To help mark Military Appreciation Month, here are five facts about the U.S. armed forces.
1. The U.S. military is the nation’s largest employer. The armed forces employ more Americans than any other organization. The active duty, National Guard and Reserve components of all the armed services employ more than 2 million people. Walmart is the second-largest domestic employer with 1.5 million workers.
2. The Postal Service is consistently voted one of the most veteran-friendly employers. Viqtory, a media company that produces magazines and websites for veterans and service members, placed USPS fifth on its latest list of the top 10 government agencies and nonprofit organizations that employ veterans.
3. Walt Disney created a special logo for the Coast Guard during World War II. Featuring Donald Duck, the logo belonged to the Corsair Fleet, a Coast Guard auxiliary force given the mission of protecting America’s eastern shoreline.
4. The military helped map America. President Thomas Jefferson tasked Army Capt. Meriwether Lewis with exploring the newly purchased Louisiana Territory and the Pacific Northwest. Together, Lewis and veteran soldier William Clark shared command of the Army’s Corps of Discovery, which conducted an exploration and mapping expedition of the West from 1804-1806.
5. Thirty-one U.S. presidents served in the military. The Army, including state militias, claims the most number of former presidents, followed by the Navy. Neither the Marine Corps nor the Coast Guard have produced a commander in chief.
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