States Military responsible for land-based operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the military and one of seven uniformed services. The modern Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which was formed on 14 June 1775, before the establishment of the United States, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War.
Congress created the Army on June 14, 1784, after the war’s end, to replace the disbanded Continental Army. This military branch considers itself descended from the Continental Army and thus dates its inception from that force’s origins.
The primary mission of this military branch is to “provide necessary forces and capabilities in support of the National Security and Defense Strategies.” Control and operation of the US Army are administered by the Department of the Army, one of the three military departments of the Department of Defense.
The civilian head is known as the Secretary of the Army. The highest-ranking military officer in the Department is the Chief of Staff unless the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Army officers. Following are a few key stats:
- In 2008, the Army had 539,675 soldiers
- The Army National Guard (ARNG) reported that they had 360,351 soldiers
- The Army Reserve (USAR) reported 197,024 soldiers
- The combined component total is approximately 1,097,050 soldiers
For more up-to-date statistics, please visit one of the official websites below.
The most helpful website is the US Army Website. It provides information and resources, news, and information on life in the military. The site also offers interesting information on Army aircraft, weapons, and vehicles. Other helpful website includes the US Army Reserve Recruiting, which provides information on Reserve service options, careers, training, and employment opportunities. Another good site is the Association of The United States Army, an educational organization supporting America’s Army – Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees, and family members.
- Army Outreach – Provides a user-friendly way for the public to find events, access resources, and request event support.
- Army Recruiting Command – Responsible for operating both the Active and Reserve forces, ensuring security and readiness for our Nation. Recruiting operations are conducted throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and at US facilities in Germany and Asia.
- Army War College prepares selected military, civilian, and international leaders for strategic leadership responsibilities in a joint, inter-agency, intergovernmental, and multinational environment. The college and its associated institutes operate as a synergistic team supporting Army War College students and alums, all of whom serve as strategic leaders for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.
- US Army Center of Military History – Provides information on the History of the US Army.
- US Military Academy (West Point) – Renowned as the world’s premier leadership development institution. West Point accomplishes its mission by intellectually, physically, militarily, ethically, spiritually, and socially developing cadets. The student body, or Corps of Cadets, numbers 4,400, and each year, approximately 1000 cadets join the Long Gray Line as they graduate and are commissioned as second lieutenant in the US Army.
Army National Guard
The United States Army National Guard (USANG) is part of the US National Guard. It is divided into subordinate units stationed in the 50 states and territories and operates under their respective state governors.
State governors or territorial commanding generals may call the Army National Guard to active duty to respond to domestic emergencies and disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes. In recent years, the Guard has been called upon to help restore civil stability after riots in Baltimore, Maryland, Michigan, and Dallas, Texas. The Guard helps reinforce local law enforcement and provides a sense of security for residents.
With the consent of state governors, members or units of the Army National Guard may be appointed, temporarily or indefinitely, to be federally recognized armed force members in the active or inactive service of the United States. If federally recognized, the member or unit becomes part of the Army National Guard of the United States, a reserve component of the United States Army, and part of the National Guard of the United States.
Army National Guard of the United States units or members may be called for federal active duty during a Congress-sanctioned war or national emergency. The President may also call members and units of state Army National Guard, with the consent of state governors, to:
- Repel an invasion of the US by a foreign country or terrorist organization
- Suppress rebellion or danger of a rebellion by citizens against the authority of the federal government
- Execute federal laws if the United States or any of its states or territories are invaded or in danger of invasion by a foreign nation.
- Or if the President is unable, with the regular armed forces, to execute the laws of the United States
Because state and national units essentially go hand-in-hand, they are usually called the Army National Guard.
The Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare, space warfare, and cyber warfare branch of the United States military. The USAF is one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the Army, the Air Force was formed as a separate branch under the National Security Act 1947. The US Air Force is the most recent branch to be formed.
The US Air Force provides Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power with human-crewed aircraft, uncrewed combat air vehicles, air-launched cruise missiles, and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Its personnel are active duty in the Selected and Individual Ready Reserves and the Air National Guard. In addition, the USAF employs civilian personnel and has auxiliary members in the Civil Air Patrol.
The civilian Secretary of the Air Force heads the department, which oversees all administrative and policy affairs. The Department is a division of the Department of Defense, which the SecDepartmentds. The highest-ranking officer in the Department is the Chief of Staff.
Following are websites that providDepartmentormation about the USAF:
- The Official Website of the US Air Force provides a wealth of information on the USAF. Learn about how to start a career. Also, learn how to find someone in the service and access plenty of resources for those interested.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC)
The next branch of the United States Military is the Marine Corps (USMC). This branch is responsible for projecting force from the sea. It uses the Navy’s mobility to deliver combined-arms task forces to combat zones worldwide rapidly. The MC is one of seven uniformed military services in the United States.
The Marine Corps is a component of the Department of the Navy. Although it often works closely with US naval forces for training, transportation, and logistics, it is a separate branch in the leadership structure.
If you want more information, the following are some of the most popular websites and resources. The best place to start is the Marine Corps Website, which is the official website of the U.S. Marines Core. Here, you’ll find information on all aspects of this branch. You’ll find information on the history, the organizational structure, and the responsibilities of the corp. Of course, you can also find details on starting a corporate career. If you’re searching for that, you may want to begin your search at Marines.com, the official recruiting site. Other helpful resources include:
- Marine Corps Association – For all who have earned and worn the eagle, globe, and anchor, the Marine Corps Association is the professional organization for all Marines—active duty, Reserve, retired, and veterans. The MCA understands and identifies with the sacrifices and services rendered to this great country.
- Marine Corps JR ROTC – The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), like its senior counterpart ROTC, came into being with the signing of the National Defense Act. The act authorized high schools to loan federal equipment and the assignment of active or retired armed forces personnel as instructors on the condition that they followed a prescribed course of training. At its inception, the JROTC course consisted of at least three hours of weekly training for three years. Any JROTC graduate who completed this course of instruction was authorized a certificate of eligibility for a reserve Commission to be honored at age 21.
The Navy
The next branch of the United States Military is the Navy, responsible for conducting naval operations. The Navy’s mission is “to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas.” As of this writing, the US Navy has nearly 500,000 personnel on active duty or in the Navy Reserve, 278 ships in active service, and more than 4,000 aircraft.
The Constitution provided the legal basis for a seaborne force, giving Congress the power “to provide and maintain a navy.” In 1974, Congress passed the Naval Act of 179, which ordered the construction and manning of six frigate ships.
The US Navy became international prominence in the 20th century, especially during the Second World War. Operating in European and Pacific waters, this branch of the armed forces was involved in the conflict from the onset of American involvement, from the attack on Pearl Harbor to Japan’s official surrender aboard the USS Missouri.
The Navy played a key role in the Cold War, where it evolved into a nuclear deterrent and crisis response force while preparing for a possible global war with the Soviet Union.
The Navy maintains a sizable and consistent presence worldwide, deploying ships to East Asia, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. Its ability to project a show of force to the world’s regions, engage in forward areas during peacetime, and rapidly respond to regional crises makes it an active player in American foreign and defense policy.
Additional resources:
- Official Website of the US Navy – The official website provides information on the history, contact information, how to enlist, and much more.
Other Key Departments and Operations Related to the United States Military